Regional Workshop Grant Winners

Congratulations to the following Region 4 members that each received full registration and lodging for the 2010 workshop in Midland, Michigan:  Haley Samuelson-Couchman (Gene Stratton-Porter State Park, IN), Michaele Klingerman (St. Joseph County Parks, IN), and Katie Nainiger (Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District, OH).  There were 16 applicants for three grants, and all of you were very deserving.  Thanks to all that applied!

Non-NAI Grant awarded for 2010! 

Congratulations to Jill Vance of Indiana Department of Natural Resources who received $500 to attend the National Speleological Society’s annual conference.  Jill will be presenting a fascinating program there about alternative ways of teaching people about caves without actually going into the caves.  This grant will be offered again in 2011, so watch the website and FourThought for future non-NAI workshop grants!

 Academic Scholarships

$1,000 academic scholarships plus full rides to the Regional Interpreter’s Workshop were awarded to two very worthy college students.  Congratulations to Paul Anderson attending The Ohio State University and Rachel Rossiter Smith attending Indiana/Purdue Fort Wayne.   Both students are extremely dedicated to and passionate about learning more about interpretation and both have already had the opportunity to work and volunteer in the interpretive fields.  Look for them at the RIW in Midland!

 Certification Grant Changes

We will no longer be offering four $125 certification grants.  That money will instead be used to help Region 4 host one of the professional certification classes.  The class topic, location, and date will be determined later this year.  Once again, watch the website and FourThought for future news on a certification class. 

National Workshop Grants