Fifteen years and running, Maricar’s Professional Tour Guide Training Program – Intensive Track is the best in the business and led by Maricar Donato, certified international guide trainer by the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations.
This 50-hour training program covers neighborhood walks, interpretive walks, guiding skills in museums and gardens as well as places of worship, and two sessions (16 hours) in a moving vehicle. Students of this course will up-level their guiding skills from rote information-telling to truly engaging the visitor with Tilden’s Six Principles of Interpretation, focusing on Top Visual Points (TVPs) to bring sculpture, art, and architecture to life; and using smart phone technology to evoke participation from tour participants of all ages and especially student tour groups.
Students of the Professional Tour Guide Training Program – Intensive Track increase guiding skills immediately and receive feedback from viewing recorded guiding sessions and teacher and student observation commentary. Planning skills are enhanced with technology through electronic resource usage and sharing.
The Professional Tour Guide Training Program – Intensive Track is a flexible program with ongoing enrollment perfect for those with busy and changing schedules. Students can join the program at anytime and during any session knowing that the hours are tracked through to completion.
Two-hour study sessions, flexible on-going enrollment
Maricar’s WashingTours & Events also offers a supplemental study guide and two-hour study sessions that enhance and test one’s knowledge of Washington DC’s and nearby historical points of interest and visitor must-see attractions. Sessions are two hours each and take place year-round. Students can join at anytime and the cost of the Study Guide is included in the cost of the session(s).
The study sessions and guide also prepare students to take The Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, DC one-hour online Guild Assessment exam to join The Guild.