DOCENT TRAINING
The Buena Vista Museum needs volunteers to serve as docents. Add interest to your life and help our community by taking advantage of the Museum’s free docent training. It is $75, with the training you receive Paleo workshop value $25, Membership value $25 at graduation Museum logo Polo shirt value $35 and a complete workbook /training guide.
What is a docent?
Docents lead tours and explain the displays to Museum guests. Docents are vital to the Museum’s programs and growth. They act as ambassadors for the Museum and, because they talk with the public whenever they volunteer, can be among our most visible of volunteers.
What are the benefits of being a docent?
- The joy of seeing kids’ eyes light up when they see the cool exhibits or learn the amazing facts and ideas the exhibits represent.
- A chance to help with the science education of America’s youth, the hope of our future.
- Satisfy your own curiosities about Kern County’s natural history
- Free Museum newsletters
- Free attendance at the Museum’s quarterly paleoworkshops
- Free BVMNH shirt and badge upon graduation
Who is a good candidate for docent training?
Anyone with an interest in natural history. And if you have friends with such an interest invite them, too! All you need is a healthy curiosity and a willingness to learn. You will be asked to commit to a minimum of three volunteer hours per month (or 12 hours per quarter).
The Museum provides all the training our docents need. This includes not only information on the exhibits, but also training on how to present the information and how to effectively interact with our guests.
Docent training is a three-part learning program.
Part one is classroom instruction that provides the knowledge you’ll need. You attend six three-hour classes, and study basic notes and references the Museum provides.
Part two is obtaining practical experience with an experienced docent during Museum tours. You will be paired with experienced docents on two separate days for four hours each of docenting at the Museum. They will help you apply your new skills in “real life” settings (exhibits, museum programs, special events, etc.). Once you have successfully completed parts one and two and successfully led a tour you will be certified as a full-fledged docent.
The third part, optional but strongly encouraged, is attending the Museum’s ongoing program on monthly lectures that provide additional, more detailed information on individual exhibits.
You can sign up online by visiting our application page at http://www.sharktoothhill.org/docent_form.html or calling the Museum at 661-324-6350. On-line applicants will be contacted to confirm their applications. Questions? Contact us at 661-324-6350 or e-mail buenavistamuseum@gmail.com
Printable Form:
Registration RTF
Mail to BVMNH
2018 Chester Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Donations are tax deductible
Click on the Cymbospondylus for more information
Contact us at: 661-324-6350
Address: 2018 Chester Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
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