Anyone who enjoys interacting with people, has a curiosity about the Chesapeake Bay, and would like to help promote the Bay's cultural heritage is welcome to participate in volunteer docent/interpreter training at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. The Museum is offering a 10-week docent training program beginning Thursday, February 3 which prepares participants to lead group tours, interpret the Museum's exhibits, and assist at special events. Once individuals complete the training program, they are able to provide much-needed assistance to the Museum staff in many unique and interactive ways. This program is offered once a year and is free of charge.
Currently the Museum has a docent/interpreter corps of over 80 members. Participating in this training program is a great way to meet others and connect with those who share an interest in the Chesapeake Bay.
CBMM Education Coordinator Rachel Rébert leads the docent training sessions, which are held each Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The session topics range from learning about the Museum's exhibits and collections to developing group tour techniques.
The following schedule is tentative; a finalized and more detailed schedule will be provided at the first session:
Thursday, February 3 Welcome, Introductions, Review of Interpreter Guidebook
Thursday, February 10 Understanding Interpretation and the Role of the Interpreter; Staff/Museum Walking Tour
Thursday, February 17 Theme Tours; Tour: People and the Bay
Thursday, February 24 Interpretive Techniques; CBMM Library Tour
Thursday, March 3 Exhibition Learning: Bay History and Oystering
Thursday, March 10 Exhibition Learning: Waterfowling and Waterman's Wharf
Thursday, March 17 Tour: Bay Bounty; Working with Children
Thursday, March 24 Evaluation Techniques; Tour: Bay Discovery
Thursday, March 31 Individual Tour Development
Thursday, April 7 Wrap-Up and Next Steps
CBMM docents provide invaluable support to the Museum in its mission to promote a deeper understanding of the Chesapeake Bay region and its history. Docent duties include guiding Museum visitors and providing a memorable and positive visit; staffing individual exhibitions and leading demonstrations, classes, and special events as needed; attending training sessions and monthly meetings; and promoting the Museum and its mission to others. Many docents have expressed that volunteering at the Museum is one of their most gratifying experiences, and that engaging Museum visitors from across the country and around the world is inspiring and fulfilling work.
To enroll in the Museum's 2005 docent training program which begins on February 3 or to receive more information about the program, contact Rachel Rébert at 410-745-2916, ext. 133 or via email at rrebert@cbmm.org. Additional information about the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum can be found at www.cbmm.org.
Posted: 1-15-2005
