Camron-Stanford House is looking for docents

Camron-Stanford House, the celebrated Victorian house museum on the shore of Oakland’s Lake Merritt, is looking for volunteers to join its docent program.

Docents undergo an intensive training process, which teaches good communicative and interpretive skills, and provides thorough learning about the house’s historical significance and its collections. Reading lists are provided to add to the information offered during training. Experienced docents assist and give feedback as new docents develop and practice their tours before ultimately conducting a tour on their own. A graduation celebration will be held at the conclusion of the training.

The training course lasts 9 weeks, beginning 27 February 2008 (makeup classes are available on video). Classes take place at the Camron-Stanford House on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Each class lasts two to two-and-a-half hours. There is also one Saturday morning optional field trip. Docent training requires the purchase of a $35 annual membership and a one-time course fee of $65.

To apply for the docent program, download an application form (pdf format). You can then either print, fill out, and fax it it to (510) 595-0886 or copy the contents to a word-processing document or your e-mail program, fill it out, and e-mail it to cshousedocent@yahoo.com.

If you have questions, contact Valerie Corvin, Docent Training Coordinator, (510) 604-0078.