Deadline nears for Columbia park docent training

Monday is the deadline to apply for the next round of training to become a Columbia State Historic Park docent.

The park is recruiting for costumed interpreters to help teach history to its school-age children at the historic schoolhouse, staff exhibits and the museum visitor center and assist with special events. A costume loan may be available to those interested.

A docent is a volunteer who has completed a training program with the park, which includes history lectures; park etiquette and rules; and costuming guidelines.

The current program includes more than 50 active docents and an additional 100 volunteers from around the state who help on special-event days.

The park depends on its volunteers to staff certain buildings and be open for the public. Fully trained docents are asked to commit to eight hours a month or 96 hours total throughout the year. Shifts vary depending on job duty and seasons.

Call the park office at 209-588-9128 or stop in at the museum to pick up an application. Training begins Sept. 12 and will run for six consecutive Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This story was originally published September 3, 2015 at 8:23 AM with the headline "Deadline nears for Columbia park docent training."