Mentor System: Requirements for Walk/talk Docents;
Apprenticing as a Walk/talk Docent for Adventures with Nature (AWN);
Sign Off (requirements, process, and form)

Requirements for Walk/talk Docents                                              5/07

  1. Desire to present the natural science wonders of the California State Parks to the public through walks or talks.

  2. Ability to communicate clearly to a wide spectrum of the public.

  3. Commitment to attend walk docent training and continuing education opportunities presented by the organization and to self-study topics that pertain to your walks.

  4. Complete the reading of 333.7014. Ham, Sam Ham’s Environmental Interpretation, chpts 1-5. Additional suggested reading in Interpretation for the 21st Century, 2nd ed., pp. 1-56, 97-115 and 155-161.

Apprenticing as a Walk/talk Docent for Adventures with Nature (AWN)

To insure a high quality of interpretive programs in the District State Parks the Docent Council shall maintain the following policy and procedure for volunteers to become walk/talk docents (all docents who conduct interpretive walks, talks or programs for the public). Following completion of the basic training provided for all docents:

  1. An experienced presentation docent must consent to become the mentor for the apprentice docent and will notify the AWN Chair of this action.

  1. The apprentice docent shall attend the selected presentation (walk/talk) several times and study the walk/talk outline. When the mentor and apprentice agree that s/he is ready, the apprentice will give a part of the presentation and the mentor will do the remainder.

  1. The apprentice will make the full presentation with the mentor attending, when both agree that the apprentice is ready for this step. This will be followed by a critique of the presentation by the mentor and apprentice.

  1. The mentor will notify the State Park  Interpreter and the AWN Chair that the apprentice is qualified to give the presentation alone when ready for this step.

  1. On occasion, because of special expertise and experience, an apprentice docent may be qualified to design a new walk/talk and/or revive a dormant presentation with prior approval of the State Park Interpreter.  Mentoring and critiquing may or may not be deemed necessary by the Interpretive Specialist.

  1. When outlining a new walk/talk (including a theme) the outline must be presented to the State Park Interpreter and the AWN Chair for approval prior to giving the walk

 SIGN OFF

____________________________________  has completed all of the steps outlined above and has satisfactorily completed a walk with the mentor docent.

 

____________________________________                    ______________
(Mentor)                                                                                           (date)

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