The Matthaei Botanical Gardens seeks volunteers to be trained as docents for children’s programs. Through these programs, including field trips, after-school programming and weekend workshops, docents pass on knowledge about nature and connect with future generations of environmental stewards.
Judy Magee, who has been a docent for 10 years, loves to share the gardens with her grandchildren when they come to visit. “It’s such a wonderful place to connect with nature,” she says. For anyone who enjoys kids and sharing knowledge and insights with them, it’s easy to apply to the program, Magee adds.
Elizabeth Glynn, the Children’s Program coordinator, says that those interested in becoming docents don’t need experience working with children, just a desire to learn and teach. All future docents will be taught the skills required for their job in eight weeks of training classes that begin Jan 17.
People with a wide variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Previous docents have included U-M staff, faculty from Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College, engineers, stay-at-home moms, nurses, and retirees from high school or middle school education.
“The kind of teaching that we do here is informal education, so each docent can have his or her own unique style of interpretation based on their life experiences,” Glynn says. “Potential docents don’t need a particular background, just a passion for learning and a desire to share their knowledge with children.”
Interested applicants should attend one of two information sessions held from 1-2:30 p.m. Dec 14 and 16 at the Botanical Gardens. For more information or to submit an application, contact the volunteer coordinator by calling 734-647-8528 or via e-mail at [email protected].
