National Park Service Offers Free Volunteer Docent Training Class

Park docent assisting visitors aboard the 1886 Balclutha.

NPS

News Release Date: April 7, 2015

Contact: Mark Neuweld, 415-561-7174

An Introduction to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Sundays, May 3 & May 17, and Wednesday, May 6 from 10 am to 4 pm

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (NHP) is offering a free training course for those interested in joining the park’s volunteer docent program. Participants will learn the diverse stories preserved by the park’s collection of authentic 19^th-century ships and chart a new course as a guide and steward of this unique “floating national park.” The training will introduce participants to maritime history, the park’s historic ships and research center, and the art of presenting public programs. This course takes place on two Sundays: May 3 and May 17, and on Wednesday, May 6, from 10 am to 4 pm. The course will include additional on-site training to be scheduled later in May.

Docents will have the rewarding opportunity to share their knowledge with park visitors through educational programs and informal contacts while working both indoors and outdoors on the beautiful San Francisco Bay waterfront. Volunteers at San Francisco Maritime NHP gain free access to a variety of fun and interesting park activities, including sailing trips on the Bay aboard Alma, an 1891 scow schooner that once carried hay and other bulk goods.

Reservations are required for this free training. To register or to request more information, please contact Mark Neuweld, Supervisory Park Ranger, at 415-561-7174 or e-mail us.

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. The park includes a magnificent fleet of historic ships, Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and Aquatic Park Historic District. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016, the park seeks to connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates and invites visitors to join us in celebrating the Centennial milestone. Join the conversation on Twitter by tagging #FindYourPark. For more information, please call 415-447-5000 or visit nps.gov/safr, Twitter @SFMaritimeNPS, and facebook.com/SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP.

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