Learning Laguna Docent Training- Spring 2020

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Learning Laguna Docents are trained volunteers who teach the Learning Laguna school program in 2nd-4th grade classrooms throughout the watershed and during student field trips to Laguna preserves. Help the children of our community deepen their enthusiasm, appreciation and knowledge of the Laguna de Santa Rosa and their home environment!

Date: Docents volunteer year-round and especially in the Fall and Spring

Time: Docents teach during school hours (7:30 AM - 2:00 PM). Classroom visits are 2 hours (usually in the morning) and field trips to the Laguna are 3 hours, also in the morning. After training, the time commitment is approximately 20 hours in the spring and 20 hours in the fall (and more hours are welcome!)

Location: Schools within the Laguna Watershed and Laguna Preserves

Required Experience & Qualifications: Completion of the docent training course offered annually.

Cost: $145 for materials. Payments can be arranged and limited partial scholarships are available.

Expand and share your love of nature and nurture the next generation of naturalists! Docents lead groups of school children in the Learning Laguna program, a two-part wetland education experience for 2nd-4th grade students. Docents visit classrooms throughout the Laguna Watershed with specially designed, hands-on, engaging activities, then lead those students on an experiential field trip to the Laguna the following week.

Becoming a docent is a fun and enriching way to make new friends and contribute to the community! Experts in biology, natural history, and environmental education train Learning Laguna docent volunteers in lively classes and field trips. Training classes include presentations, discussion, hands-on practice with activities, plus birding and vernal pool outings.

The ~60 hour training program meets on 7 Mondays and 2 Thursday evenings beginning March 16, ending May 11, 2020. Once training begins you will choose your own dates to shadow working docents during two Learning Laguna classroom visits and two field trips to put all the course work into context. Shadowing is approximately 12 hours of the training commitment. Additionally, trainees receive a binder with reading and reference material that is closely tied with the theme of each class. Plan for approximately 90 minutes of reading each week. The cost for training is $145.00. However, we do not want cost to be a barrier. Please contact us if you would like to discuss payment plans or a sliding scale.

After the training course you will begin working with students the following fall. Docents are asked to make a two-year, minimum 40 hours per year volunteer commitment to the Laguna Foundation, primarily in the spring and autumn. Because the program is focused around the classroom and school year, it requires that docents be able to volunteer during school hours (7:30am-2:00pm), Tuesday through Friday. Docents are part of the Laguna Education Team which includes fun opportunities for continuing education, special outings and social events with fellow education programs volunteers.

Orientations are a great way to find out if becoming a Learning Laguna docent is right for you and serve as the introductory training session. Each orientation will be the same so choose the date and time that works for you, then register to attend. Meet in Heron Hall at the Laguna Environmental Center:

Monday, January 27, 2020 from 10 AM - Noon
Monday, February 10, 2020 from 10 AM - Noon
Thursday, February 27, 2020 from 3:00-5:00 PM

We invite you to join us for this rich and rewarding experience!

Questions? Contact Christine Fontaine, Director of Education
Phone: (707) 527-9277 x102
Email: christine@lagunafoundation.org