Call for New Docents

Who are Docents?

Docents are trained volunteers who engage with diverse audiences at the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research (LTRR) through the sharing science stories to foster a better understanding and appreciation of dendrochronology. Docents are adults of all ages, walks of life, and educational backgrounds.

Docent Duties

A Docent’s primary responsibility is interpretating the science and practice of dendrochronology so that it is understandable, interesting, and meaningful to a variety of audiences. At the LTRR, this is accomplished through conducting tours, leading hands-on educational activities and games for K-12 and university students, answering questions about the exhibits, and supporting LTRR special events – both on and off campus. Docents are equally attentive to the needs of all visitors, other volunteers, and employees of the LTRR.

A successful Docent is friendly, adaptable, comfortable interacting with diverse groups of people, including children, excited to introduce people to the wonders of dendrochronology, and able to practice the LTRR’s safety procedures and protocols.

Docents make a one-year commitment to volunteer for at least 60 hours per calendar year. This equates to volunteering two (2) days a month for up to 2.5 hours each time, however many Docents choose to volunteer more frequently. Tours typically last 1.5 hours on the public facing side, with prep and clean up time before and after each engagement. On-site classes with students run from 1-2.5 hours. 

How are Docents trained?

Docents at the LTRR are always learning, but the initial Docent Training requirement involves 1) attending in-person training in the basics of dendrochronology, 2) completing independent study sessions, and 3) partaking docent tour shadowing. Subsequent docent training sessions are offered three (3) times each semester, and usually involve an in-depth presentation by a researcher on specific topics.

In-Person Training:

The initial In-person docent training is offered annually in January. New docents are required to attend the 8 weekly classes which will take place every Wednesday 9A-11:30AM, for a total of 20 hours. For every subsequent semester, docents will be offered specific content training three times a semester.

All classes will take place at the LTRR. When feasible, portions of these classes will be filmed and posted online. Docent Trainees unable to attend in-person will still be able to participate in the program by viewing the training recordings on an internet-connected device at home.

Independent Study:

At-home study will consist of online trainings and videos, as well as self-paced readings and homework. Many of these at-home assignments may be completed at the leisure of the student during their training cycle.

Docent Tour Practice:

After completing the initial training, new docents must then shadow existing docents on a minimum of two (2) tours and K-12 Laboratory visits. Once docents have completed these trainings, they will partake in tour practice with the Community Outreach Professional.

New docents will be supervised by docent mentors during these practice sessions until they feel comfortable being on their own. New docents will be able to schedule themselves for their on-grounds practice sessions as their schedules allow and are welcome to complete this portion of their training on any day of the week.

Interested in becoming a Tree-Ring Lab Docent?

We are currently accepting applications for a new Docent Class which will begin training on January 15, 2025. People interested in applying for the Docent Program at the LTRR should complete an online application form.  For more information, please contact Dr.  Pamela Pelletier – pamela@arizona.edu