UGA Cooperative Extension
Bamboo Farm & Coastal Gardens: BFCG Docent Training Program
“… hosts, mentors teachers, guides and facilitators.”
What is a Docent?
Docents are trained volunteers. They serve as facilitators, teachers, hosts, mentors, and guides. Docents differ from regular volunteers in that they are trained by BFCG for a special set of responsibilities.
Participants must apply and be accepted into the program. They will receive seven weeks of special training on details of the mission, plants, programs, collections, historical significance and events of the BFCG.
Why be a Docent?
Benefits include: experiences with horticultural experts in the training program; ongoing training programs for docents-only; satisfaction of providing community services and sharing your special knowledge; chance to interact with visitors to BFCG on many levels; supporting the programs of BFCG and contributing to a good visitor experience. Docents will wear a special vest and/or badge to denote your special status as a trained volunteer.
How do I become a Docent?
Fill out an application. Complete seven 3-hour training programs. Agree to attend six additional hours of docent training in the next 12 months.
Docent candidates should be prepared to commit to 48 volunteer hours in the next 12 months. Work is primarily from January-May and September – December.
When does this begin?
The program begins in the Fall of 2007 and will be implemented in three phases. You can participate at all phases or only in the ones that interest you.
Phase One -Garden Guide Docent
You are the face of BFCG. You will greet and assist visitors with wayfinding, answer general questions and provide information on specific programs going on that day. You will provide maps and handouts and assist visitors to Savannah in locating places and activities of interest. In your capacity as tour guide, you will lead scheduled tours for groups or individuals. Work is typically scheduled from 10 am until 2 pm. We would like to have a Garden Guide Docent on duty at least four days each week.
Phase One begins Fall 2007
Phase 2 -Education Docent
You will work with visitors of all ages in the BFCG’s educational programs such as Roots & Shoots, horticulture training and others.
Phase 2 begins Spring 2008
Phase 3
-Collections & Interpretation Docents
You will be trained to provide interpretation of special collections and display gardens; and to assist staff horticulturists in the upkeep of the plant collections, gardens and other public spaces.
Phase 3 begins Summer 2008
Curriculum topics include:
Bamboo Farm: From 1917 – 2007
All about palms and bamboo
Roses, camellias, daylilies and lotus
Diagnostic tests from UGA
Gold Medal plants
CCLP testing and training
Roots & Shoots, Master Gardener and other programs
Xeriscape Gardens and water-wise landscapes
Friends of Coastal Gardens
Research projects
2008 Docent Class begins September 10 and runs through October 22. Class meets Wednesday mornings in the Classroom building from 9 am to noon at the Bamboo Farm.
For more information download the Docent Brochure (.doc)
