Overview

Rancho Los Cerritos is seeking volunteer docents to guide school tours, particularly for fourth-grade students. The historic site in Long Beach aims to educate young learners about native Californian history and the local area.

Robert Martinez, a retired professional with a diverse background, shares his experience as a docent, emphasizing the rewarding connection he forms with students during tours.

Key details

  • Rancho Los Cerritos is a historic site and museum located on 4.7 acres in Long Beach.
  • The site focuses on sharing native Californian history, especially related to the local area.
  • Elementary school students, particularly fourth-graders, are the primary audience for field trips.
  • Field trips have been offered for nearly five decades at the site.
  • Volunteers and donors support the programming, ensuring that participation remains free for schools.
  • Transportation costs for schools are also covered by the organization.
  • Docents present tours in character and often wear costumes to enhance the educational experience.
  • Students learn about the indigenous Tongva group, who occupied the land before the Rancho.
  • Tour content includes a garden tour demonstrating local resource utilization.
  • House tours educate students on historical laundry practices.
  • The tours align with fourth-grade history standards, providing enriching engagement.
  • Volunteer coordinator Laura Willbanks highlights the importance of these tours for student learning.

Context

The Rancho Los Cerritos historic site has a longstanding tradition of educating young students about the region's history, relying on the dedication of volunteers to facilitate these enriching experiences.

What happens next

The Rancho Los Cerritos will continue its search for volunteer docents to enhance the educational programs and maintain the quality of the tours offered to local schools.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific number of volunteers needed, the training process for new docents, and any upcoming events or initiatives related to the volunteer program are not confirmed.