Sonoma State Historic Park offers docent training

The Sonoma State Historic Park is seeking volunteer docents for its Mission San Francisco Solano, and will be holding docent training on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20.

The Mission, built in 1823, is the most northern of the 21 Franciscan Missions of Alta California, and the only one built under Mexican Government rule. Docents are trained volunteers who explain the Mission’s exhibits and history to park visitors, and they lead public tours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Volunteering offers many benefits, including meeting new and interesting people, enhancing public speaking skills, being involved with the community, participating in special events and discovering California’s rich history.

Two full days of training is provided and will be held in Sonoma on Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20. After training, a commitment of three hours a month is required. The free training is sponsored by California State Parks in cooperation with Sonoma/Petaluma State Historic Parks Association.

To sign up for the training and become a volunteer docent, email or call Supervising Ranger Vincent Anibale at vincent.anibale@parks.ca.gov or 938-9553.