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Alcatraz Historic Gardens Volunteer Docent Training

The Alcatraz Historic Gardens with the Power Plant seen in the background.
The Alcatraz Historic Gardens with the Power Plant seen in the background.

Ryan Curran White / Parks Conservancy

Alcatraz receives 1.5 million visitors a year from all over the world, and most of them are not expecting to see colorful gardens flourishing on an island known for the maximum security prison. As a garden docent, you would welcome visitors into the gardens, share the stories of those who created and tended the gardens, and share the garden preservation work that was done. Our work also educates people about gardens as healing places, especially for those currently incarcerated.

We invite you to be a part of the mandatory training:

Training Dates

Saturday, February 1; 8am – 12:30pm

Saturday, February 8; 8am – 12:30pm

An outline of the training days will be sent ahead of time with required reading, and all details of the day will be sent as well.

Docent commitment

  • We are looking for people who are comfortable in speaking with a diverse public.
  • Public speaking experience is great but not required.
  • Be able to volunteer a minimum of 2 days a month.
  • A volunteer day is usually 4 hours including travel time to/from Pier 33 to Alcatraz. Once trained, docents are able to create their own schedule.
  • Be able to attend both training sessions.
  • Be able to be independent once given clear training and guidance.
  • Location
  • Park
  • Activity
  • Service

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