We just implemented a Jr. Docent Program here so we've got a couple of 
thoughts for you. Our docents are more than just docents...they help in in 
just about all aspects of the museum. First...ages. We've set it at 12-18 
but I had thought to make the age even higher because we have one 12 year 
old who is just not mature enough for anything we give him. However, we also 
have a just about to turn 12 year old boy who is one of the most mature kid 
I've ever met and a 12 year old girl who is more mature than a couple of our 
16 year olds. So I would handle it on a case by case basis. The one thing I 
would have done differently would be not to make is so inclusive to "weed 
out" instances like this. But then that opens up a entirely new can of 
worms. Definitely get recommendations from each child's teachers. We require 
at least 3. We started out with 20 kids, which seems like a huge number, but 
after 6 months we're down to about 7 really good reliable kids. We also had 
a lock-in at our facility were they received most of their initial training 
and so that the kids could get to know each other and more importantly we 
got to know them. We played team building games (although I don't think the 
kids realized this) and it was a good measure of each child's maturity level 
and sociability and we were able to gage what type of responsibilities they 
were given. All in all, its worth the hard work! We've got a new group of 
kids/parents/grandparents/friends who come to our museum that would not have 
thought to come in any other circumstance. And it has gotten us some great 
free publicity.

Diane Hutsell
Executive Director
Living Heritage Museum


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J.E. Mccormck" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 11:17 AM
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Jr. docent Programs


> Greetings:
>
> I would like to implement a Jr. Docent program at our
> museum, and decided to hear from other museum
> professionals what works, what mistakes to avoid, as
> well as ages, days and times that work best. This will
> help me organize and plan a program that will succeed.
>
> Thank you in advance!
>
> Jan McCormick
> MOAS, Curator of Hisotry
>
> Nick Charles: I'm a hero. I was shot 2 times in the Tribune.
> Nora Charles: I read where you were shot 5 times in the tabloids.
> Nick Charles: It's not true. He didn't come anywhere near my tabloids.
>
> The Thin Man
>
>
>
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