DOCENT PROGRAM
Volunteer at the California Oil Museum
Museum Docents volunteer their time to serve in a wide variety of positions at the Museum. There is a volunteer opportunity available now in your area of interest!
Areas include: Front desk greeting visitors, upstairs tours and school tours. As you volunteer you meet wonderful people from around the world and learn about fascinating local history- giving tours is a very uplifting experience!
Docents usually serve 1-2 days per month for 2-6 hours per day. You decide what suits your schedule and availability. A new docent trains with an experienced docent until skilled enough to provide service in their area of interest. We have docents of all ages from 15-90. Volunteer experience is great for resumes!
Please call the Museum and request to speak with the Museum Director about a volunteer opportunity.
Tour Docents
One of the important services provided by Museum volunteers is in the area of tours. Many visitors and tour groups come to the Museum to tour the second-story offices and the permanent petroleum exhibits of Keck Hall and the Rig Room. Tour Docents conduct tours of the upstairs area for visitors and explain the exhibits and answer questions about the downstairs. Some Tour Docents specialize, concentrating on giving tours of the changing exhibits or giving tours to school groups. You choose the area in which you feel most comfortable.
Front Desk Docents
One of the key components of the docent program is a group of volunteers known as Front Desk Docents. These volunteers staff the visitor desk, welcome visitors, handle admissions, provide directions and exhibit information, and assist with gift store purchases. They ensure that the Museum runs smoothly for visitors and, along with the Tour Docents, are the face of the Museum.
Education Team Docents
Our K-12 education programs are strengthened by our education team docents who help with school tours, and science-based workshops.
Project Docents
Volunteers serve in many areas of the Museum, including membership, bookkeeping, museum store, visitor information, library and archives, repair and maintenance, exhibits, and special projects. If you have an interest or hobby, we probably have an area that matches it- let us know!