Maritime Museum Seeks More Docents

The Ventura County Maritime Museum is looking for volunteers to begin training Sept. 4 to join the museum’s docents.

The 12-week sessions at the museum run from 9 to 11 a.m. every Thursday through Nov. 20 and will train volunteers to be museum tour guides and research assistants.

Volunteers will be taught by experts in areas such as history of the local harbors, sailing and navigation, European maritime history, maritime art and whaling.

Participants will also review the museum’s extensive collection of ship models, exhibits and art. “Normally [docents] are people who are retired,” said Thomas Thompson, the museum’s training coordinator. “However, we will take any age with time to commit to it. We’re not fussy.”

The museum has 70 docents, but many do not volunteer on a regular basis.

The training classes are free but there is a $15 charge for course materials.

Founded in 1991, the museum at 2731 S. Victoria Ave. hostsabout 25,000 visitors annually, according to Thompson.

Approximately 2,000 fourth- and fifth-grade students throughout Ventura County also take part each year in the museum’s education outreach program. For more information call 485-7784.