Have you ever wondered how you can give back to the community and help one of your local California State Parks at the same time? Become a Columbia State Historic Park docent.

A docent is a volunteer who has completed a training program with the park which includes history lectures, park etiquette and rules, costuming guidelines and more. Columbia is recruiting for costumed interpreters to help teach history to its visitors through reenactments, staffing exhibits and assisting with special events. A costume loan may be available to those interested.

The current docent program includes more than 60 active docents and an additional 100 volunteers from around the state who help on special event days. The park depends on its volunteers to staff certain buildings and be open for the public. You can help by donating your time. Fully-trained docents are asked to commit to eight hours a month or 96 hours total throughout the year. Shifts vary depending on job duty and seasons.

The park is now accepting applications through Jan. 15 for interested individuals. Call the park office at (209) 588-9128 or stop in at the museum to pick up an application. Training begins the last week in January and will run for five consecutive Saturdays. If you are a motivated individual who is interested in helping one of our beloved California State Parks, fill out an application today.