Docent Training and Volunteering
Do you love art and history? Are you interested in the history of our Mission churches? If you answered “YES” to these questions, then El Camino de San Antonio wants YOU for its new Volunteer and Docent Program.
El Camino de San Antonio Missions welcomes individuals who would like to volunteer their time to assist in a variety of areas. We cannot be successful without the dedicated volunteers that serve and welcome all visitors and pilgrims. All volunteer positions are unpaid: background checks and training are required.
Docents
A docent is a mission expert who goes beyond just describing items and sharing facts inside each mission. They have a sincere interest in art, history and the Catholic Church, though no formal background is required. Docents seek to engage people and conduct the most interactive, inquiry-based encounter possible. Becoming a docent is a commitment. We ask that docents commit to a minimum of one 2 hour shift per month for a minimum of one year.
The role of a docent is three-fold.
- They serve as hosts to provide a welcoming atmosphere. In many cases they are the Mission’s “front-line” or main human representatives.
- They serve as interpreters of the history and liturgical aspects of the Mission’s.
- Docents assist in preserving the Mission’s by providing auxiliary security on the grounds of the Missions.
Margil Center Volunteers
El Camino de San Antonio Missions welcomes friendly people who can engage in dialogue with a variety of tourists and pilgrims. Volunteers will assist staff in various roles to include: children’s activities, answering questions and registering pilgrims for pilgrimages, gift shop assistance, materials preparation, special events, etc.
We ask that volunteers commit to at least one 2 hour shift per month for a minimum of six months.
Benefits of Volunteering or Becoming a Docent
While the Missions is obviously the major beneficiary in this situation we hope that docents and volunteers also benefit from the knowledge, history, educational opportunities and camaraderie provided by the docent program.
In addition, docents and volunteers will receive:
- Automatic subscription to the El Camino de San Antonio Missions Newsletter
- Invitation to the annual Docent & Volunteer Dinner with Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S
- Letters of Recommendations for Students
- 10% discount in the Pilgrimage Center Gift Shop
Docent & Volunteer Application Process
To become a docent or volunteer with El Camino de San Antonio Missions:
- Complete and submit your application online. Each application must use a unique email address. No email can be used more than once.
- Complete the required background check
- El Camino de San Antonio Missions partners with the Office of Victim Assistance and Safe Environment for the Archdiocese of San Antonio (OVASE). All docents and volunteers are required to complete the three mandatory online trainings before the start of your first shift. The three trainings are:
- Sexual Harassment Training
- Protecting God’s Children
- Vulnerable Adults Training
