The Los Altos History Museum is taking applications from high school students for its summer Teen Docent Program. Located next to the Los Altos Library, student docents will give tours to visitors of the museum exhibits and the J. Gilbert Smith House, and greet visitors at the front entrance.
“We try to make it a really fun program and an opportunity for students to meet other people from other schools,” said the Teen Docent Program coordinator Lillie Moore. “Most of our students are outgoing and want to learn about history, while others are more shy, but this program really helps students break out of their shells.”
The Teen Docent Program provides volunteer hours and work experience. Los Altos High School sophomore Bryanna Dong has worked with Teen Docents since August 2023 and greatly enjoyed her experience.
“It’s nice to go and learn about Los Altos’s history and then teach other people about it,” Bryanna said. “It’s really chill and really fun, and you get to meet people from different schools.”
Summer applications are due on Friday, Apr. 12 for students in grades 9–12. If selected, students will be called in for a brief interview. Applicants must be willing to commit to a three-day training session planned for the end of June or early July. After that, the expectation is that docents will dedicate four hours a month during the summer.
Besides guided tours, students are encouraged to participate in summer activities and events, attending festivals or monthly lectures from staff members. Doing so allows students to serve as Youth Ambassadors and Representatives on the Board of Directors for the museum, providing students with an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and gain valuable experience to add to their resumes.
“It’s super fulfilling to interact with people in the community, and you get to meet guests from all over the world,” said current Teen Docent sophomore Elaine Choi. “This program really allows you to cultivate a greater appreciation for Los Altos history.”
For more information or to apply to the program, visit losaltoshistory.org/TeenDocentProg.
