Rancho Los Cerritos welcomes your interest!

Every year, volunteers contribute over thousands hours of community service to the Rancho Los Cerritos Historical Site. The Rancho's educational and community programming would not be possible without the help and support of our dedicated volunteers. Thank You.

Volunteer Application

Teen Volunteers
Enthusiastic, reliable teens can earn service learning credits while helping with summer camps, assisting with behind-the-scenes museum needs, or joining our RLC Teen Docent Program in the Fall.

Contact the Education Office at (562) 570-1755 to learn more!

Upcoming Opportunities:

Living History Docent Training

Saturdays, January 28 - March 31, 2012

9:30 am - 12:30 pm (10 week training)

To enroll or for more information, call (562) 570-1755

Ever wished you could

time travel? 

Or perhaps you’ve always longed to have a conversation with a famous historical figure – or an ancient relative – to find out what life was like in their day? 

Rancho Los Cerritos is seeking volunteers to “become” rancheros, housewives, field hands, sheepherders, cooks, gardeners, or housemaids, and then present these unique accounts of Rancho life to the general public.   

This ten-week training course will include a detailed look at Rancho Los Cerritos’ history, architecture, collections and gardens. Additionally, volunteers will select an historical persona and explore the world of living history interpretation through character development, storytelling, interactive games, and improvisation techniques.  By the end of training, our new living history docents will be so immersed in the customs, manners, morals and costumes of their chosen character and time period that they will be ready to share the Rancho’s unique stories with visitors of all ages!

Minimum Requirements: 

Volunteer one afternoon per month.

Pre-registration required; call (562) 570-1755.

Garden Docent Training

Fridays, Beginning February 24

9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Free with FRLC Membership

Discover the historic gardens at Rancho Los Cerritos and become a volunteer garden docent.  This is a perfect opportunity for garden lovers who want to share their joy of plants with visitors from near and far!  The serene 4.7 acres of landscaped grounds include trees from the mid-19th century, historic roses, exotic vegetation, an herb garden, an adobe horno and an old water tower. Learn about the early development of the gardens, their renovation in the 1930s by landscape architect Ralph Cornell, and new garden restoration work as you explore hundreds of varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers in docent training. 

You will have the opportunity to work closely with our horticulturist

as she takes you on an enlightening, educational experience during the training sessions.  Upon completion of the course, you will be equipped with the knowledge to give garden tours on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, and to teach visitors about the rich history of the Rancho grounds.

Click here to view our flyer

Call for more information, (562) 570-1755

Volunteer Opportunities Coffee

Saturday, January 14, 2012, 10:00 am

The Rancho is seeking new volunteers for a variety of program opportunities during its “Volunteer Opportunities Coffee.” 

Find out how you can become a tour docent, help with the historic gardens, work on the historical collections, conduct research, or assist with the museum gift shop.  You will also learn about the Rancho’s educational programs and events, including our award-winning fourth grade school program Adobe Days Revisited, and our seasonal events, Christmas Candlelight Tours, Summer Concert Series and Mud Mania. 

This is a great way to make new friends, see how a museum operates “behind-the-scenes,” learn about local history and antiques, and give back to your community in a meaningful way.

For reservations, call (562) 570-1755.

Did you miss these volunteer opportunities?
Check back for future dates!

Rancho Los Cerritos Teen Docent Program

First Meeting: Thursday, October 13, 4-6pm.

RLC Teen Docents meet every Thursday,

October - May, from 4-6 p.m.

An exciting service learning opportunity for high school students!  RLC Teen Docents make Long Beach's past come alive by giving tours, organizing events and archiving history!

 The RLC Teen Docent Program is designed for

motivated high school students who want to improve

their communication skills, enhance their knowledge of local history, and be introduced to exciting career options in museum education
and public history. View our flyer

For an application or more information, please call (562) 570-1755.

School Docent Training

Wednesdays, September 28 - November 16, 2011,

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (8 week training)
 

Application required; for more information, call (562) 570-1755

Make an impact on children by becoming a school docent at Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site.   Adobe Days Revisited tours for 4th grade students are offered Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, October - June, 9:30am - Noon. 

"I learned more about California history and portraying living history programs, and I have many different people and had some wonderful experiences.”
- Marcia Harris, School Docent

Click here to view the School Docent flyer.

Teen Volunteer Opportunities Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Time:10-11:30am.

Enthusiastic, reliable teens can earn service learning credits
while helping with summer camps, assisting with behind-the-scenes museum needs, or joining our RLC Teen Docent Program in the Fall.

VISITOR CENTER RECEPTIONIST

Wednesday-Sunday

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Free with Friends Membership

Application Required

Greet new visitors and provide them with a general orientation to the site. Training provided on a continual basis.

"I enjoy volunteering at the Rancho so much, it has opened a lot of new doors of interest to me. It has given me a purpose...We all have to have a purpose...” - Catherine Evans, Visitor Reception