2020 Training Sessions

Whale Festival 2020 is right around the corner, and we are looking for volunteers! If you’d like the opportunity to showcase the beauty that is Point Cabrillo at our upcoming events, we would love to have you. Our only requirement is that you take the time to come and learn with us!

Every year, the Point Cabrillo Light Station offers training sessions to current and future volunteers, in order to prepare for the upcoming Whale Festival Lens Tour season. This year’s Whale Festivals at Point Cabrillo will be on March 7th and 8th, and March 21st and 22nd. Our classes and training sessions cover everything from whale migration to Mendocino Coast history, and you can peruse those opportunities to learn below.

Simply reach out to the contact person for the volunteering gig you’re interested in, and then show up that day to learn!

PLEASE RSVP if you possibly can so we have sufficient copied materials and we know each training is a go. Last minute additions are welcome.

General Point Cabrillo and First Assistant Lightkeeper’s House History

Saturday, February 8th
10am to Noon
Explore the stories and history of the lightkeepers that lived and worked at Point Cabrillo Light Station in Mendocino, California. Meet downstairs at The First Assistant Lightkeeper’s House, the furthest East of our three lightkeepers’ homes.
Contact: Ruth Walsh (drjohnw@att.net) or Ginny Wade (wwade@mcn.org).

Frolic History

Saturday, February 15th
1pm to 3pm
How to tell engaging stories, using Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the Frolic (Edward H Faucon, Jerome Ford), the lighthouse and lightkeepers, and Layton’s rediscovery of the Frolic shipwreck in the late 20th century.

We’ll also dive into the lighthouse restoration, the recommissioned lens, our partnerships with State Parks and Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers Association for storylines, episodes and characters/heroes that made this park what it is today. Meet upstairs at the First Assistant Lightkeeper’s House, the furthest East of our three lightkeepers’ homes.
Contact: Robert Becker (rbecker@cal.net).

Whale Docent Training

Saturday, February 22nd
10am to 3pm
We will focus on using the adaptations and natural history of the Eastern Pacific Gray Whale to illuminate and connect people to this fascinating marine mammal. This training will get you ready for the questions that come during the two weekends of Whale Festival 2020, and allow you to be more confident in spotting and pointing out the whales that pass by our Light Station! Meet upstairs at The First Assistant Lightkeeper’s House, the furthest East of our three lightkeepers’ homes.
Contact: Tanya Smart (Tanya.Smart@comcast.net).

Light Station and Restoration History for Walking and Bus Tours

Saturday, February 29th
10am to Noon
This is a walking tour training or refresher, for docents interested in leading or participating in walking tours or bus tours that come through Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park. Learn how to meet and engage groups with stories about Point Cabrillo’s development and restoration. Meet in the upper parking lot, at the Kearn’s Farmhouse. Wear weather-appropriate clothes and walking shoes.
Contact: Tanya Smart (Tanya.Smart@comcast.net).

Lens Tour Training/Refresher

Saturday, February 29th
1pm to 3pm
Discover the history of the 3rd Order Fresnel Lens at Point Cabrillo, and how this Federal Aid to Navigation functions today. Be a part of the team that helps with ten lens tours of 2020, a significant source of income for PCLK, and always a fun way to participate at the lighthouse.

Both new AND experienced lens tour docents are strongly encouraged to attend, in order to keep lens tour days moving smoothly and efficiently, with all the correct information.
Contact: Steve Nilson (snilson_mendo@sbcglobal.net). (underscore between nilson and mendo)

If you want to attend both trainings on February 29th, bring a sack lunch for the break.

Marine Science Docent Training

TBD
Experience the Marine Science exhibit and learn about the organisms that live in the salt water aquarium. This training is on a case-by-case basis, and if you’re interested in interpreting the aquarium at Point Cabrillo, please contact Sarah Grimes to learn more!
Contact: Sarah Grimes (707-813-7925)

Set Up for Whale Festival

Set Up: Help get Point Cabrillo Light Station ready for the Whales and their Watchers – contact admin@pointcabrillo.org for flexible dates and times.