STUDENT DOCENTS:  Students earn while they learn at 
Texas State parks. Ahead on Passport to Texas.

This is Passport to Texas

Manuela Catano is the Park Superintendent at the Fort Leaton 
State Historic Site and manages a unique workforce – student
docents.
     
07— We work in conjunction with our local school district.  We can hire 
them as young as 14 years old

The program provides students a solid first job 
experience while they develop a range of marketable 
skills. Laura Jennings is a park ranger.

24— They apply for the position, we score the application, we will interview 
them and for many of the docents, this will be their first interview. So that in 
itself is a learning experience. [Omar] Before this I was a pretty much a shy 
person and it helped me open up and not be so shy when I meet new people. 
[Crystal] It really pushed myself to get out of a comfort zone… to try and 
focus on my communication skills.

Omar Udave and Crystal Camacho are part of a team of 
eight student docents

15— Omar: Well, a lot of questions are asking about the “carreton”, this big 
wagon we have back here; and I explain it to them.
Crystal: My favorite part of the tour is the dining room; the second owner, 
Edward Hall was actually shot in that room.

The student docent program is much more than a job.  It’s 
an opportunity to learn while teaching others
     
04  It’s the best job I’ve ever had.  We’re really thankful to have them

Volunteer at state parks. Find opportunities in the 
Volunteer section of the TPW website. 

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti. 





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