'A great gig': Cadet Chapel accepting volunteer docent applications

Volunteers are needed to serve as docents at the Cadet Wing Chapel at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The chapel staff hopes to double it's amount of volunteer staff by July 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Volunteers are needed to serve as docents at the Cadet Wing Chapel at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The chapel staff hopes to double it's amount of volunteer staff by July 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo)

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --

The Cadet Wing chaplain plans to double the chapel’s volunteer staff of docents by July.  

 

Docents help keep the chapel open to tens of thousands of visitors each year, said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Mike Newton.


“They enhance the visitor experience and promote continual care for this iconic structure,” he said.


Docents supplement memorials, funerals, reunions and weddings and play a significant part in cadet life, from Basic Cadet Training until graduation, Newton said.


“They don’t volunteer because they need a job, they volunteer to enhance the visitor experience, care for cadets and inspire concern for this powerful structure,” he said. “The guides are the stable anchors to this beautiful chapel. Docents are the supporting cast.”


The chapel began its volunteer docent program when its budget was cut early last year.


“Cutbacks are common in the Air Force as we meet the obligations our nation has given us,” Newton said.


Stephen Peterson, the chapel’s public relations director, and Newton, reacted to these cutbacks by creating a formal docent program and announcing a need for docents in June.


“A dozen people responded,” Peterson said. “The program has 19 fully-trained volunteers but the chapel staff would like to have a pool of 35 docents through the year.”


Sue Reinecke became a docent last summer. 


“Little did I know that the more I do this, the more I’d want to learn,” she said. “I make someone’s visit to the chapel a memorable one.”


The chapel is accepting applications for docents. All approved applicants will be trained, attend a three and-a-half hour orientation and take a multiple choice test.


The training equips docents to lead groups through the chapel.


“They’ll be able to give meaningful insight to our visitors and answer questions ranging from cadet life, religious services and the chapel’s architecture,” Newton said.


Once approved, volunteers will spend at least four hours a week as docents, working in the morning or afternoon.


“This is a great gig,” Reinecke said.


Call 333-2636 for more information.