Sea Otter Experience Trailer Opens for Another Season

by Rouvaishyana

The leadership team for the Sea Otter Experience has been meeting to plan our schedule for summer 2011.  We will open the trailer on Saturday, June 18 at the Summer Solstice event in the Morro Bay State Park campground, from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM.  The following day, Sunday, June 19 will be the first day at Morro Rock.  After that the trailer will be at Morro Rock every Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day weekend.  This summer we will be open for two holidays as well—July 4th and Labor Day (September 5), both on Mondays this year.

In an effort to operate the trailer with fewer docents, we will have only one shift on each open day—from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  The plan is to continue with three docents for each shift.  One person will monitor spotting scopes and provide close-up views of resident sea otters to visitors.  The second will provide informal interpretation of sea otters and other marine mammals using skulls, pelts, and other specimens.  The third will staff the trailer and handle merchandising.

Merchandise will be kept simpler this summer.  We plan to offer only about ten items this summer, with everything $10 or less, and with all prices calculated to whole dollar amounts, including tax.  There will be no cash register, and this system will allow docents to raise funds for CCNHA without having to make change.  Clothing will not be offered, there will be only 1-2 books, and no discounts will apply, including Docent discounts.  Those wishing more variety in merchandise will be referred to the Museum.  Toward this end, CCNHA plans to offer free admission coupons to the Museum at the trailer, and also provide an easy map so visitors can come to both locations.   

We are looking for docents to commit to the season so we can stay open without overloading anyone.  Who do we invite?

*Those who have already worked at the Sea Otter Experience.
*Butterfly trailer docents who want a similar activity during the butterfly off-season.  Yes, it might be a long drive, but some of your Pismo colleagues are already doing this.  Consider carpooling!
*Docents experienced in other areas who want to try this kind of interpretation.
*New docents, including those in the recent "graduating class."

If anyone knows someone who wants to volunteer for State Parks, this can be a great first activity.  Have them talk to Faylla Chapman or Rouvaishyana.

If you haven’t already stated your commitment, please contact one of the leadership team members: Chuck Mills, Barbara Hagerty, Vern Holyoke, Paul O’Connor, Dorian Farrow, and Rouvaishyana.  We look forward to another great season of interpreting sea otters to visitors who might otherwise not know what State Parks and CCNHA have to offer.  We’ll give out information, great views of wildlife, and sell educational items to raise funds for our programs. 

Join us!

Otter Trailer Images by Mike Baird