training (10)

The BBF Spring Lecture Series and Docent Training program is set to begin next month on Saturday, March 25. The series will trace Boston's topography and architecture from 1630 to the present and will feature lectures from several guest speakers covering topics such as Boston's various eras of architecture spanning from colonial to contemporary. In addition to the lectures, discussion groups and guided activities will allow new guides to work together an get to know one another before they hit the streets to give tours. New guides will get hands on experience taking demonstration tours and [...] more

Boston By Foot recently launched the Guide Workshop Series initiative to allow existing guides to enhance their skills and better engage their tour participants. This inaugural program, held during the off season, consisted of three workshops: Visual Thinking Strategies, Accessibility 101, and Historical Storytelling. These workshops were all lead by experts in their respective fields, and were designed to allow the BBF guides to expand upon the tour-leading skills they already possess. In the first workshop, attendees learned how visual thinking draws upon visitors' prior knowledge to facilitate observation and discussion about art & architecture. [...] more

The annual Boston By Foot Spring Series training program began today, the 25th of March, with 33 guides-in-training arriving at the BBF office ready to begin their journeys to being tour guides. The morning kicked off with a welcome address delivered by Exectuive Director Samantha Nelson who pointed out the high caliber of this year's GIT class. The 41st entering class boasts a number of athletes, philanthropists, educators, historians, and architecture enthusiasts, to name only a few of their strengths. The first lecture of the series was delivered by Robert Allison, vice president of the Colonial [...] more

The 41st entering class of Boston By Foot guides is hard at work during the 2017 Spring Series, learning the various styles of architecture, historical events, and general knowledge that make up a BBF tour. From early Colonial to 20th century Boston, the guides in training have been expanding their knowledge in preparation for the start of the season. All of their hard work will soon come to fruition when Graduation occurs on Sunday, May 7. This longstanding BBF tradition will see the guides in training receive their Boston By Foot pins and become fully fledged [...] more

The annual Boston By Foot Spring Series training program began on March 23rd, with 31 guides-in-training arriving at the BBF office ready to begin their journey toward becoming tour guides. The morning kicked off with a welcome address delivered by Executive Director Samantha Nelson who pointed out the high caliber of this year's GIT class. The 43rd entering class boasts a number of athletes, philanthropists, educators, dancers, and architecture enthusiasts, to name only a few of their strengths. The first lecture of the series was delivered by Bob Allison, Chair of the Department of History at [...] more

Boston By Foot was recently invited to provide training to the youth tour guides of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (UUUM) in Roxbury. On July 17th, BBF Docent Terri Evans led a session on how to craft an engaging tour, and gave practical tips on leading tours. These youth-led UUUM tours are scheduled to begin in August of 2019. We invite our friends and members to support the Roxbury Youth Historical Tour Program: The Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry is proud to present the Roxbury Youth Programs Historical Tours. Please join our youth as they lead [...] more

Do you Love Boston History and Architecture? Become a Boston By Foot Volunteer Tour Guide! Training begins on March 21st. Boston By Foot is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of Boston’s rich history and architectural heritage by offering a wide range of guided tours delivered by volunteer guides. We are seeking individuals of all ages, backgrounds, races and orientations to share their love of Boston and help BBF tell our city's many stories. New tour guides will join a vibrant and close-knit community of over 200 lifelong learners who share a [...] more

BPA ADVOCATE CERTIFICATION TRAINING (ACT) The Boston Preservation Alliance (BPA) recently offered a special session of their new Advocate Certification Training (ACT) class exclusively for Boston By Foot volunteers. The ACT Class is a four-week class with one class a week. Each class focuses on a different topic including: the basics of historic preservation; the development process in Boston; how to be an effective advocate; and connecting with local neighborhood partners. The 21 BBF volunteers who joined the class found it valuable in better understanding the municipal mechanisms connected to the preservation process; current [...] more

2021 BBF TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NEW GUIDES A year ago, Boston By Foot's annual training for new guides was canceled at the last minute due to the pandemic. This year, BBF is thrilled to offer our first-ever hybrid training program. Training will now include returning members of the Class of 2020 and the newly-selected Class of 2021. Our Academic Affairs Committee (committee responsible for our training program) has been working hard to reconfigure our training program to the hybrid format. Lectures will be offered remotely, and in person practice sessions will be held outdoors in [...] more