WALKINGTOWN DC AND BIKINGTOWN DC TOUR GUIDE AND RIDE LEADER INFORMATION

What are WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC?

Thank you for your interest in Cultural Tourism DC’s WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC. Hailed as a “DC institution” by The Washington Post, BikingTown DC and WalkingTown DC combined provide more than 100 free biking and walking tours in all eight wards of the District and offer residents and visitors a multitude of healthy, low-carbon emitting adventures into the heart of Washington, DC’s arts, culture, and heritage by showcasing the distinct neighborhoods and institutions across our beautiful district.

Traditionally held twice a year on one weekend, this year the event expands to ten days anchored by two consecutive weekends September 23 – October 2. The majority of tours will take place on the two weekends: Saturday and Sunday, September 24 - 25 and Saturday and Sunday, October 1 - 2 with weekday tours offered during lunchtime and after work. The event will also feature a series of tours exploring the Civil War history of DC, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

How do WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC work?

Cultural Tourism DC, an independent nonprofit (501c3) membership organization, produces this celebration of Washington, DC with the support of program volunteers, walking and bike tour guides, ride leaders, and community organizations. The program is funded through corporate sponsors, donors, private and public grants and the help of generous individuals.

Tours experienced by residents and visitors are developed by Cultural Tourism DC member organizations, partner organizations, other community organizations and their staff and/or individual community members. Those leading tours are knowledgeable tour guides ranging from long-time residents passionate about their neighborhoods, to docents who specialize in a particular subject matter, to licensed tour guides.

All tours are free to the public and many require reservations through the Cultural Tourism DC website. Promotional materials and media campaign encourage participants to visit the website to check the schedule, choose a tour(s), make reservations if required or simply learn the location of their desired tour and show up to enjoy!

About Leading a Tour with WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC

Participation in WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC is a prime opportunity to share your expertise, love of DC, its neighborhoods and institutions, as well as promote and gain new audiences for you, your neighborhood, or organization.

Tour Development: Tour guides and organizations submitting tours are responsible for developing their own accurate tour content and routes based on their interest and expertise. Our staff is on hand to answer questions or provide resources for tour development. Tours cover a wide range of topics, generally centered on the arts, culture and heritage of Washington, DC and highlight cultural organizations, historic sites and figures, neighborhoods and areas off-the-beaten path.

Scheduling: The majority of tours will take place on the two anchor weekends: Saturday and Sunday, September 24 – 25 and Saturday and Sunday, October 1 – 2. Some tours are scheduled during the week from Monday, September 26 – Friday, September 30. On Saturdays and Sundays, tour sessions generally begin at 9 am with early bird tours starting at 8:30 am. Tour sessions generally end by 5 pm with some night tours taking place after 5 pm until 8 pm. During the weekday, tours are given during lunch and after work. Lunchtime tour sessions must be only 45-minutes to one hour in duration and will begin at 12 noon. After work tour sessions will start between 5:30 – 6 pm. In general, walking tours range in length from 45 minutes to two hours and biking tours range from two - four hours. Tours vary in fitness intensity depending on the route.

Submitting a Tour: Once your tour is developed, submit a WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC Tour Participation Form, including an acknowledgment of the Program Guidelines. All submissions will be reviewed and you will receive an official participation announcement.

Tour Previews and Orientation: If your tour is new to this event or if you are a new tour guide with us, a Cultural Tourism DC staff member may request a preview tour. Prior to the event tour guides will be invited to attend an orientation session. Those new to the event are requested to attend orientation at the Cultural Tourism DC office.

For more information on WalkingTown DC or BikingTown DC and leading a tour(s) or if you have any questions about completing the Participation Form, please contact Helen Gineris, Events Associate at HGineris@CulturalTourismDC.org or 202-626-1148. 

WALKINGTOWN DC AND BIKINGTOWN DC TOUR GUIDE AND RIDE LEADER BENEFITS

• Share and ignite others with your passion for DC and its unique neighborhoods, arts, culture, history, and development
• Promote and gain new audiences for your tour, neighborhood, cultural, arts, or heritage organization, association, or business
• Be part of a city-wide acclaimed “DC institution” and fun event that highlights your specific expertise
• Utilize and practice your skills in tour guiding and ride leading
• Combine your love of walking and biking with a favorite interest such as rock n’ roll, green buildings, or Latin heritage in DC
• Receive a BikingTown DC/WalkingTown DC T-shirt
• Receive a tour listing and name recognition on www.CulturalTourismDC.org which received more than 48,000 page views in peak event time. Cultural Tourism DC member organizations receive additional online benefits.
• Opportunity for pick up by media partners*
• Receive an invitation to our annual appreciation night for volunteers, tour guides, and ride leaders in June 2012.

*BikingTown DC and WalkingTown DC are heavily advertised and promoted in local media outlets such as The Washington Post, local radio stations, blogs and websites. Specific tours are highlighted depending on the media outlet’s interest.

WALKINGTOWN DC AND BIKINGTOWN DC TOUR GUIDE INFORMATION

Walking or Biking Tour Guide

• Provide your own bike in good working condition, a bike helmet, and bike lock (biking tours only).
• Develop a complete tour consisting of eight to ten sites of interest along with a route map.
• Prepare well-researched tour content for major sites and points of interest along the tour route.
• Rehearse delivery of tour content.
• Submit a WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC Tour Participation Form.
• Deliver a tour preview to Cultural Tourism DC staff or designated representative (required for newly submitted tours and/ or tour guides new to WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC).
• Attend an information session and/or orientation/training session.
• Serve as a welcoming ambassador throughout the duration of the tour.
• Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the tour begins.
• Greet and engage participants as they arrive at the meeting point.
• Collaborate with Cultural Tourism DC Program Volunteer(s) that will assist on the tour.
• Deliver the tour, field questions, assist with participant safety, and trouble shoot as necessary.
• Allow time at the end of the tour for Cultural Tourism DC Program Volunteer to distribute and collect evaluations.
• Complete and return a separate Tour Guide/Ride Leader Evaluation by Friday, October 7.

Ride Leader (Biking Tours Only)

• Provide your own bike in good working condition, a bike helmet, and bike lock.
• Submit a WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC Tour Participation Form.
• Engage in a short interview with Cultural Tourism DC staff or designated representative (required for new-to-BikingTown DC ride leaders).
• Attend an information session and/or orientation/training session.
• Serve as a welcoming ambassador throughout the duration of the tour.
• Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the tour begins.
• Greet and engage participants as they arrive at the meeting point.
• Collaborate with tour guide and Cultural Tourism DC Program Volunteer(s) that will assist on the tour.
• Deliver a safety talk before the start of the tour, field questions, ensure participant safety, and trouble shoot as necessary throughout the tour.
• Complete and return a separate Tour Guide/Ride Leader Evaluation by Friday, October 7.

NOTE: Experienced ride leaders can double as tour guides and vice-versa.