Want to share your love of animals with the public? Interested in
advocating the importance of conservation? Itching to inform visitors about the wonders of the animal world? Become a volunteer docent at the Philadelphia Zoo!
Candidates who are accepted into the docent training program attend a series of 20 classes, which cover a wide variety of topics including:
- Philadelphia Zoo history
- Animal kingdom information
- Zoo animals specifics
- Sculpture and horticulture in the Zoo
- Important conservation issues
Provisional docents also receive instruction and hands-on experience needed to work with the public, including touring and teaching techniques, how to use educational artifacts and biofacts, and many other important skills.
Classes are taught by a combination of Zoo staff and keepers, docents and occasional outside speakers. Each provisional is assigned a mentor to guide him or her through the learning experience. Upon completion of the 3-part docent training course, class members are fully qualified docents, ready to share information with Philadelphia Zoo visitors.
To become a docent you must be an adult Zoo member, successfully complete the docent training course, have good communication skills and commit to 90 weekday hours or 60 weekend hours per year.
Applications for the docent training program are welcome on an ongoing basis for classes that begin in the fall. The next available class will be the 2012-2013 class beginning in September 2012. The class is currently scheduled to be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Email
volunteer@phillyzoo.org or call 215-243-5200 for more information.
Apply online now!
Download a printable docent program overview in PDF Format.
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