Become a Docent

DOCENT OPPORTUNITIES

Do you love animals?  Do you enjoy talking with people?  Are you looking for a highly rewarding volunteer opportunity where you determine your own schedule?

Docents are volunteer teachers and guides who provide rewarding, hands-on experiences for the public throughout the zoo.  They are ambassadors for the zoo, a voice for endangered species, and a part of the zoo’s ongoing education and conservation efforts.  At the end of their initial training, docents are uniquely experienced in the various parts of the zoo and become part of an effort to make a difference in the world.

Docents receive extensive training on zoo procedures, zoo departments, and zoo animals.  They play an important role in the education of our community while they provide interpretation throughout the zoo.  Some duties available to docents areas providing an interpretation of our animals at their viewing windows, using any of our many portable Docent Discovery Education Carts with various themes, acting as zoo guides, or helping with the zoos many special events, and more.  If you enjoy animals and talking with people, Topeka Zoo is looking for you!

The next Topeka Zoo Docent Training Academy will be held at the Topeka Zoo from March 20-24, 2023, from 9:00 am-5:00 pm each day. Participation in the Docent Training Academy is required to become a docent. Space in the Academy is limited, so please apply at your earliest convenience.

Interested in applying? Please fill out an application and email it to ddinwiddie@topekazoo.org or drop it by the zoo.

Application in Word Document (for editing directly on a computer)

Application in PDF (for printing and hand-writing)

Please contact Dennis Dinwiddie with any questions.

E-mail: ddinwiddie@topekazoo.org

Phone: 785-368-9134