Welcome to the Columbus Zoo Docent Association

Are you interested in becoming a docent? If so, please read this information about us, and then follow the instructions at the bottom to apply. [Please note: the docent class for 2008 is filled.]

What You Should Know About the Docent Association

Are you looking for an interesting and rewarding volunteer opportunity? Do you love animals and enjoy talking with people? Then consider the Docent Association at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

The Docent Organization was formed in 1971. Our membership now exceeds 300 dedicated and animal-loving people of all ages.

Docents educate the public about our animals at the exhibit areas, conduct scheduled tours of the Zoo, and give talks to organizations. Docents are important members of the Zoo community and bring to their role a deep interest in the natural world and a desire to share that knowledge with others.

The time commitment for being a Docent is a minimum of fifty hours per calendar year. At least thirty-five of these hours are spent in public contact hours, and at least seven are in continuing educational activities.

Docents must be at least 21 years of age and at ease in dealing with the public. Our duties require public speaking skills and an outgoing manner with strangers. We must maintain a calm demeanor in dealing with the unexpected.

Membership in the Docent Association does not lead to employment at the Columbus Zoo.

Docents do not handle exotic animals.

Docent applicants are interviewed for a seat in our annual training class. The Docent training classes are usually held in the early spring (February through April) and involve:

11 to 13 weeks, with all classes on Saturday. Hours are typically 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
All training requirements must be completed before graduation.
Each Saturday requires outside walking, regardless of the weather.
Class attendance each week is essential. Failure to attend classes may result in dismissal from the class.

The registration fee of $100 is due the first day of class, and will cover the cost of:

Docent manual
Uniform shirt
Dues
Class fees
Docent name badge

Purpose of Columbus Zoo Docent Association

The purpose of the Docent Association shall be to promote the educational, recreational, conservation and biological inquiry missions of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium by providing volunteers to

Be tour guides at the Zoo;
Give educational talks on or off the Zoo ground;
Be at designated locations throughout the Zoo to educate visitors;
Perform other duties as may be requested by the docent board of directors; and
Fulfill immediate, temporary needs as requested by zoo administration or keepers.

Mission of the Columbus Zoo

To promote awareness and understanding of the interdependence of the natural world, and to present to our community interactive, participatory and educational exhibits and activities, which represent that relationship.

The Zoo shall achieve its mission by teaching and practicing conservation, both on and off-site, contributing to the discovery of biological knowledge, offering enjoyable, educational and family-oriented recreational opportunities, and instilling in all who visit a sense of adventure and discovery.

As a community asset, the Zoo shall operate in a fiscally responsible manner with a balance of private and public support.

The Columbus Zoo Docent Association is no longer taking applications for 2008. If you would like to apply for the 2009 class, please follow the information below:

If you would like to join us at the Columbus Zoo Docent Association, please print this application form and mail it to the address on the bottom.

(The application form is an Adobe Acrobat PDF file; if you cannot open it, you can get the free file reader here.)

If you would prefer, you can download the Microsoft Word document version of the application to fill in on your computer. The application can be emailed to application@czda.org.

Questions? Feel free to contact us at application@czda.org.