What does a docent do?
It takes numerous curators, exhibit designers, and administrators to create a museum experience that is as intriguing to children as it is enlightening to adult visitors. A docent is a trained volunteer who serves as a tour guide armed with in-depth knowledge about the museum’s collections and exhibits and helps make museum visits special. In exchange, a docent commits to guiding tours for a specific period of time, often for a year or two. However, most tours are only a couple of hours long. A potential docent submits an application. They are usually interviewed by professional staff about their interests and availability. A docent typically must be at least 18 years of age. Unique skills, such as foreign language, are valued but not a requirement. Enthusiasm, a desire to learn, and commitment are always the most valuable characteristics of a docent. The cost for becoming a trained docent usually is the price of an individual museum membership, and includes the benefits membership aff
Docent tours help visitors of all ages feel at home in our county facilities and parks. Fun as well as factual, docent-led tours provide relevant information on the interactions between the natural elements which give each place its unique character. They also interpret animal behavior and habitats and offer insights to the environment and conservation for visitors. Docents will also provide historical information and facts about parks and facilities and be well versed in the ECHO (ecological, cultural, heritage and outdoors) initiative as a whole, including all elements of ECHO. By leading public tours, docents are the bridge between visitors and the parks, helping them to appreciate the park s special places. Tours for school groups complement teachers efforts to meet current curriculum objectives, with customized tours to support science, history, social studies and math applications. School tours also create interactive experiences that build critical thinking skills such as observ
Docents are based at Discovery Stations located at our three parks. Interpretives, games, props and animal artifacts are some of the tools which you will use to educate and engage the visitors. What Are The Requirements? You should be at least 19 years old and have a passion for nature, in particular wildlife. If you are enthusiastic about sharing your knowledge with others and believe that you can make a positive difference in wildlife conservation, we would certainly love to meet you. Applicants below 19 years of age will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Training You are required to go through a 12-week training programme, which offers you an insight into the workings of the Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park. The training will also equip you with knowledge on animals, wildlife conservation as well as public presentation skills. Training sessions are held on the weekends, once every week (from 7 Jun 30 Aug 2009), 9am to 5pm. If you think you have what it takes to be a docen
