Docent the Latin term for "teacher," is the title given to specially trained educational volunteers in zoos, aquariums, and museums. Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Docents give tours of the Zoo, answer questions from our guests, and use artifacts, biofacts, and Outreach animals to educate and engage the public.

Docents receive over 70 hours of training on Zoo history, animals, conservation, and ecology issues. The ten-week Docent Training class is offered twice a year.

Docents must be at least 18 years old and are required to commit to a minimum of 8 hours of monthly service (or 96 hours annually) for at least one year.

The next scheduled Docent class begins on July 15th, 2010 and concludes September 9, 2010. Classes take place Thursday evenings from 6-8:30pm and Saturdays 9am-4pm. If you are interested in becoming a Docent, please take fill out the Docent and Long Term Volunteer Application and return with all necessary paperwork.

If you need additional information, please e-mail or contact
(813) 935-8552 ext. 209.

Please click here for a Docent and Long Term Volunteer application (PDF)