The Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital’s Summer Docent Program is a summer opportunity for students entering Grades 10-12 in the Fall of 2024.
The program offers students the following:
- Volunteer Hours
- Leadership Skills
- Public Speaking
- Education about our native wildlife and environment.
- Students earn 96 volunteer hours in a 4-week session
What we are looking for:
- Energetic students with an interest in wildlife
- Comfortable speaking to the public
- Able to work independently and in a team.
- Able to work outside in various weather conditions.
- Able to follow instructions and complete a task
The Summer Docent Program has two sessions. After acceptance into the program, and attending the mandatory training, Docents will lead tours of the Sawgrass Nature Center and lead activities with guests. Docents are required to work for four weeks during their selected session.
Session 1: June 11 to July 5, 2021
Session 2: July 9 to August 2, 2021
Program Fee: $50 (per session)
Important Dates:
June 8- Docent Orientation/Training at the Sawgrass Nature Center
Application Instructions:
- Complete the application. You can download the application packet here or scroll down to complete the online application. You can also access the online form by clicking here.
Application Deadline:
Program Description
Students are invited to apply to the Summer Docent Program via our online application. Interviews will be scheduled with applicants to allow them to ask questions and determine if they are a good fit for the program. Once students are selected they will need to accept their slot in writing. Initial training will occur on a Saturday, June 8th for 2 hours. During this time docents will be onboarded and be introduced to our organization and will be provided with training materials outlining policies and procedures as well as information about our exhibits. Students will have time to start practicing their public speaking skills by pairing up and taking a guided tour with each other. During their 4 weeks with us, docents will participate in round table discussions of assigned readings and worksheets on leadership styles, effective communication, public speaking, and filler words in speech as well as practice off-the-cuff speaking on different topics. These “campfire” discussions will encourage docents to share stories as well as discuss the meaning of good leadership vs bad, honesty, vulnerability, and how these skills will help them in the future. Docents will be stationed outside in order to greet guests and provide tours of our facility as well as lead visitors in an educational craft. They will also collect data about our visitors. The purpose of this is two-fold: we will gain valuable insight and students will use this as an opportunity to learn about data analysis from one of our collaborators who will come in and walk the students through the analysis. These opportunities for interaction will be created by docents by appearing ready and willing to interact with visitors. On their first day, Docents will rate themselves on their public speaking skills and leadership styles by taking a self-assessment. They will also be asked to answer a variety of questions on a daily basis that asks them to record their thoughts and feelings on the interactions they had with visitors on that particular day. On the last day of their 4-week session, docents will once again take the same assessment they took on their first day in order to compare their growth during their time with us. Docents will also be asked to complete an exit interview asking them to rate their experience and to share any suggestions they may have in order for us to improve upon our program.
If you have any issues with the embedded form below please click here to access the form directly.