Greensboro Science Center

Junior Docent

Junior Docent Program

If you enjoy talking with people and interacting with animals, consider applying for our junior docent program! Volunteers are a vital part of our organization. The junior docent program will be a very competitive program. We expect much from our teen volunteers. In return, we will help you develop valuable skills that you can use in school and in life. Junior Docents will be able to help engage with and educate guests by helping to monitor our Hands-on Harbor touch tank, Friendly Farm contact yard, or in the Cole Family Monarch Conservation Center and Butterfly House. Assisting in these areas is vital to our guests being able to enjoy these experiences and you will be able to learn from our staff and docent team. This is a great way to get in some volunteer hours while experiencing what it is like to be a docent at the GSC.

Who can apply?

  • Applicants must be age 14 by the date of the submitted application. 
  • Applicants must be willing to volunteer for at least 30 hours between June 1, 2025 and August 15, 2025.
  • Applicants must show a passion and commitment to educating and engaging with guests as well as animals.

What are the steps to becoming a junior docent?

  1. Submit an application.. Our staff will review all applications and will contact selected candidates to schedule interviews. We will likely be unable to interview every candidate, so please provide thoughtful responses to your application questions.
  2. Schedule and successfully complete an interview.
  3. All candidates who were interviewed for the program will be notified to let them know if they have been chosen for the program.
  4. Attend training with the volunteer staff. Date TBD.

Summer 2024 Timeline

  • Applications open – April 1st at 9:00 am
  • Applications close – April 15th at 5:00 pm
  • Interviews – must be scheduled between April 10th and April 30th
  • Candidates notified – May 5th by 5:00 pm
  • Acceptance deadline – May 8th by 5:00 pm
  • On-site training – TBD

FAQs

Junior Docents will be able to help engage with and educate guests by helping to monitor our Hands-on Harbor touch tank, Friendly Farm contact yard, or in the Cole Family Monarch Conservation Center and Butterfly House. Assisting in these areas is vital to our guests being able to enjoy these experiences and you will be able to learn from our staff and docent team. This is a great way to get in some volunteer hours while experiencing what it is like to be a docent at the GSC.

Yes! You will learn how to properly touch animals like goats, cownose rays, and butterflies while also learning to educate others about these animals.

Junior Docent must commit to a minimum of 2 shifts (4 hours) a week or 36 hours over 9 weeks. 

The fee for our junior docent program is $5.00. This includes the cost of your name tag and your volunteer t-shirt which you will wear during your shifts as well as your background check. That fee is due when you come for on-site training, NOT when you submit your application. 

Once you complete the form, click the continue button at the bottom. You will receive a confirmation email immediately letting you know that we have received your application. Within 48 hours, we will review your application and email you to set up an interview. We communicate with applicants solely via the email address you provide on your application. Please make sure to check your SPAM folder since our emails occasionally go to SPAM.

Contact Us

Questions or comments? Email volunteers@greensboroscience.org.