Registration closes soon for Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary’s volunteer docent training program

The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary’s registration for its 2023 docent training classes is open. The deadline to register is Feb. 6.

If completed, one can become a volunteer docent and help host school tours, participate in community events representing the zoo, and assist with story times, fundraising and youth day camps, according to representatives from the city.

Sue Bean has been a docent since 2013 and helps train new docents.

Bean said the main difference between docents and zookeepers, besides not being in a paid position, is that docents focus on education while employees are responsible for animal handling, the health of the animals and their diets.

According to Christine Brainerd, a city spokeswoman, the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary has had a docent program since before 2000. Bean said, for years, zoo policy has been that docent program participants must be 21 or older.

“We have a lot of responsibilities,” Bean said. “There’s a security check (and) fingerprinting to make sure you’re safe around children. Our class is a pretty intense class.”

Classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays starting Feb. 13 and ending March 20, according to Folsom’s news release. The class fee is $40 and includes training materials.

Parties interested can register online or call Bean with questions at 916-715-8610.

This story was originally published January 20, 2023 at 8:18 AM.