Education

Educating visitors about the Gardens is an exciting and rewarding way to help Duke Gardens achieve its mission.

Adult Docent: Lead adult groups throughout the grounds of this magnificent public garden while telling them about its rich history, the connections to the Duke family, its relationship to the University and its expansive horticultural collections. An in-depth training course is required and provided.

Children's Docent: Teach children the wonders of nature, botany, garden ecology and how to respect and enjoy the beauty of a public garden. School children in Preschool through High School enjoy "Into the Garden" our award winning hands-on educational program.

Hospital Docent: Help pediatric patients in their healing process by bringing botanical activities to Duke Children's Hospital once a month. Docents visit the out-patient or in-patient clinic with hands-on activities for children waiting for appointments, or treatments, and bedside topiary making.

An in-depth training course and manual are provided for all participants. This is a great opportunity for those who enjoy working with children and offering constructive and educational experiences for them.

Leaders, planners, and helpers are needed for special events for children throughout the year. These include Summer Camp, Story Time, Teacher enrichment events, Nature for Sprouts, Arts in the Gardens and the Holiday Open House.

Workshop Instructor: Volunteers who are artistically inclined or who have a craft skill can share their abilities through participation in our adult educational series. Please do not be shy in sharing this interest with the Coordinator of Volunteers or the Director of Education.

Photography: Are you a botanical photographer at heart? Share your photographic ability through photographing plants, events, Garden projects and assembling and creating pictorial calendars, books, notecards, postcards and posters.