Wonders of Wildlife

Family Volunteers

What we need:  

Family Volunteers serve as Guest Engagement Guides at exhibits and touch tanks. Parents or guardians volunteer side by side with their child(ren) (up to two children per parent/guardian) to engage guests. Family volunteers encourage guests of all ages to explore, discover, and learn with each interaction.

What you may do: 

Greet and engage with guests about the exhibits, animals, and general conservation

Use artifacts (pelts, replica bones, scientific objects) to interact with guests as they explore the Wildlife Galleries and Aquarium

Assist with special events at exhibits, information stations, or activities tables around the Aquarium

How this will help us:

Families are an integral part of the volunteer program, helping us make connections with the next generation of conservationists. Family volunteers help ensure the safety of both animals and guests by being stationed primarily at our Stingray Touch or Invertebrate Touch tanks.

How this will help you: 

Volunteering as a family can be a rewarding way to bring everyone together. Children learn valuable life skills while connecting the entire family to their community and an important cause. Additional training and education opportunities are offered monthly for volunteers to learn more about exhibits, animals, and sharing information with guests.

The Right Volunteer:  

Volunteers should be excited to learn and share accurate information with guests.

Children serving as Family Volunteers must be at least 10 years old and volunteer side-by-side with a parent, grandparent, legal guardian, or sibling over 18 years old.

Availability/Time Commitment:

Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least 2 shifts per month.

Shifts are 4-hour intervals that volunteers schedule themselves based on their availability.

Family Volunteers must attend orientation and guest engagement training before beginning volunteer service hours.

Fun Fact about the Department: 

A small but mighty group, family volunteers have logged over 8,500 hours since 2017.