Adult Volunteers serve the Museum in a variety of roles and assist with general Museum operations. This volunteer position is open to all adults 18 years and older. Adult Volunteers are required to volunteer at least 8 service hours per month.

2023- 2024 Adult Volunteer applications are accepted on a rolling admission basis. All 2023-2024 Adult Volunteers will be notified by email if they are selected to interview.

Florida Naturalist’s Center Volunteers may gain experience and knowledge of animal care and husbandry as well as informal education practices. Volunteers serving in this role should expect to spend the majority of their time on their feet assisting in maintenance and habitat care for live animals residing at MOSH like snakes, turtles, frogs, opossums, birds, and fish which includes removing animal feces and cleaning dishes. Be ready to ‘get dirty’ on tasks, as this is our most manual labor-intensive volunteering and will require volunteers to work with some chemicals (such as bleach and vinegar), and animal husbandry tasks including feeding/ handling animals like deceased mice, birds, reptiles, and bugs.

Exhibit Guide Volunteers assist Museum guests in navigating and interacting with our traveling and signature exhibits. Guides are responsible for the supervision of our exhibit space as well as answering questions about showtimes. Volunteers should expect to spend the majority of time actively engaging with Museum Guests.

Public Programs & Special Events Volunteers provide support for a wide variety of programs and events at MOSH including exhibit openings, MOSH After Dark, artist receptions, birthday parties and private Museum rentals. Volunteers in this role help with event set-up, greeting and directing guests/vendors, monitoring use of the facility and assisting staff with bartending.

A.A.T.O.M. Docents participate in a week-long training course dedicated to exploring and refining educational strategies used in Museum Scientific and Historical Interpretation. After completing the training course, Docents serve as public ambassadors for MOSH by leading tours for a variety of audiences through our exhibits and Collection Room.

Corporate Volunteer Groups and NGO Groups On occasion, the Museum works with corporate volunteer groups and NGO groups comprised of individuals who all represent the same organization or business. These groups typically work together on a large project or special event at the Museum. This collaborative opportunity offers a chance for large groups to give back to the community in a fun and educational way. Please email or call the Volunteer department directly to arrange Corporate Volunteer and NGO Group volunteering.

Apply For The Adult Volunteer Program

All Teen Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. Teen Volunteers can volunteer for multiple years until they graduate from high school. Teen Volunteers are required to volunteer at least 8 service hours per month including Spring, Summer, and Winter Breaks. This is not a summer-only volunteering program.  Teen Volunteers must earn a minimum of 100 service hours per year.

Teen Volunteers assist with Spring, Summer and Winter Discovery Camps, Museum special events, educational presentations/ programming and with the preparation for these programs.

2023 Teen Volunteer Applications will be available from February 2023 to April 30, 2023. All 2023-2024 Teen Volunteers will be notified by email if they are selected to interview with final decisions made by May 2023 and must attend all trainings in May and June 2023. Volunteering begins in June and July 2023.

Discovery Camp Teen Volunteer (16 Years and Older)

• Positively interact with students from K – 5^th grade
• Assist MOSH Teachers and Education Staff with preparing of lesson materials
• Supervise and assist with experiments, lessons, and projects throughout camp
• Assist with Before- and After-Care for extended day campers

Florida Naturalist’s Center Teen Volunteer (16 Years and Older)

• A passion for all animals in the Florida Naturalist’s Center is required for this position
• Support Florida Naturalist’s Center Staff in the care of MOSH’s living collections
• Assist in maintenance and habitat care for live animals residing at MOSH like snakes, turtles, frogs, opossums, birds, and fish which includes removing animal feces and cleaning dishes
• Be ready to roll up your sleeves on tasks, as this is our most manual labor-intensive volunteering and will require volunteers to work with some chemicals (such as bleach and vinegar), and animal husbandry tasks including feeding/handling animals like deceased mice, birds, reptiles, and bugs.

Exhibit Guide Teen Volunteer

• Engage Museum visitors with activities located in the traveling exhibit spaces
• Keep an awareness of safety and report needed exhibit repairs
• Assist with basic wayfinding
• Answer general questions about the Museum

Creation Station Teen Volunteer

• Engage Museum visitors with mini lessons on art and makerspace topics
• Prep, setup and tidy up Creation Station on a daily basis
• Provide basic art interpretation about Artist-In-Residence projects
• Encourage Museum guests to try new activities and materials

Quantum Cart Teen Volunteer

• Engage Museum visitors with mini lessons on science and history topics
• Prep, setup and break down demonstration carts on a daily basis
• Learn and practice the informational scripts for each cart
• Encourage visitor interactions at your station