Individual Opportunities | Camp Volunteering | Group Opportunities

We can’t do what we do without the help of our volunteers! From caring for our animal habitats, to keeping the Museum in tip-top shape, there’s a chance for everyone to volunteer at the Museum. You’ll get to learn about biology, horticulture, engineering, and animal care. Be a part of our fun and enthusiastic team! Do something unique and interesting that gives back to the community and helps build a world-class Museum for the citizens of North Carolina and beyond.

In addition to these intangible benefits, you’ll also get to enjoy the wonder of:

• One free Explorer 4 membership after 100 hours of service completed within one year. Once earned, the membership renews annually for as long as you continue to meet the requirements
• Invitations to special events for Museum staff and volunteers
• Eligibility for Volunteer awards

Requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Complete a Museum Volunteer application
• Pass a background check
• Attend a New Volunteer Orientation

Upcoming Volunteer Orientations

All orientations are held at the Main Museum building. Orientation is open to the public and drop-ins are welcome – although pre-registration is preferred. To register for one of our upcoming volunteer orientations, email our Volunteer Coordinator today.

Upcoming dates:
Friday, February 3, 2:00 pm
Friday, February 24, 2:00 pm
Friday, March 17, 2:00 pm
Friday, April 21, 2:00 pm
Friday, May 12, 2:00 pm

The Museum of Life and Science maintains a strong commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for Museum guests, staff, volunteers, and animals. As part of this commitment, vaccination against the COVID-19 virus is required as a condition of joining the Museum’s adult volunteer or summer camp youth volunteer programs.

Education Catalyst

• Engage visitors through informal educational programming
• Low to moderate physical labor required
• Ability to remain outdoors for extended periods required
• Ideal volunteers are able to commit to 2 shifts for a total of 4 – 6 hours per month

Animal Department

• General animal husbandry including raking and shoveling of farmyard stalls and yards
• Clean animal cages and exhibits
• Sweep, mop, and organize support areas
• Food preparation
• General department assistance
• High physical labor required (including ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.)
• Volunteers must be able to commit at least two 4–hour shifts per month, 8am–12pm

Magic Wings Butterfly House

• Engage visitors as they explore one of our most popular experiences
• Keep the butterflies and plants safe from curious hands
• Provide informal educational programs with invertebrate animals in the Insectarium
• Assist with the care and maintenance of our butterflies, invertebrates, and plants
• Low to moderate physical labor required
• Ideal volunteers are able to commit 2 hours per week

Exhibits Maintenance

• Repair exhibit components
• Make models
• Assist with cleaning and vacuuming exhibit components
• Low to moderate physical labor required
• Ideal volunteers can commit at least two 4–hour shifts per month

Special Events

• Lead activities, interact with guests and general events assistance
• Family events include: Holidays in the Park (December), Pumpkin Patch Express (October), Dino Egg Hunt (Spring)
• AfterHours 21+ events (Thursday evenings) include: Science of Beer, Science of Wine, Cocktails and Cosmonauts, and more
• Ideal volunteers have evening and/or weekend availability, but are not expected to make a weekly commitment

Youth volunteers age 14 – 17 work with our Summer Camps, supporting the informal science education led by paid staff. Volunteers help provide a fun and safe environment while assisting campers in their exploration of science!

The Museum’s Volunteer program welcomes groups of volunteers for a day of service. Tasks can be indoors or outdoors, working with our Landscaping, Animal Habitat Maintenance, Exhibits Maintenance, or Innovation and Learning departments. Each task typically requires 5-10 people, so large groups may be split between activities. Group projects are scheduled on weekdays from 9am-4pm and last 2-3 hours. The Museum is closed on Mondays from September-February, so we are especially welcoming of volunteer groups on these days to help with maintenance tasks.

Below are the categories of projects that group volunteers participate in. Please note that project availability may vary. The best strategy for scheduling a group project is to present multiple days and times so we can find a date that works best for your group and the Museum. Depending on seasonal demand, we may only able to accommodate 2 groups per month, so please present volunteer dates as soon as possible to reserve your spot.

Volunteer Opportunities Descriptions