Minnesota Children's Museum

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Volunteer to Play!

Donate Your Time to Minnesota's Future

Spark children’s learning through play by volunteering at Minnesota Children’s Museum! There are a variety of ways for you to get involved. Discover how you can make a positive impact on children and their families and support the Museum by giving your time in one of the many available volunteer positions.

Whether you want to volunteer directly with Museum visitors by playing in the galleries or leading activities, or if you want to help behind the scenes in an administrative role, there is bound to be a position to match your interests.

Volunteers and interns receive free parking or bus passes each time they volunteer.

Internships

Minnesota Children's Museum offers a variety of unique internships that are opportunities for you to gain practical experience and develop workplace skills. Internships at the Museum are part-time (about 10 hours per week for 10 to 12 weeks). Applicants typically have completed at least one year of college and must be at least 18 years old.

We are currently recruiting for the spring 2009 internship session, which runs from March through May 2009. Applications are due December 12.

Award Nominations
Research and apply for awards and scholarships on behalf of our most dedicated volunteers.

Education Programs - Activity Facilitator
Facilitate creative arts programs in the Museum’s classrooms and other interactive programs in the galleries for children and their families.

Education Programs - Museum Classes

Facilitate curriculum-based classes for schools and community groups who visit the Museum.

Environmental Education Programs - Live Animals
Care for the Museums live animals and lead environmental education programs for Museum visitors.

Exhibit Maintenance
Assist with maintenance and repair of the Museum’s interactive exhibit components

Human Resources
Assist with HR projects like Equal Opportunity Employment reporting, job posting and background checks for new staff members and volunteers.

Information Technology
Complete projects related to the Museum's website and network operations.

Marketing
Complete market research projects and assist with a variety of other marketing functions.

Museum Operations
Complete administrative projects, report on attendance and box office revenue, and develop systems to track the training of Museum staff members.

Volunteer Recruitment

Increase community involvement at the Museum by recruiting our next group of interns, adults or youth volunteers.

 

How to Apply

1. Submit an application online
2. Submit a cover letter and resume
3. Download and submit two reference forms

Contact Volunteer Services online or at 651-225-6046 to have an application mailed, emailed or faxed to you.

Spring internship applications are due December 12.

Adult Volunteer Opportunities

There are a variety of ways for you to get involved and volunteer at Minnesota Children's Museum! Whether you'd prefer to lead art activities in the classroom, play in the galleries or assist behind the scenes in the office, we have a great opportunity for you to give your time at Minnesota Children's Museum.

Playologists and Creative Arts Programs Volunteers

Spark children's learning through play by leading fun and interactive programs like Exploration Station, Inventor's Workshop, Spark Cart and by playing in the Museum's interactive exhibits. These positions have varied minimum commitments, starting at 10 shifts. Schedules also vary from once a month to once a week.

Story Time Reader

Lead children on an imaginative adventure by reading interactive stories from our library. Children and adults gather for Story Time every day the Museum is open at 10:30, 2:30 and 6:30 on Friday evenings. The number of participants varies between five and 50, but Story Time readers should be comfortable in front of a crowd.

Museum Class Assistants

For volunteers with previous classroom experience, use your experience to assist in the delivery of Museum classes for school and community groups who elect to participate in these programs while visiting the Museum on a field trip.

Behind the Scenes

Use your unique skills to provide administrative support, do research or complete special projects. Volunteers can get involved in an almost limitless number of ways based on personal experience and skills.

How to Apply

Complete an online application

Contact Volunteer Services online or call 651-225-6046 to have an application mailed, emailed or faxed to you.

Special Events Volunteers

Would you love to volunteer at the Museum but can't commit to a regular weekly shift? The Special Events Squad is the perfect volunteer opportunity for people with busy schedules. As a Special Event Volunteer, you'll have the choice to sign up for event shifts when you have time. Most of the events are on weekday evenings and weekends, and there are dozens to choose from - flexible to fit anyone's schedule.

The events are typically hosted at the Museum for member families, community groups or the general public. In addition to playing in the Museum's exhibits, event guests experience special performances and activities. We rely on our volunteers to facilitate play and creative arts activities and also to help with set-up, guest check-in and snack time.

Special Event Squad Volunteers commit to a minimum of five events between October and May.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Complete an online application or contact Volunteer Services online or by calling 651-225-6046 to have one mailed, emailed or faxed to you. Please note: it takes between 14 and 30 days to complete the application and screening process.

Youth Squad 2009

The school year Youth Squad 2008-09 application period has closed. Information about the 2009 Summer Squad will be posted soon! Contact us at 651-225-6046 or contact Volunteer Services online for more information about volunteer opportunities for high school students.

PLAY! As a Youth Squad volunteer, you’ll spend your time playing with children in the Museum galleries and leading creative arts programs. You’ll volunteer with other high school students from around the Twin Cities and meet lots of new people.

LEARN! Gain experience working with children and build your teamwork, communication and leadership skills. This is a great way to build your resume for scholarships, college applications, and future employment.

SERVE! Support your community and the families who visit the Museum to play and learn by giving your time. You’ll be a positive role-model and make an impact on the lives of thousands of children.

During the summer, volunteers commit to at least two weeks and one weekend of shifts, 8:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

During the school year, shifts are scheduled on the weekends and school holidays, and volunteers commit to a minimum of ten throughout the school year, 8:45 a.m to 1 p.m. or 12 to 4:15 p.m.

Volunteers receive free parking or bus passes each time they volunteer.

Current Youth Volunteers Say

"It's a great way to hang out with friends from school and brand new friends. Other teens should volunteer here because it's fun, entertaining and never-boring way to be around kids."

"I think volunteering with the Youth Squad has taught me really important values such as patience, cooperation, team-building, responsibility and conflict resolution, among other things."

"Teens should come and be a part of the Museum to help out the community and do something fun."

Questions? Contact Volunteer Services online.

Nominate the Volunteer of the Month!

Make a fellow volunteer's day by nominating them to be our next Volunteer of the Month! You could nominate someone for their outstanding impact on the families who visit the Museum, because they did something nice for you, or just because you want to do something nice for another volunteer. You may even nominate yourself!

Click here and tell Volunteer Services in 250 words or less why the volunteer you nominated deserves this recognition.