Youth Volunteer ~ Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

You volunteer applications are accepted September 1- February 28. Applications are not accepted after the deadline. Please note that the current application period is for Summer 2019. Interview dates and instructions will be emailed to all applicants no later than Friday, March 22, 2019. Please click here to apply for any of the following youth volunteer positions. You will need the following information to apply:

Three letters of recommendation are required when application is submitted.
Recommendations from friends and family members are not accepted.
Letters from teachers, other organizations applicant has volunteered with, coaches, supervisors, clients (lawn care, babysitting, dog walking, etc.) are permitted.
Completed applications can be mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered. Contact information is on the application in the upper right corner.

Volunteer Open House
Thursday January 24, 2019, 4:00 – 5:30 P.M.
Are you interested in volunteering at the Virginia Aquarium? Then join us for our winter volunteer open house. Representatives from Aquarium departments will be available to answer your questions and you will have the opportunity to take an escorted mini-tour. Adult, junior and intern applications are being accepted.

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

Birthday Party Helper

Volunteer assists education staff with children's birthday parties.

Duties:

Assist staff with party set-up and clean-up.
Meet and greet party guests as they arrive.
Lead games and other activities to engage party guests.
Assist with party guests during Aquarium tour.

Qualifications:

Must be at least 14 years old.
Must have good communication skills.
Comfortable working with children of varying ages.
Must be enthusiastic with a have a high-energy level and pleasant demeanor.
Must have the ability to bend and stand for an extended period of time.
Must be able to work within a team and independently.
Must be able to take direction.
Experience working with children preferred.

Minimum Commitment: This position requires a minimum of two 3½ hour shifts per month. This is a summer position with the option to volunteer during the school year.

A Birthday Party Helper application packet must include the following:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center youth application form. Click here for application.
The application form must be typed or printed legibly with blue or black ink; no pencil.
The completed application must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Three letters of recommendation.
Since interview details are communicated via email, a valid email address is required.

Changing Exhibits Gallery Host

Volunteer direct guests through the Aquarium's Changing Exhibits Gallery.

Duties:

Greet and answer guest questions.
Engage visitors in conversations and hands-on activities.

Qualifications:

Must be at least 13 years old.
Able to take direction, work within a team and independently.
Have a pleasant disposition.
Must be reliable and punctual.

Minimum Commitment:

This position requires a minimum of one 4½ hour shift a week. Volunteer must be available at least nine weeks between June and August. This is a summer position with the option to volunteer during the school year.

A Changing Exhibits Gallery Host application packet must include the following:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center youth application form. Click here for application.
The application form must be typed or printed legibly with blue or black ink; no pencil.
The completed application must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Three letters of recommendation.
Since interview details are communicated via email, a valid email address is required.

Family Floor Docent

This is an opportunity for family members to volunteer together at the Aquarium. As a team, volunteers will share information about the Aquarium's exhibits and Virginia's marine environment with guests.

Duties:

Present accurate information to visitors regarding exhibits.
Engage guests in conversations to ensure they have a memorable and positive visit to the Aquarium.
Participate in educational opportunities offered by the Aquarium.

Qualifications:

Must be at least 13 years old
Able to take direction, work within a team and independently
Must have good communication skills, enjoy interacting with the public and comfortable speaking before groups of people.
The Ability to learn by reading, listening and/or observing.
Must have the ability to stand for an extended period of time.
Must be reliable and punctual

Minimum Commitment: This position requires a minimum of one 3½ hour shift a week for at least nine weeks out of the summer. Youth applicants must be paired with a parent or guardian.

A Family Floor Docent application packet must include the following:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center youth application form. Click here for application.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center adult application form. Click here for application.
Both application forms must be typed or printed legibly with blue or black ink; no pencil.
The completed youth application must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Three letters of recommendation must accompany the youth application form. Two professional references are required on the adult application.
Since interview details are communicated via email, a valid email address is required on both applications.

Floor Docent

Volunteer shares information about the Aquarium's exhibits and Virginia's marine environment with guests.

Duties:

Present accurate information to visitors regarding exhibits.
Engage guests in conversations to ensure they have a memorable and positive visit to the Aquarium.
Participate in educational opportunities offered by the Aquarium.

Qualifications:

Must be 14 to 17 years old and have an interest in the marine environment
Volunteer service as a Touch Pool Exhibit Guide is a prerequisite for this position.
Able to take direction, work within a team and independently
Must have good communication skills, enjoy interacting with the public and comfortable speaking before groups of people.
The Ability to learn by reading, listening and/or observing.
Must have the ability to stand for an extended period of time.
Must be reliable and punctual

Minimum Commitment: This position requires a minimum of one 3½ hour shift for at least nine weeks out of the summer. Although this is a summer position, volunteers that remain during the school year have the option to learn new skills and advance to additional opportunities. This position is also great for homeschooled teens.

A Floor Docent application packet must include the following:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center youth application form. Click here for application.
The application form must be typed or printed legibly with blue or black ink; no pencil.
The completed application must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Three letters of recommendation.
Since interview details are communicated via email, a valid email address is required.

Marsh Monday Guide

Volunteer greet and lead Aquarium guests in educational activities and tours along the marsh overlook and nature trail.

Duties:

Greet Aquarium guests.
Engage visitors in conversations and activities to ensure they have a memorable and positive visit.

Qualifications:

Must be at least 13 years old.
Must be outgoing and comfortable interacting with large groups.
Must have a pleasant demeanor and able to take direction.
An interest in marine science a plus.

Minimum Commitment: This position requires a minimum of one 3¾ hour shift a week on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. Volunteer must be available at least nine weeks between June and August. This is a summer only position.

A Marsh Monday Guide application packet must include the following:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center youth application form. Click here for application.
The application form must be typed or printed legibly with blue or black ink; no pencil.
The completed application must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Three letters of recommendation.
Since interview details are communicated via email, a valid email address is required.

Summer Camp Assistant

Volunteer aids Sea Camp instructors in providing a safe, educational and memorable experiences to youth attending summer camps at the Aquarium.

Duties:

Aid camp instructors in carrying out all daily activities including set-up and clean-up.
Facilitate camp play with campers during check-in and check-out.
Assist with the overall supervision of the campers.

Qualifications:

Must be at least 16 years old.
Must be out-going and able to work with children.
Must have experience working with children between six and nine years old.
Must be able to participate in high-energy activities that often occur outdoors during the heat of summer.
Must have a pleasant demeanor and able to take direction.
An interest in science a plus.
Experience working in a camp preferred.

Minimum Commitment: This position requires a minimum of 2 two-day camps between the end of June and the end of July. This is a summer only position.

A Summer Camp Assistant application packet must include the following:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center youth application form. Click here for application.
The application form must be typed or printed legibly with blue or black ink; no pencil.
The completed application must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Three letters of recommendation.
Since interview details are communicated via email, a valid email address is required.

Ticket Taking Assistant

Your outgoing personality is the perfect fit for this position! Work on the front lines greeting and directing Aquarium guests.

Duties:

Greet and direct visitors
Stamp guests' hand to allow visitation and re-entry to both Aquarium buildings
Share information and answer visitor questions
Monitor assigned areas for traffic flow and safety

Qualifications:

Must be at least 13 years old
Comfortable standing for an extended period of time
Exceptional people skills
Must be outgoing and personable
Have a pleasant disposition
Comfortable with crowds

Minimum Commitment: This position requires a minimum of one four hour shift a week. Volunteer must be available at least nine weeks between June and August. This is a summer position with the option to volunteer during the school year.

A Ticket Taking Assistant application packet must include the following:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center youth application form. Click here for application.
The application form must be typed or printed legibly with blue or black ink; no pencil.
The completed application must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Three letters of recommendation.
Since interview details are communicated via email, a valid email address is required.

Toddler Program Assistant

Volunteer assists Toddler Program Coordinator with planning and presenting toddler events. This is a great volunteer opportunity for homeschooled teens.

Duties:

Assist with toddler program preparations.
Help engage toddlers in conversations and hands-on activities during programs.

Qualifications:

Must be at least 14 years old.
Must be out-going, have high energy level and comfortable working with toddlers.
Individual with artistic and/or musical abilities a plus.
Must have a pleasant demeanor and able to take direction.
An interest in marine science and experience working with children preferred.

Minimum Commitment: This position requires a minimum of one 4½ hour shift a week. Volunteer must be available at least nine weeks between June and August. This is a summer position with the option to volunteer during the school year.

A Toddler Program Assistant application packet must include the following:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center youth application form. Click here for application.
The application form must be typed or printed legibly with blue or black ink; no pencil.
The completed application must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Three letters of recommendation.
Since interview details are communicated via email, a valid email address is required.

Touch Pool Exhibit Guide

Volunteer provides fun, engaging and educational experiences for Aquarium guests while sharing information about the animals in the Chesapeake Bay Aquarium and Rays touch pools.

Duties:

Present accurate information to visitors regarding exhibits.
Engage guests in conversations to ensure they have a memorable and positive visit to the Aquarium.
Participate in educational opportunities offered by the Aquarium.

Qualifications:

Must be at least 14 years old and have an interest in the marine environment
Able to take direction, work within a team and independently
Must have good communication skills, enjoy interacting with the public and comfortable speaking before groups of people.
Must have the ability to stand for an extended period of time.
Must be reliable and punctual

Minimum Commitment: This position requires a minimum of one 3½ hour shift a week. Volunteer must be available at least nine weeks between June and August. This is a summer position with the option to volunteer during the school year.

A Touch Pool Exhibit Guide application packet must include the following:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center youth application form. Click here for application.
The application form must be typed or printed legibly with blue or black ink; no pencil.
The completed application must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Three letters of recommendation.
Since interview details are communicated via email, a valid email address is required.

Youth Volunteer

​​​​​​​​​Youth Volunteer Opportunities

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

Youth Volunteer Opportunities