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Become a Catalyst for Learning: Volunteer at the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry!

Welcome to the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry's volunteer family! Join a passionate and dedicated community of individuals committed to inspiring young minds and nurturing a love for learning through play. Adult volunteers are 18+ years old and Junior Volunteers are 13-17 years old.

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Why volunteer with us?

At the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, we believe that volunteers are the heart of our organization. Your invaluable contributions help create magical experiences for children and families, fostering a positive impact on their lives. As a volunteer, you play a pivotal role in supporting our mission of sparking curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills in young explorers.

A World of Opportunities:

We offer a diverse range of volunteer opportunities to suit your interests, skills, and schedule. Whether you enjoy engaging with visitors on the museum floor, assisting with educational programs, or helping behind the scenes, there's a role that fits your passion.

Benefits of Volunteering:

As a volunteer at the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, you'll enjoy numerous benefits, including:

  • Making a Difference: Experience the joy of directly impacting children's lives and contributing to their educational journey.
  • Enriching Experiences: Gain hands-on experience in a dynamic and vibrant museum environment, honing your skills and expanding your knowledge.
  • Community and Connections: Join a supportive community of fellow volunteers, staff, and educators, forging lifelong friendships and connections.
  • Recognition and Gratitude: Receive recognition for your dedicated service and our heartfelt gratitude for being a driving force behind our mission.

How to get involved:

Becoming a volunteer is simple! Just follow these steps to embark on your rewarding journey:

  • Apply: Complete our easy online volunteer application form to express your interest in joining us.
  • Orientation: Attend an orientation session to learn more about our mission, programs, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Training: Receive comprehensive training and ongoing support to excel in your chosen volunteer role.
  • Enjoy and Engage: Embrace the joy of inspiring young minds, and immerse yourself in the magic of play and discovery.

Ready to Make an Impact?

The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry invites you to become a catalyst for learning, sparking imagination and curiosity in the hearts of children. Join us in creating unforgettable experiences and empowering the next generation of creative problem solvers. Together, let's make a lasting difference!

Inspire Young Minds Today:

Apply to Volunteer Now! Click the button below to start your volunteer journey and be part of an incredible team dedicated to shaping a brighter future for children in the Lowcountry.

Thank you for your dedication and passion in making our museum a place of wonder and growth!

The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry Team

how you can help

Come PLAY with us! At CML, children can climb aboard a Lowcountry pirate ship, launch a paper airplane, or create inspired masterpieces every day in the Art Room. Play inspires creativity and encourages lifelong exploration of the world around us. PLAY Guides enhance the exhibit experience by monitoring safety and assisting visitors, but, most importantly, PLAY and facilitate positive learning experiences in the Museum interactives.

Volunteers in this role must desire to work with young children. They are reliable, independent, outgoing, and comfortable speaking with children and their grown-ups. PLAY Guides represent the Museum and are expected to be professional and courteous.

PLAY Guides commit to two-hour shifts that occur during operation hours (currently Thursday- Saturday from 9:30 am  –  5 pm and Sunday from 12 pm – 5 pm), successful completion of a Volunteer Training Session, and a background check (if 16 or older).

The Children’s Museum is open from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on the second and fourth Sundays of every month exclusively for children with special needs and their families to visit the Museum for FREE. Children are able to explore and play in the Museum without the crowds and over-stimulation.

Volunteers with experience working with children with special needs, as well as volunteers who have special needs themselves, are welcome. Super Helpers will serve as PLAY Guides and help facilitate play for our SuperStars! families.

Learn more about SuperStars! here: https://explorecml.org/happening-at-cml/programs/cml-superstars/

Be active, be green! Come explore the organic garden at CML. We have native plants to see, touch, smell, and taste. Green Gurus can interact with children and their grown-ups or work behind the scenes to keep the Garden beautiful. Encourage children to pick herbs to taste, go on a bug hunt or pick some papyrus grass to use as a paintbrush. Green Gurus may challenge visitors to old-fashioned games such as hopscotch or four-square or create structures with a giant set of wooden blocks in our outdoor garden exhibit!

Prefer helping to maintain the Garden? Green Gurus are also needed to water, trim and maintain the plants.

Volunteers in this role are reliable, independent, and enjoy gardening. Green Gurus can be quiet and relaxed while maintaining the Garden or energetic, comfortable speaking with children and their grown-ups, and willing to engage our visitors during PLAY. Green Gurus represent CML and are expected to be professional and courteous.

Green Gurus wanting to interact with visitors commit to two-hour shifts that occur during operating hours (Thursday- Saturday from 9:30 am – 5 pm; Sunday from 12 pm – 5 pm).  Green Gurus wanting to help maintain the Garden are needed on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays.

Successful completion of a Volunteer Training Session and background check (if 16 or older) is required.

Not available during business operating hours, but still want to volunteer at CML? Join our Rock Stars of Special Events volunteers and assist with weekend and evening gatherings, fundraisers, outreach events, and festivals throughout the year! We have so much fun at our annual events such as Free Family Fridays and Noon Year’s Eve! Rock Stars work directly with the event planning team to ensure the smooth delivery of special events.

Volunteers in this role are reliable, independent, outgoing, comfortable speaking with children and their grown-ups, and willing to engage all families. General CML knowledge is helpful but not required. Rock Stars are expected to be professional and courteous. Special Events are scheduled in advance and are often on weekends or during evening hours.

Successful completion of a Volunteer Training Session and background check (if 16 or older) are required.

CML offers a variety of camps during school breaks. Junior Camp Counselors (ages 13-18) help make the camp experience special for our little campers (ages 3 – 10) by providing assistance with themed camp activities, arrival, and dismissal of campers, lunch, and PLAY throughout CML! A Senior Camp Counselor is always on-hand to offer guidance and support.

Volunteers in this role are reliable and outgoing and can handle multiple environments (CML interactives and the CML Camp Room) with ease. Patience and a desire to work with children are required. Junior Camp Counselors represent CML and are expected to be professional and courteous. Camps are typically offered during Thanksgiving, winter, spring, and summer breaks. Summer Camps are week-long and Junior Camp Counselors commit to full weeks (Monday – Friday from 8:15 am – 12:45 pm or Monday – Friday from 12:15 pm – 4:45 pm).

Successful completion of a Volunteer Training Session and background check (if 16 or older) are required.

In 2021, we made over 14,000 bags and we need your help to make that happen! Groups or individuals can help make the components that go in the bag or assemble large quantities. An example can be one person cutting yarn, rolling tape, or dividing egg cartons or a group putting those pieces in 1000 brown bags so they are ready to go into local schools.

Learn more about Brown Bags here: https://explorecml.org/brown-bag-stem-challenge.

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Individual Volunteers

As a nonprofit, we are always looking for energetic volunteers who want to work and PLAY in a fun environment. We have opportunities for everyone – from high school students to retirees!

  1. Complete the Adult Volunteer Application form or the Junior Volunteer Application form
  2. A CML staff member will review the application and connect. A background check will be completed if the volunteer applicant is over 16 years old.
  3. Attend a Volunteer Training Session. Please contact karen.karl@exploreCML.org to schedule. Please note that we do not hold Volunteer Training Sessions during the summer.
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Group Volunteers

We welcome school groups, corporate groups, and community groups to volunteer at CML throughout the year. Please complete the Group Volunteer Application Form.

Please contact Karen Karl at karen.karl@exploreCML.org to arrange an activity and time that works for you.