Come PLAY with us! At CML, children can race boats down rapids, climb aboard a Lowcountry pirate ship, drive an antique fire truck, race golf balls down a roller coaster, find gems under the waterfall 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 are reliable, independent, outgoing, comfortable speaking with children and their grown-ups and have a desire to work with young children. 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 (Tuesday – Saturday from 9am  – 5pm; Sunday from 12pm – 5pm). Peak hours are 9:30am – 12:30pm on weekdays and all hours during the weekend.

Successful completion of a Volunteer Training Session, a background check (if 16 or older) and a commitment of at least 30 hours are required.

Get your creative juices flowing! Be a Creative Champion by engaging and inspiring children and their grown-ups in the Art Room! Creative Champions encourage the exploration of art concepts and the use of various artistic media. They also help prepare materials for art programs and maintain a creative and welcoming atmosphere in the Art Room.

Volunteers in this role are reliable, creative, flexible, independent, outgoing, comfortable speaking with children and their grown-ups and have a desire to work with young children. Creative Champions represent CML and are expected to be professional and courteous.

Creative Champions commit to two-hour shifts that occur during operating hours (Tuesday – Saturday from 9am – 5pm; Sunday from 12pm – 5pm). Peak hours are 9:30am – 12:30pm on weekdays and all hours during the weekend.

Successful completion of a Volunteer Training Session, a background check (if 16 or older) and a commitment of at least 30 hours are required.

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 keeping the Garden beautiful. Encourage children to pick herbs to take home for dinner, 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 hop-scotch or four-square or create structures with a giant set of wooden blocks! Prefer helping to maintain the Garden? Green Gurus are 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 (Tuesday – Saturday from 9am – 5pm; Sunday from 12pm – 5pm). Peak hours are 9:30am – 12:30pm on weekdays and all hours during weekend. Successful completion of a Volunteer Training Session and background check (if 16 or older) and a commitment of at least 30 hours are required.

Green Gurus wanting to help maintain the Garden are needed on Mondays or early mornings. Successful completion of a background check (if 16 or older) is required.

Help CML stay organized and make a world of difference in ensuring our amazing programs run smoothly! Tasks include computer work, filing, mailings and other administrative duties as they occur.

Volunteers in this role are reliable, independent, detail-oriented, have experience in Microsoft Office software and take initiative. Experience with Altru is a plus. Office Owls are expected to be professional and courteous. Office Owls commit to one to two-hour shifts during office hours (Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm).

Successful completion of a background check (if 16 or older) and a commitment of at least 30 hours are required.

Educate the next Einstein! Encourage and celebrate learning through PLAY! Exceptional Educators assist in educational programs for children ages Birth – 10 in the CML interactives and engage students on school field trips. Prefer working behind the scenes? Exceptional Educators may also prepare materials for upcoming programs.

Volunteers in this role are reliable, flexible, enthusiastic, have good communication skills, enjoy working with children and their grown-ups and are able to take direction. Exceptional Educators represent CML and are expected to be professional and courteous. Exceptional Educators commit to two-hour shifts that occur during Tuesdays – Fridays from 9am – 4pm, but preferably between 9:30am – 12:30pm. Monday shifts are available for preparing materials.

Successful completion of a Volunteer Training Session and background check (if 16 or older) and a commitment of at least 30 hours are required.

We can’t PLAY unless CML is safe and clean! Handy Helpers assist in the cleaning and maintenance of CML interactives on Mondays. Handy Helpers may be needed during interactive transitions and renovations.

Volunteers in this role are reliable, flexible, independent, help with the general upkeep of the interactives and assist with repairing and moving exhibit structures. Handy Helpers typically have a general knowledge of construction or repair work or enjoy cleaning. The ability to engage in physical activity is required. Handy Helpers are expected to be professional and courteous.

Successful completion of a background check (if 16 or older) is required.

Come out and PLAY! Join CML at SC Stingrays games, the Charleston Farmers Market, PlayUP Charleston events, local school events and other community outreach events! On the Road PLAY Guides represent CML while leading fun activities at events across the Lowcountry. They assist CML staff, monitor safety and, most importantly, PLAY and facilitate positive learning experiences for children.

Volunteers in this role are reliable, independent, outgoing, comfortable speaking with children and their grown-ups and are willing to engage all families. General CML knowledge is helpful but not required. Community outreach events are scheduled in advance and are often on weekends or during evening hours. On the Road PLAY Guides are expected to be professional and courteous.

Successful completion of a Volunteer Training Session and background check (if 16 or older) and a commitment of at least 30 hours are 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 festival throughout the year! We have so much fun at our annual events such as FAM JAM and Noon Year’s Eve! Rock Stars work directly with the event planning team to assist with set-up and break down and to ensure smooth delivery of special events.

Volunteers in this role are reliable, independent, outgoing, comfortable speaking with children and their grown-ups and are 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 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 (outside, 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 8:15am – 12:45pm or Monday – Friday from 12:15pm – 4:45pm).

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