Volunteering at The Huntington
Docents Needed!
Docents are currently being recruited for the Estate Tour program, providing introductory tours for groups. Participants will receive in-depth training from curators and staff, covering the history of the institution, the lives of founders Henry and Arabella Huntington, and highlights of the art, library, and botanical collections. Expand your own knowledge and enjoyment of The Huntington while playing a key educational role as a volunteer. Classes will be held on Tuesday mornings from July 13-Nov. 3. For information or an application, contact Mikki Heydorff at mheydorff@huntington.org or 626-405-2126.
|
Adult Volunteers High School Volunteers
Volunteering at The Huntington is a great way to learn about plants and culture, meet people with similar interests, and share your knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors! Volunteers are a vital and valued resource at The Huntington.
Are you thinking about becoming a Huntington Volunteer? Did you know...
Adult Volunteers
General Descriptions of Volunteer Opportunities for Adults
- Docents - Docents (volunteer teachers) conduct educational lessons for students
and adults in the Huntington and Scott art galleries, in the Library
exhibits, and the Gardens. Instruction by the curatorial staff is
presented in six to eight weekly sessions. An additional ten to twenty
hours of home study is required. After completion of a docent course, a
two-year commitment to lead educational lessons at least once a week
during the school year, and attending monthly meetings is required.
- Botanical Volunteers - Botanical volunteers work in the offices, gardens, and nurseries. Garden volunteers assist the curators with weeding, occasional planting, light trimming, and pruning. They arrange stock, make plant labels, work in the nurseries, and propagate and pot plants for the annual Huntington plant sale.
- Special Projects Volunteers - Special projects volunteers take on specific tasks such as addressing invitations, preparing school packet information, or office tasks. No minimum time commitment is required and a wide selection of jobs is available.
- Service Volunteers - Service volunteers work throughout the institution in areas such as the Visitors Information Center. Time commitment requirements for Service Volunteers vary, but a two-year commitment to volunteer at The Huntington is required.
For more information on volunteering, contact Mikki Heydorff at
mheydorff@huntington.org or 626-405-2126.
How to Apply - Adults
Print and fill out the
Adult Volunteer Application Form and mail to:
The Huntington
Attn: Volunteers
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
High School Volunteers
General Descriptions of Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students
High School Volunteers work in areas throughout The Huntington supporting staff and a variety of projects. High School Volunteers welcome visitors to the galleries, facilitate demonstrations in the Plant Conservatory, work in the gardens and assist staff and instructors with public programs. Huntington staff provide high school volunteers with an orientation and appropriate training course(s). Volunteers must complete an application, interview, attend all training courses, and be available to volunteer 1 day per week for a minimum of 6 months. Hours of service will vary according to projects.
Conservatory Program with Rachel Vourlas, Irma Reyes and Gregg HuntThe Conservatory for Botanical Science is nationally recognized for its excellent exhibits. Interactive for both kids and adults, the exhibits offer a unique view into the world of plants.
Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months. (Training required)
Preparator: The Conservatory Preparator is a reliable individual primarily responsible for preparing the exhibits for visitors prior to public hours. Preparators ensure that visitors get the most out of their Conservatory experience by keeping the exhibits in good working order.
Facilitator: Conservatory Facilitators are people-focused individuals primarily responsible for facilitating visitors’ experiences with informal science education. Facilitators also help to maintain the Conservatory throughout the day, but have a particular focus on helping visitors, including family groups, direct their own explorations of Conservatory exhibits and collections.
Gallery Welcome Center with Sydney Moritz, Kelly Fernandez, Aileen Kelly, and Audrey DurdenWelcome Center Volunteers greet and orient visitors, welcome them to the art galleries, and oversee the loan and retrieval of audio guides to visitors. This project is ideal for volunteers who want to interact and speak with the public and familiarize themselves with The Huntington Art Collections.
Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months.
Gardening in the Children’s Garden with Jeff KarsnerDo you have a green thumb? Or, maybe you would like a green thumb? Volunteers learn and assist with the gardening, grooming and maintenance of plants in the Children’s Garden.
Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months.
CSI: Conservatory Science Investigation with Rachel Vourlas, Mike Kerkman and Martha KirouacCSI is a science-based school program for junior high school classes. Volunteers set-up and prepare the lab the evening before the school arrives preparing “evidence-kits,” creating pollen, soil and nectar samples, and setting up lab stations.
Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months.
Public Programs and the Explorers Camp are offered to volunteers after they have started volunteering in one of the above projects. Public Programs with Jennifer Phillips, Julianne Johnston and Alexandra VergunPublic Programs are educational, collection-based classes, workshops, lectures, and performances that are offered to the general public. They acquaint the public with The Huntington’s collections and encourage them to see The Huntington as a place for discovery and life-long learning. Continuing Education Programs serve adults while Youth and Family Programs serve children and families. Time requirement: roughly 4 shifts every 2 months.
Explorers Camp Program with Julianne JohnstonFor 3 weeks between the months of July and August, The Huntington offers a day camp with classes geared for children 5-12 years old. High School Volunteers have the opportunity to be camp counselors assisting teachers and working with kids. High School Volunteers must be available for all 5 days per week and can choose to work am/pm or full day. (Training required)
For information on the High School Volunteer Program, please contact Mollie Merchant Swaner at
mswaner@huntington.org or 626-405-3429.
How to Apply - High School Students ages 14-18
Step 1: Print out and complete the High School Volunteer Application and mail to:
The Huntington
Attn: Mollie Swaner (EDU)
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
New volunteers can join the volunteer program in either March or September. Applications are accepted year round. To be considered for the September 2010 volunteer term, please return your application to the volunteer office
no later than July 9, 2010. We typically receive more applications than we have volunteer positions and are unable to accept everyone.
Step 2: Sign-up for a group interview. All applicants will be contacted by mail to sign up for one of the group interview dates. Interview times are assigned on a first come first serve basis. We recommend sending in your application early for the best selection.
Step 3: Attend the New Volunteer Welcome & Orientation. All volunteers accepted into the program are required to attend the New Volunteer Welcome and Orientation prior to beginning their service. (Next Orientation is scheduled for August 21, 2010)