For Teachers
 Field Trip Guidelines
  Docent-led Field Trips
  Self-guided Field Trips
 Program Descriptions
  Art Programs
  Garden Programs
  Library Programs
 Lesson Plans
  Art Lessons
  Images for Art Lessons
  Garden Lessons
  Library Lessons
 Professional
 Development
  Classes and Institutes
  Grounding in Botany 2006
      Past Institutes
  The Computable Plant 2004 & 2005
  Grounding in Botany 2005

 For Visitors
 Youth & Families
  Youth & Family Programs
  Explorers
 Adults
  Continuing Education Programs
  Exhibits

 For Volunteers

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.

Thinking about becoming a Huntington Volunteer?  Did you know...

• You don't have to have an art degree, a green thumb, or a background in history.
• Our volunteers range in age from 14 to 80 +
• You'll receive training specific to your volunteer assignment.
• Volunteer opportunities are available year-round, both on weekdays and weekends, in a variety of areas.
• You can volunteer once a week or once a month.
• You'll receive benefits like discounts in the bookstore and cafeteria, early entrance to the grounds, and invitations to special events and parties.

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 below and mail to:

The Huntington
Attn: Volunteers
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108

Adult Volunteer Application Form

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.  Projects range from assisting staff and instructors with Public Programs, facilitating demonstrations in the Plant Conservatory, welcoming visitors to the galleries and helping in the gardens.  Huntington staff provides High School volunteers with an orientation and appropriate training course(s).  Volunteers must complete an application, interview, attend all classes, and be available to volunteer for a minimum of 6 months.  Monthly hours of service will vary according to projects. 

Conservatory Program

The Conservatory for Botanical Science here at The Huntington is nationally recognized for its excellent exhibits.  They are interactive for both kids and adults and offer a unique view into plants.  (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

The Conservatory Facilitator is a people-focused individual primarily responsible for facilitating visitors’ experiences with informal science education.  Facilitators help visitors, including family groups, direct their own explorations of Conservatory exhibits and collections.

Public Programs

Public 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 collection 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. 

CSI: Conservatory Science Investigation

CSI 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. 

Huntington Gallery Welcome Center

Welcome Center Volunteers greet and orient visitors welcoming them to the gallery and oversee the loan and retrieval of audio guides to visitors.  This project is great for volunteers who want to interact and speak with the public. 

Gardening in the Children’s Garden

Do 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 Huntington’s Children’s Garden. 

Explorers Camp Program

For 3 weeks between the months of July and August, The Huntington offers a day camp with classes geared for children 5-12 years old.  Our 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)

Special Projects

Throughout the year various projects throughout The Huntington become available for a limited time only.  They are opportunities for volunteers to get involved and work with different areas and staff throughout The Huntington.  Volunteers are notified of these projects through the weekly E-NEWS emailed to all current high school volunteers.  Special projects may include: office mailings, plant sales or special events. 

For information on the High School Volunteer Program, please contact Mollie Swaner at mswaner@huntington.org or 626-405-3429.

How to Apply - High School Students ages 14-18

Print out and complete the High School Volunteer Application below and mail to:

The Huntington
Attn: Mollie Swaner (EDU)
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108

The Huntington accepts applications year round and begins orientation and training for new volunteers during the months of February and August. In order to volunteer for February 2009, please submit your application by Feb. 9, 2009.

New Volunteer Welcome and Orientation (required): February 20, 2009 (must complete application and interview prior to the orientation.)

High School Volunteer Application

 

The Volunteer Application Form can be read and printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have a copy of Acrobat Reader installed on your system, you may download a free copy from Adobe.

____________________________________________________
© 2008, The Huntington. All rights reserved.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108 Tel: 626-405-2100
Contact us