Volunteer at Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Join over 500 dedicated volunteers who contribute more than 23,000 hours annually to inspire wonder, exploration, and appreciation of our world. Become a Turtle Bay volunteer today and help us create a lasting impact.

How To Get Involved

Submit application online, complete onboarding orientation, attend meet and greet with volunteer coordinator.

Volunteer Opportunities

Make a difference! Help us deliver engaging educational programs, care for animals, maintain beautiful gardens, and support special events. Be part of a team that brings joy and learning to thousands of visitors.

CORE VOLUNTEER

Assist with annual events like the Garden of Lights, Special Events, and daily operations. Help with guest services, member outreach, mailings, and data entry.
*Opportunities open to volunteers age 13 and older.*

DESCRIPTION: As a Core Volunteer at Turtle Bay, you are an essential part of our mission-driven efforts. This versatile role is ideal for enthusiastic and reliable individuals who want to make a significant impact, whether at dynamic public events or supporting crucial work behind the scenes. Core Volunteers provide the operational and administrative support that keeps our organization thriving.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Event Support: Assist at a variety of special fundraising and community events throughout the year.
Tasks are diverse and may include:
Guest Services: Registration, ticket taking, and providing general information to attendees.
Event Operations: Setup and cleanup of event spaces, working both inside and outside exhibition halls.
Hospitality: Serving refreshments, and managing raffle tickets, food, and drinks.
Outreach & Engagement: Representing Turtle Bay at outreach booths at local fairs and festivals. Volunteers will provide accurate information, hand out materials, and speak knowledgeably about the Museum's programs and membership benefits.
2. Administrative & Clerical Support:
Provide vital office support to help our staff run smoothly.
Tasks may include:
Preparing bulk member mailings (folding, stuffing, sealing, labeling).
Data entry and updating records in our database.
Filing, photocopying, organizing materials, and other light office tasks.
Age: 13 and up
Time Commitment:
This opportunity offers highly flexible scheduling. You can choose to volunteer at specific events, assist with administrative projects during office hours, or both! Time commitments vary, allowing you to sign up for shifts that fit your availability.
Major Annual Fundraising Events:
Auction (March): Our largest fundraiser. Volunteers can help with décor, procuring items, setup, running the event, and tear-down.
Brews by the Bridge (June): A summer celebration.
Oktoberfest (October): A fall tradition.
Other Opportunities:
Assistance is also needed at smaller events such as Member Morning with Santa, Funding Family’s events, exhibition openings, and ongoing administrative projects.
Ideal Candidate:
Reliable, friendly, and enjoys interacting with the public (for event roles).
Detail-oriented and comfortable working on computers for administrative tasks.
Able to perform light physical tasks (lifting, carrying for events; sitting for administrative work).
A strong communicator who can represent Turtle Bay positively.
Team-oriented and willing to assist wherever needed.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Recruitment
- Complete Turtle Bay Volunteer application and onboarding.

Animal Care

Maintaining animal habitats, assisting staff, and providing animal enrichment.
*Adult: Accepts adult volunteers in the fall, requires background check.*

ADULT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
DESCRIPTION: Assist staff and work alongside other Volunteers to maintain animal habitats, provide enrichments, and provide additional animal care as designated. Provide routine care to aquatic/amphibian collection, including food preparation, feeding, evaluation of health status, and daily life-support monitoring.
Assist in the Parrot Playhouse walk-through aviary and the Seasonal Butterfly House as needed
REQUIREMENTS: Excellent work ethic and strong people skills. Don’t mind getting dirty, able to bend, crouch and scrub. Capable of working in all outdoor weather, competent in following very strict animal safety protocols, ect.
Age: Over 18
Time: Minimum of 4 hours per week
APPLICATION PROCESS: Recruitment
- Complete Turtle Bay Volunteer application and onboarding.
- Attend an interview with the department volunteer supervisor.
- Attend mandatory animal safety class.
- Pass safety test within two weeks (can be taken as many times as needed to pass)
-Pass background check.
- Qualified candidates will be notified and scheduled.

Animal Habitat Care Teen

Maintaining animal habitats, assisting staff, and providing animal enrichment.
*Teen: Commit to 12 shift per quarter, complete safety class, and pass test*

HABITAT CARE TEEN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
DESCRIPTION: The Animal husbandry volunteer position offers an opportunity to make a difference for the animals at TBEP. Husbandry is the practice of creating an environment to support the animal in our care. Our quality of work is their quality of life! Providing excellent husbandry allows for our animals to thrive in our care as well as maintain a safe, healthy and comfortable life. With upwards of 100 animals, we cannot do it alone. The devoted work of the Animal husbandry volunteers is beyond appreciated.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Cleaning- Animal exhibit, Animal travel kennel, Animal preparation space (kitchen, Animal Recovery Center
- Make enrichment items- Enrichment is the preparing and providing animals with objects, scents and other forms of stimulus to interact with to keep their lives fulfilled.
This position is a hands-on manual labor position that requires hard, dedicated, detail-oriented work with bending, scrubbing, lifting, and carrying items in all types of weather (hot, cold, rain, snow). Please dress accordingly. There will be no touching or interacting with the animals without explicit permission. Remember that you are a volunteer to help us and the animals. The public identifies you as a representative of Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Failing to uphold rules and regulations will result in discipline up to and including termination of the program.

Age: 13 to 17
Time: Shifts are 3 hours long from 9am-12pm and/or 1pm-4pm
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Complete Turtle Bay Volunteer application and onboarding.
- Complete Habitat Care Teen Application
1. Attend mandatory animal safety class.
2. Pass safety test within two weeks (can be taken as many times as needed to pass)

Collections & Exhibits

Researching, archiving, and exhibits installation.
*Adult: Accepts adult volunteers as needed, requires background check.*
*Teen: Accepts teen volunteers as needed.*

ADULT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
ADULT COLLECTIONS VOLUNTEER

DESCRIPTION: The Collections & Exhibitions Volunteer is an integral part of our team, providing crucial support in the care of our permanent collection and the execution of dynamic exhibitions. This role offers a unique behind-the-scenes experience in a museum setting, perfect for those passionate about art, history, and museum operations.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with the preparation and installation of new exhibitions, including handling artifacts. Aid in the care and organization of the permanent collection of 35,000+ artworks and historic objects. Perform accurate object data entry and collection record updates in our database. Support ongoing research, design, and special projects for the department. Contribute to volunteer-driven mini-exhibitions from concept to fruition. Handle art and artifacts with the utmost care and according to museum best practices.
Age: Over 18
Time: Minimum of 4 hours per week, Monday-Friday
APPLICATION PROCESS: Recruitment
- Complete Turtle Bay Volunteer application and onboarding.
- Attend an interview with the department volunteer supervisor.
-Pass background check.
- Qualified candidates will be notified and scheduled.
ADULT COLLECTIONS MOVE VOLUNTEER
DESCRIPTION: Volunteers will play a direct, hands-on role in the careful preparation and movement of the museum's art and artifact collection. After comprehensive training, volunteers will assist with tasks essential to ensuring the safety and accurate tracking of our community's historical treasures during this transition to a new storage facility.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Inventory & Data Entry: Carefully cataloging items and updating digital records.
Artifact Handling: Meticulously wrapping and padding art and artifacts using specialized archival materials to ensure their safety during transit.
Labeling & Logistics: Clearly labeling storage boxes and updating location records in our collections management system.
Storage Prep: Taking apart and reassembling artifact storage racks at the new facility.
Light Moving: Transporting packed boxes and light furniture (optional and based on individual ability)
Age: Over 18
Time: Minimum of 4 hours per week, Monday-Friday
APPLICATION PROCESS: Recruitment
- Complete Turtle Bay Volunteer application and onboarding.
- Attend an interview with the department volunteer supervisor.
-Pass background check.
- Qualified candidates will be notified and scheduled.
TEEN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
DESCRIPTION: The Collections & Exhibitions Volunteer is an integral part of our team, providing crucial support in the care of our permanent collection and the execution of dynamic exhibitions. This role offers a unique behind-the-scenes experience in a museum setting, perfect for those passionate about art, history, and museum operations.
REQUIREMENTS: Assist with the preparation and installation of new exhibitions, including handling artifacts. Aid in the care and organization of the permanent collection of 35,000+ artworks and historic objects. Perform accurate object data entry and collection record updates in our database. Support ongoing research, design, and special projects for the department. Contribute to volunteer-driven mini-exhibitions from concept to fruition. Handle art and artifacts with the utmost care and according to museum best practices.
Age: 13-17
Time: Minimum of 4 hours per week, Monday-Friday
APPLICATION PROCESS: Recruitment
- Complete Turtle Bay Volunteer application and onboarding.
- Attend an interview with the department volunteer supervisor.
- Qualified candidates will be notified and scheduled.
TEEN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
TEEN COLLECTIONS VOLUNTEER
DESCRIPTION: The Collections & Exhibitions Volunteer is an integral part of our team, providing crucial support in the care of our permanent collection and the execution of dynamic exhibitions. This role offers a unique behind-the-scenes experience in a museum setting, perfect for those passionate about art, history, and museum operations.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with the preparation and installation of new exhibitions, including handling artifacts. Aid in the care and organization of the permanent collection of 35,000+ artworks and historic objects. Perform accurate object data entry and collection record updates in our database. Support ongoing research, design, and special projects for the department. Contribute to volunteer-driven mini-exhibitions from concept to fruition. Handle art and artifacts with the utmost care and according to museum best practices.
Age: 13-17
Time: Minimum of 4 hours per week, Monday-Friday
APPLICATION PROCESS: Recruitment
- Complete Turtle Bay Volunteer application and onboarding.
- Attend an interview with the department volunteer supervisor.
- Qualified candidates will be notified and scheduled.

Education

Assisting with school groups, facilitating activity stations, public demonstrations, and outdoor education.
*Adult: Accepts adult volunteers as needed, requires background check.*
*Teen: Commit to 1 shift a month, assist with 1 camp a year, and attend continuing ED training.*

ADULT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
DESCRIPTION: Responsible for ensuring a high quality, educational experience for all visitors regardless of age or background. Volunteers will work various locations on the Park Campus with varying responsibilities including but not limited to: leading museum tours, giving formal interpretive and education programs, working fixed locations while providing informal interpretation and education, assisting in special events as available, and performing other duties as assigned. Volunteers will oftentimes be the first point of contact for a visitor and serve as a front-line interpreter/educator and ambassador for Turtle Bay Exploration Park.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Excellent work ethic and the ability to function and work independently. Maintain a positive, courteous, helpful attitude towards both co-volunteers and staff. Be willing to learn how to actively engage visitors of all ages and to inspire wonder, exploration, and appreciation of our world.

Age: 18 and over
Time: Weekdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and weekends from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Submit the online volunteer application.
- Attend an interview/orientation with the department volunteer supervisor.
- Candidates will be notified and scheduled.
TEEN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
DESCRIPTION: Assist staff and work alongside other Volunteers to ensure a high-quality, educational experience for all visitors regardless of age or background. Teen Volunteers will work in various locations on the Park Campus with varying responsibilities including but not limited to facilitating hands-on activities, engaging visitors, assisting staff during summer camp or public programs, and providing quality customer service. Volunteers will oftentimes be the first point of contact for a visitor and serve as a front-line interpreter/educator and ambassador for Turtle Bay Exploration Park.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Excellent work ethic and the ability to function and work independently. Attend mandatory orientation/training, handle, retrieve and assist in cleaning up the department's biofacts and artifacts. Comfortable standing, walking, and wearing masks for long periods of time. Maintain a positive, courteous, helpful attitude towards both co-volunteers and staff. Well-organized and able to function independently. Sincerely wants to volunteer at Turtle Bay.

Age: 13 plus
Time: Weekdays with flexibility anytime between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Prefer a commitment of 2 hours or more per week.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Submit the teen online volunteer application.
- Attend a 15-minute interview with the department volunteer supervisor and lead teen.
- Attend mandatory orientation/training day.
- Candidates will be notified and scheduled.

Horticulture

Plant propagation, plant sales, weeding, and gardening.
*Adult: Accepts adult volunteers as needed.*
*Teen: Eligible teens must be 14 years of age before their first shift and commit to one year of volunteering.*

GARDENS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
DESCRIPTION: A great way to learn about plants and designs for your own garden will at the same time work with staff and other volunteers to maintain and improve the gardens. Wonderful opportunity to meet gardeners with similar interests. Weeding, raking, pruning, planting are all parts of caring for the gardens
RESPONSIBILITIES: Enjoy plant and Horticulture and are motivated to learn about their care. Able to take directions and follow through. Ability to ask questions when you are uncertain about directions given. Our projects are like any other garden projects where they're standing, bending, kneeling, and lifting.

Age: 14 +
Time: Wednesday mornings in the Gardens from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm (summer Volunteer hours).
Involvement: minimum of 2-4 hours per week
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Submit the online volunteer application.
- 18+ Application
- 14+ Application
- Attend an interview with the department volunteer supervisor.
- Candidates will be notified and scheduled.
PLANT NURSERY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
DESCRIPTION: Work with staff and other volunteers in the process of propagating new plants and growing them to viable plant nursery stock. Volunteer projects include learning and using propagation techniques, caring for the needs of the plants in our nursery, such as pruning, weeding, fertilizing, ect.
REQUIREMENTS: Love plants and being motivated to learn about their care, Have the ability to ask questions when you are uncertain about the directions given. Our projects are like most projects where there is standing, bending, and lifting.

Age: 14+
Time: Tuesdays in the Nursery from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Involvement: minimum of 2-4 hours per week.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Submit the online volunteer application.
- 18+ Application
- 14+ Application
- Attend a group interview with the department volunteer supervisor.
- Candidates will be notified and scheduled.

River Tank Diver

Volunteer Diver for River Tank exhibit. Assisting staff and collaborating with fellow volunteers by providing animal and exhibit care, learning and following husbandry guidelines, monitoring animal behavior and health, and reporting observations to staff.
*Adult: Must be scuba certified with all necessary equipment, requires background check.*

ADULT DIVER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
DESCRIPTION: Volunteer Diver for River Tank exhibit. Assist staff and work alongside other Volunteers. Provide animal and exhibit care as designated; learn proper husbandry guidelines and become knowledgeable in normal behaviors. Observe and report the health status of each individual animal.
REQUIREMENTS: Scuba certified with all necessary equipment. Excellent work ethic and strong people skills. Don’t mind getting dirty, able to bend, crouch and scrub. Capable of working in all outdoor weather, competent in following very strict animal safety protocols, etc.
Age: Over 18
Time: Minimum of 4 hours per week
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Submit the online volunteer application.
- Attend an interview with the department volunteer supervisor.
- Attend mandatory animal safety class
- Pass safety test within two weeks (test can be taken as many times as needed to pass)
- Qualified candidates will be notified and scheduled.