Volunteer
Volunteer with us and share your enthusiasm!
There are many trails to explore at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center - through woods, up hills, and across the marsh, but a different path of adventure awaits those who volunteer. Volunteering at the Science Center presents opportunities to learn something new and meet interesting people while sharing your talents and skills. The Science Center is here for you!
Volunteer Opportunities
Animal Care Volunteer
Animal Care Husbandry volunteer responsibilities include feeding and cleaning the enclosures of turtles, snakes, mealworms, and cockroaches, preparing diets for program mammals, and assisting with other daily chores. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, capable of working independently, and care for animals in a thoughtful and professional manner. Animal Care volunteers must have proof of current tetanus vaccination and health insurance, and are required to sign an assumption of risk and liability waiver. Animal Care positions are available year-round, and volunteers must commit to at least 40 hours of service in their first year. Volunteers will have a regular two-hour morning or afternoon shift scheduled on the same day each week from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 to 3 p.m.
Animal Care Enrichment Volunteers is a project-based opportunity focused on planning and building enrichment for various species. Animal Care staff will provide the concept and specifications. Animal Care staff and the volunteer will arrange when to meet, where the enrichment will be made, and logistics after the items are completed.
The Animal Care Behavior Ethogram Volunteer assists staff by recording animal behavior and use of animal enrichment within all animals. The volunteer will plan to primarily be on the exhibit trail. Animal Care staff will provide a tablet and software, and plan to be at each exhibit for about 15 minutes (about 2 hours per session) once a week.
Docent
Docents are trained to interpret our exhibit trail and New Hampshire’s natural world and act as a welcoming and informative presence for visitors, using educational props and live animals. Docents are most active on our exhibit trails May through October, but opportunities are available year-round. They can also be found assisting naturalists with programs, leading tours, and hosting hands-on Discovery Tables at fairs, festivals, and other community events throughout the year. A formal training program is offered each year to train new docents. Training is a 40-hour commitment. Docents must be 18 years of age or older.
Exhibits and Maintenance
Several volunteer positions fall under this category, including ground-level exhibit window washing, prepping and splitting cord wood, and invasive species removal. Volunteers assist in maintaining an attractive, healthy, and safe environment for our visitors. Volunteers in this assignment are on-call; regularly scheduled shifts may be available from May through October. Youth 12 to 15 years old may apply if accompanied by an adult.
First Guides Program
First Guides is a teen volunteer program based on our adult docent program. During the summer, teens between the ages of 14 and 17 attend training to become a welcoming and informative presence on the exhibit trail, often demonstrating animal artifacts alongside volunteer docent mentors with live animals. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year. Funding for this project was provided by the Bea and Woolsey Conover Fund of the Lakes Region/New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Greeters
Volunteer Greeters provide a welcoming presence for visitors and school groups. During the fall and spring, volunteers greet arriving school groups, review schedules with them, and help orient them. During the busy summer months, greeters staff an information station at the Trailhead Gallery. Greeters may also be stationed on the trail to answer questions. All Greeter positions are scheduled according to the availability of the volunteer. Youth between 12 and 15 may apply if accompanied by an adult.
Group Volunteers
Volunteer groups from organizations such as businesses and schools are invited to schedule a day of service ranging from two to six hours. A variety of projects may be available, such as removing invasive plant species, special events assistance, and trail upkeep.
Kirkwood Gardens
Garden volunteers help to maintain beautiful Kirkwood Gardens. Novice gardeners are welcome and perform tasks alongside experienced gardeners and staff. Assignments include gardening, planning and helping with plant sales and garden tours, turning compost, operating light machinery, and moving garden supplies. Volunteer opportunities are Thursday mornings, 8:30 a.m.– 11:30 a.m., May through October. Volunteers are welcome to participate without committing to a regular schedule. Youth 12 to 15 may apply if accompanied by an adult.
Lake Education Assistant
Volunteers in this assignment assist with Lake Education programs. Lake Education Assistants help students use lake monitoring equipment aboard pontoon boats. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, and possess maturity, patience, and skill while interacting with elementary and high school age students. Lake Education Assistants are most active in May and June, with some opportunities available in the summer and fall. A two-hour training is offered annually in April.
Office
Office volunteers help communicate with the public by assisting with mailings, copying, filing, and data entry. Most assignments are in the Welcome Center or the Volunteer Room. Volunteers must maintain confidentiality of information and be respectful of office procedures and staff. Volunteers will be on call for assignments. Volunteers engaged in special projects may be assigned a weekly or bi-weekly schedule, with shifts typically lasting two to four hours.
Special Events
Volunteers assist with many special events held throughout the year including Clean-Up Day, Kirkwood Gardens Day, and Halloween Hoot ‘N Howl. Volunteer activities may include planning, registration, games and crafts supervision, set-up and clean-up, and food preparation and service.
