“The Austin Children’s Museum accommodates all interests, talents and schedules”

“The Austin Children’s Museum accommodates all interests, talents and schedules. Volunteers are welcome anytime the museum is open. We do not require a long-term commitment or minimum hours of service. Volunteers are given hands on experience with local children and their families by engaging and encouraging strong minds. Volunteer opportunities are carefully designed to provide a fulfilling and meaningful experience for the participant, one where they feel a true connection between their role and the direct impact it has on the Museum mission. Volunteers at the museum are an extension of staff and a valued treasure to the community.”

Austin Children’s Museum Mission:
It is the mission of the Austin Children’s Museum to inspire young children and the adults in their lives to experience the joy of learning through the power of constructive play.

Major Activities and Services:
The Austin Children’s Museum offers young children the opportunity to play and learn through hands-on, interactive exhibits based on science, math, art, culture and music.

No other organization in Austin offers this kind of diverse learning experience to children from all backgrounds. In recent years, children had the opportunity to learn about bats and their environment with the Bats In My World feature exhibit. This exhibit was produced by the Austin Children’s Museum in partnership with Bat Conservation International. Bats In My World reached thousands of children when it traveled twice on tours around the country.

Through the Open Door Policy, any family is welcome to the Museum, regardless of their ability to pay. Almost 30% of visitors to the Museum utilize this benefit in one form or another. The Museum also reduces admission for Title 1 school groups. Wednesday nights are Community Nights when the Museum stays open late and admission is a suggested donation of $1 per person.

Long-term, after 20 years in the community, the Austin Children’s Museum is now seeing its second generation of visitors. Many parents and even staff members, who once played with Stuffee or at the Grocery Store as kids, are now returning with their own children to play or work at the Museum.

Each year the museum welcomes over 180,000 guests from Central Texas and beyond to come Explore, Discover, Play, Learn, Create and Invent through its many exhibits and programming. Feature exhibits are unveiled to the public every 3-5 months while guests have the ongoing enjoyment of dozens of permanent exhibits situated throughout 16,000 square feet of museum gallery. Permanent exhibits include FunStruction, Shadow Garden, Austin Kiddie Limits, Rising Star Ranch, Splish and Global City. Every year children of varying ages enjoy programs like Baby Bloomers, Gingerbread House Workshops, Scout Sleepovers and 14 weeks of camp! Literacy and Science initiatives are active through our Eager to Learn and UT Hands on Science Programs.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteers are required to submit a Volunteer Application and complete a two hour Volunteer Orientation. In addition, Volunteers who are under the age of 18 must submit a Medical Release Form signed by their parent or guardian. Orientation is held on the first Wednesday of every month.

Certain positions that are event-related may require separate training and an interview process. The Volunteer Coordinator through correspondence and interviews, places the volunteer in a position that best fit their talents, skills and schedule. Volunteers are required to be at least 12 years old and must submit a minimum of one reference. The Austin Children’s Museum does not accept Community Service Restitution hours or any referrals from the court.

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Docents
The museum is looking for consistent and dependable adult volunteers who can donate 8-10 hours per month providing educational content and interactive experiences to school tours benefiting over 40,000 children a year. Help children get the most out of their museum experience and sign up to be a Docent today!

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Community Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to facilitate monthly activities to children at the Seton Children’s Hospital of Austin. Exhibit components will travel with the volunteer to the hospital for children of all ages to enjoy. This is an ongoing opportunity available to volunteers who complete training and are available for a minimum of 3 hours on the 4th Tuesday of each month.

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Gallery Volunteer
Like to wear a lot of hats? Be a gallery volunteer and do it all. Greet guests, interpret exhibits, engage imagination through themed story telling, be creative with recycled materials and facilitate demonstrations. 2.5 and 3 hour shifts available.

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Counselors In Training
Calling all 14-18 year old volunteers! This hands-on leadership opportunity is just the skill building experience you are looking for. Practice your interviewing skills and resume building by applying for this opportunity available during Spring Break and Summer Camps. Volunteers will build confidence and management skills needed to become a museum Intern.

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Junior Volunteers (JV’s)
Volunteers 12-18 are needed in the gallery during our busy summer months. Make a four-week commitment and gain the experience of providing customer service, interacting with the public and working as a part of team with peers and museum staff. Get a taste of everything the museum has to offer by

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Elementary Age Intern – Full Day Summer Camp
9am-5:30pm, M-F (42.5 hours per week).
Choose either four weeks from May 29 to June 23, four weeks from June 26 to July 21 (excluding July 4), or three weeks from July 24 to August 11.
Responsible for co-teaching a camp with a Texas Certified teacher and 4 other assistants at the Austin Children’s Museum for 35 kids each week, ages 7-10. Assists with preparing supplies for camps, helps supervise teen volunteers, helps organize the schedule for the day, supervises campers to keep them safe and engaged on daily field trips, is in charge of afternoon general clean up and after-care supervision of campers.

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Early Childhood Intern – Half Day Summer Camp
7:30-12:30, M-F (25 hours per week).
Choose either four weeks from May 29 to June 23, four weeks from June 26 to July 21 (excluding July 4), or three weeks from July 24 to August 11. There is also work for the two weeks after school starts: August 14 and 21.
Responsible for co-teaching a camp with a Texas Certified teacher and 4 other assistants at the Austin Children’s Museum for 25 kids each week, ages 4-6. Assists with preparing supplies for camps, helps with implementation of curriculum, staffs educational stations and communicates main points, checking for understanding; helps supervise teen volunteers, helps organize the schedule for the day, supervises campers to keep them safe and engaged.

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Contact Information:
Kristin Garbarino ( garbarinok@austinkids.org )
Phone: 512.472.2499, ext 210
FAX: 512.472.2495
201 Colorado Street
Austin, Texas 78701

For More Information about Austin Children’s Museum, visit their website at www.austinkids.org/.

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— KUT Staff