Volunteer Opportunities

Position Summary: 

This position is perfect if you have a passion for helping young children learn through play. In this role, you will have the chance to spend time in Port Discovery’s special exhibit spaces designed for children under five, providing visitors in those spaces with specialized engagement, education, and programming for early childhood learners.  

Primary Responsibilities and Requirements:  

• Support, facilitate, and engage museum visitors through Early Childhood programming including pop-up playtimes  

• Interface with the Port Discovery Learning & Visitor Experience team to ensure visitor satisfaction, safety, and enjoyment 

• Engage children in museum exhibits with story times, read-along sessions, and other activities designed to promote literacy 

• Ensure exhibit spaces are kept orderly and exhibit items are consistently available to visitors  

• Must be over the age of 15 years old and fulfill all other volunteer requirements as listed above 

• Volunteer shifts for this position are available weekdays and weekends from approximately 10 AM-3 PM 

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Experience working or volunteering with children (infants, toddlers, pre-k, and/or elementary age) preferred 

• Experience with theater or other performance skills a plus 

• A positive attitude and willingness to play 

• Strong customer service skills and/or experience working with the public 

• A flexible work attitude and ability to adapt under pressure 

Position Summary: 

Help young astronauts aim for the stars in Port Discovery’s Galactic Builders exhibit! In this role, you will be stationed in Galactic Builders, a creative engineering space where visitors can construct paper rockets, parachutes, and rovers while imagining new ways to explore the cosmos.  

Primary Responsibilities and Requirements:  

• Support, facilitate, and engage museum visitors through science programming intended for young learners ages 0-10 

• Interface with the Port Discovery Learning & Visitor Experience team to ensure visitor satisfaction, safety, and enjoyment 

• Engage children and adults in the Galactic Builders exhibit by assisting them in constructing rockets and parachutes out of paper and craft supplies 

• Present pop-up programming themed around science, technology, engineering, and math to enhance the exhibit experience 

• Ensure exhibit spaces are kept orderly and exhibit items are consistently available to visitors 

• Must be over the age of 15 years old and fulfill all other volunteer requirements as listed above 

• Volunteer shifts for this position are available weekdays and weekends from approximately 10 AM-3 PM 

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Experience working or volunteering with children (infants, toddlers, pre-k, and/or elementary age) preferred 

• Experience with science, technology, engineering, and math a plus 

• A positive attitude and willingness to encourage children’s curiosity 

• Strong customer service skills and/or experience working with the public 

• A flexible work attitude and ability to adapt under pressure 

Position Summary: 

In this position, you will assist the museum’s Learning & Visitor Experience department with day-to-day operations, including welcoming museum visitors into the building, assisting with guest needs, and ensuring Port Discovery visitors have a safe and joyful visit to Port Discovery. 

Primary Responsibilities and Requirements:  

• Support, facilitate, and engage museum visitors as they enter Port Discovery 

• Interact with visitors by engaging them with friendly conversation and assisting with any guest needs 

• Provide information about Port Discovery programs, exhibits, and accessibility  

• Must be over the age of 15 years old and fulfill all other volunteer requirements as listed above 

• Volunteer shifts for this position are available weekdays and weekends from approximately 10 AM-3 PM 

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Experience working or volunteering with children (infants, toddlers, pre-k, and/or elementary age) preferred 

• A positive attitude and willingness to encourage children’s curiosity and play 

• Strong customer service skills and/or experience working with the public 

• A flexible work attitude and ability to adapt under pressure 

Position Summary: 

This position is perfect for volunteers with a passion for art education. In this role, you will have the chance to spend time in Port Discovery’s Art Cove exhibit, working alongside staff members to run art projects, encourage creativity in visitors, and ensure the space stays clean and orderly. 

Primary Responsibilities and Requirements:  

• Support, facilitate, and engage museum visitors by instructing them on art project details, where to find supplies, and encouraging creativity 

• Interact with visitors making art to prompt curiosity and promote artistic creativity  

• Ensure the Art Cove stays clean and orderly by clearing tables, wiping down surfaces, and cleaning supplies throughout the day 

• Must be over the age of 15 years old and fulfill all other volunteer requirements as listed above 

• Volunteer shifts for this position are available weekdays and weekends from approximately 10 AM-3 PM 

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Experience working or volunteering with children (infants, toddlers, pre-k, and/or elementary age) preferred 

• Enthusiasm for all kinds of art is a must, experience with art and art education a plus 

• A positive attitude and willingness to play 

• Strong customer service skills and/or experience working with the public 

• A flexible work attitude and ability to adapt under pressure 

Position Summary: 

In this role, you will assist on Saturday evening events such as Scout Overnight Adventures, an opportunity for scouting groups ages 5-12 to have the museum to themselves for a sleepover in which they learn a new skill to earn a new badge, as well as other evening activities and events. 

Primary Responsibilities and Requirements:  

• Volunteer shifts for this opportunity are exclusively available Saturday evenings from 5 PM-11 PM in the months of January through June. 

• Assist Port Discovery staff members with preparing and running educational programming for scout groups 

• Assist with setting up and distributing evening food and snacks to attendees 

• Interface with the Port Discovery Learning & Visitor Experience team to ensure visitor satisfaction, safety, and enjoyment 

• Ensure exhibit spaces are kept orderly and exhibit items are consistently available to visitors 

• Must be over the age of 18 years old and fulfill all other volunteer requirements as listed above 

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Experience working or volunteering with children (infants, toddlers, pre-k, and/or elementary age) preferred 

• Experience with delivering educational programming a plus 

• Experience with scouting groups as a leader or a scout a plus 

• A positive attitude and willingness to encourage children’s curiosity and play 

• Strong customer service skills and/or experience working with the public 

• A flexible work attitude and ability to adapt under pressure 

Position Summary: 

In this role, you will assist Port Discovery staff with delivering educational programming to the community. This volunteer will assist the Learning & Visitor Experience team with “Port to Ports,” where Port Discovery offers pop-up programming at community events, and will work with the At Play Learning Institute to deliver early childhood educational opportunities at local day cares, elementary schools, and community centers. 

Primary Responsibilities and Requirements:  

• Assist Port Discovery staff members with delivering educational programming at locations other than Port Discovery 

• Assist with the transport of supplies and educational materials to locations throughout Central Maryland 

• Must be over the age of 18 years old and fulfill all other volunteer requirements as listed above 

• Volunteer shifts for this opportunity are available both weekdays and weekends on a shifting basis as events are scheduled 

• Volunteers in this position must provide a valid driver’s license and have a car available to transport themself and materials to offsite locations 

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Experience working or volunteering with children (infants, toddlers, pre-k, and/or elementary age) preferred 

• Experience with delivering educational programming a plus 

• A positive attitude and willingness to encourage children’s curiosity and play 

• Strong customer service skills and/or experience working with the public 

• A flexible work attitude and ability to adapt under pressure 

Volunteers must be 15 years of age to volunteer independently. If under 18 years of age, volunteers must be currently attending high school. Volunteers must be able to commit to working at least 50 hours with Port Discovery. A background check will be conducted. Volunteer candidates will be expected to conduct an interview with Port Discovery, and they will provide one professional reference. Port Discovery reserves the right to terminate a volunteer if museum standards and practices are violated.

Port Discovery is located at 35 Market Place in Baltimore, Maryland. Volunteers who drive can park in the Port Discovery employee lot located behind the building, using a one-day parking pass issued on each workday. We are also located next to the Shot Tower/Market Place Metro Subway Station if taking the Metro, and the Lombard Street & Market Place and Baltimore Street & President Street stops if taking the MTA Bus.

Volunteers must wear a solid-color shirt with jeans or khaki pants. Clothing must be clean and free from rips/tears or designs. Close-toed shoes are also required. When at Port Discovery, volunteers will wear a Port Discovery volunteer apron and name tag over their clothing. Hats are not permitted, with the exception of religious headwear. Shorts are permitted during the summer months as long as they are knee-length or longer.

Port Discovery offers flexible shifts according to your availability. Shifts are assigned and organized in varying lengths, depending on needs and interest. Shifts are available primarily on weekends, with weekday shifts available dependent on public school schedules and museum operating hours. Some shifts may be available for special events in evenings or on days such as holidays or Spring & Summer Break. You will meet with the Volunteer and Administrative Coordinator during onboarding to establish your desired positions, interests, and availability. 

Port Discovery volunteers fulfill a variety of roles with the museum. When applying to volunteer, you will meet with the Volunteer and Administrative Coordinator to establish which roles and departments you are interested in volunteering with. The Volunteer and Administrative Coordinator will then connect you to supervisors in your interested departments to share more about the availability and duties aligning with your interests. 

Contact Kathryn Schmitt, Volunteer and Administrative Coordinator at Port Discovery, via email or phone. We look forward to having you on the team! 

Kathryn Schmitt
kschmitt@portdiscovery.org
(410) 864-2722 

Port Discovery is happy to accommodate corporate volunteer groups as well as churches, high school-age scouting groups, and more! Send an email with your inquiry to volunteer@portdiscovery.org for more information on group volunteering.