Opportunities From: New Hampshire's Volunteer Hub

Science Center Gardeners meet at Kirkwood Gardens, a public garden located off Route 3, and may opt to volunteer on any Thursday morning between 9:00 and 11:30 a.m. from May 1 through November 1. No experience is necessary to perform light gardening tasks, such as planting, weeding, and pruning. Youth volunteers 12 to 15 years old and older are invited with a chaperone. Youths 16 and older may volunteer without a chaperone. Visit Volunteer | Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (nhnature.org) for more information and to access a Volunteer Application.

Do you enjoy morning walks between May 1 and November 1? Volunteers assist staff as the trail is prepared for opening each day by cleaning glass exhibit windows. All windows are ground-level. Window washing cleaner or a vinegar/water solution is used. Volunteers walk the 3/4-mile animal exhibit trail and see animals just after their release into their exhibit spaces while performing their service. Chaperoned youth are invited to sign up. Volunteers may schedule intermittently according to their availability. Regular scheduling is also available.  Visit Volunteer | Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (nhnature.org) for more information and to access a Volunteer Application.

There are many volunteer opportunities at the Science Center! School Group Greeters welcome school groups as they arrive on buses, Lake Education Assistants lead lake-testing activities with school groups aboard pontoon boats, Greeters welcome visitors and provide information about the Science Center, Animal Care volunteers assist with cage cleaning and animal food preparation, office volunteers assist with mailings, and more! For aditional information and a brochure on volunteer opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Manager. Some services require a minimum age of 18. The Science Center may submit background checks on some services. Visit Volunteer | Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (nhnature.org) for service descriptions and to complete a Volunteer Application.

 Docents self-schedule time to demonstrate animal artifacts and engage with visitors as they walk along a live animal exhibit trail. Docents attend a formal 20-hour training program to learn interpretation. After formal training, they match additional time with mentors. In their second year, docents may train to handle live raptors, turtles, and other animals. Docents have opportunities to assist naturalists during off-site programs and represent the Science Center at local events. The exhibit trail is open daily between May 1 and November 1, but opportunities are available year-round. In 2025, Docent Training is scheduled June 19, 24, and 26 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and June 21 and 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information and to access a Volunteer Application, please visit the Volunteer Page on the Science Center's website Volunteer | Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (nhnature.org).

Animal Care husbandry volunteers assist staff with basic tasks such as cleaning cages, washing animal dishes, and preparing diets for animals that live at the Science Center. Volunteers do not handle the animals, but are in close proximity to many small wild species. Volunteers are scheduled for a specific weekly 2-hour shift. They are at least 18 years old. Training is experiential and on-going. Volunteers commit to at least 40 hours of service. To learn more and to access the Volunteer Application, please visit the Volunteer Page on the Science Center's website Volunteer | Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (nhnature.org).

School Group Greeters welcome school children, teachers, chaperones, and bus drivers as they arrive weekday mornings. School Group Greeters assist with delivering basic information and making sure the teachers and chaperones know what to do, where to lead the groups, and are available to answer questions. School Group Greeters are most active in May and June, and somewhat active in September and October. Training for the position in 2024 is May 1 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Volunteers may train individually if they are unable to attend the May 1 training session. Hours vary daily according to the school arrival schedule. Volunteers schedule time according to their availability. Visit Volunteer | Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (nhnature.org) for more information and to access a Volunteer Application.

Volunteer aboard a pontoon boat on a beautiful lake in the spring and fall! Lake Education Assistants lead several lake-testing activities with small school groups. Two training opportunities are offered in 2024: April 25 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and May 13 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Most volunteer opportunities are scheduled in May and June with several offered in September and October. Each opportunity is about 2 hours per group. Volunteers match their availability with the opportunities. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, enjoy interacting with youth, and be able to oversee activities safely and on a timely basis. Volunteers must be able to lift 50 pounds. To learn more and access a Volunteer Application, please visit the Volunteer Page on the Science Center website: Volunteer | Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (nhnature.org)