Back to school means time to recruit new volunteers at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands. An information meeting for prospective youth and adult volunteers will take place on Saturday Sept 14, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Youth ages 14-17 are encouraged to bring a parent or other adult to the information session. Mandatory training workshops are scheduled for September 18, 19, 20, and 25 for those available weekdays; and September 28 and October 5 for those available on weekends.
“We rely on our volunteers to make our programs successful,” said Jolene Redvale, curator of education. “Our visitors enjoy a more fulfilling experience because our volunteers are committed to facilitating high quality interactions. We can’t do our wide range of educational programs without them.”
Volunteers in the Education Division engage visitors with real artifacts and specimens, leading conversations in the galleries and facilitating activities for families. They adhere to museum policies including a standard dress code.
“Many of our volunteers are retired, though many are in the working world, wanting to give a few hours a month to their community in a fun and enriching environment,” said Redvale. “We need volunteers who can commit to one half-day each week for school programs, or 6 to 8 hours a month for weekend programs for the public.” No short-term volunteers are needed at this time, such as those wishing to complete a 20 or 40 hour community service requirement.
“Our youth volunteer program offers opportunities to develop interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, techniques for problem solving, and project management basics,” Redvale said. “Plus, spending a year or more volunteering at the County Museum looks great on college and job applications.” Redvale encourages youth 14 to 17 to apply. The program also provides opportunities for youth to develop their knowledge on subjects related to cultural and natural history while making friends and building relationships with adult mentors and members of the visiting public.
Redvale is looking for people who enjoy talking, feel comfortable sharing the museum and its collections with visitors, can accommodate a regular schedule of two to four days a month, and will commit to a one year time horizon. In addition, individuals with some animal care experience or career goals in biology, zoology or animal sciences are encouraged to consider applying to volunteer one day a week with the museum’s live animal collection.
The optional information session on September 14 is open to all without reservations. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer may apply through the County Museum’s website, www.sbcountymuseum.org and click on Volunteers. The deadline to apply this fall is September 16.
For questions and more information, contact Jolene Redvale at jredvale@sbcm.sbcounty.gov or 909-798-8610.
The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5pm. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sb countymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669.