Explore the Volunteer Program
at Harvard Museum of Natural History

The museum welcomes enthusiastic naturalists with various language backgrounds, interests, and levels of education to apply as volunteers. The minimum age for acceptance into the volunteer program is sixteen.

Roles for Volunteers

The majority of volunteers serve as Gallery Guides who engage visitors by interpreting the exhibits through hands-on activities, Nature Storytime readings, and other public programs.

Volunteers do not work behind-the-scenes with the scientific departments and curatorial staff. 

Internship Opportunities

There are limited opportunities for nonpaid internships in museum departments including public relations and communications, and education. Please follow the application process below.
 

New Gallery Guide Volunteer Training

Volunteers receive extensive training and support. Training courses include museum interpretive  skills and  scientific content pertaining to a specific museum gallery and are offered several times a year. Attendance at all sessions is required to become an HMNH Gallery Guide.

The four-day summer Gallery Guide training course will take place on June 25 through June 28 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. This training will prepare guides to interpret a few of the most popular specimens in the museum.

If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities at the museum, you may attend an information session on Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm.  

Time Commitment

Gallery Guide volunteers are asked to commit to a weekly four-hour shift on weekdays or weekends from 9:15 am to 1:15 pm or 12:45 to 4:45 pm.

Application Process

If you would like to learn more about volunteer and internship opportunities at the museum, complete the application and email or fax it to Carol Carlson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 617.384.7180.