Volunteers at MPM work with the general public to provide hospitality and enhance visitor experiences. Volunteer opportunities are seven days a week; few are short term,* most are long term. Volunteers choose an area, fill out the documents at the bottom of this page and return them to the Volunteer Coordinator. You will then be contacted for an orientation/interview and go through training for your position. Once trained, volunteers are expected to work a four-hour shift 1-2 times a month or more: Monday-Friday 10:00-2:00, Saturdays 11:00-3:00, and Sundays 12:00-3:00 according to your availability. Volunteers have the opportunity to explore new areas of interest, attend volunteer functions, visit the museum before/after their shift, get reduced parking in MacArthur Square and discounts in the museum’s shop, café, and coffee kiosk. Volunteers who have specialized backgrounds or needs must contact the Volunteer Coordinator for placement options. Minimum age is 18.

Information Desk volunteers welcome visitors, handout maps & brochures, answer questions about museum activities, and help visitors find specific exhibit locations. Training is provided by established volunteers.

Bug Patrol volunteers bring out live bugs for visitors to hold—millipedes, cockroaches, or walking sticks . They explain the differences among arachnids, insects and crustaceans, why arthropods are the most plentiful creatures on earth, and what they can teach us about the environment. Background in science is not required, but an interest in working with children and an enthusiasm for science are essential. Museum technicians and established volunteers provide training. 

Reptile Handlersare needed to carry our green iguana into the Rainforest exhibit on Tuesday mornings, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Training is provided, but volunteers must be comfortable handling large reptiles.

Butterfly Corps volunteers educate visitors in the Puelicher Butterfly Wing. Volunteers with an interest in butterflies, flowers and gardens, who have the ability to engage children and adults in conversation, will find this area an exciting place to work. Training is provided by established volunteers. Updated information is continually provided by museum technicians. You need a comfort level in working in a tropical environment, taking frequent breaks.

Stop Spot volunteers have the opportunity to take out a cart and demonstrate models, artifacts, and pictures with the general public. Training is provided by established volunteers on 4 topics: Chocolate, Shoes Around the World, Spiders, or Indian Tools.

Nickelodean volunteers educate visitors in the history of silent films and then run silent films in the Streets of Old Milwaukee. Training is provided by current volunteers. A basic knowledge of VHS and DVD equipment is helpful. Training is provided by established volunteers.

Botany Buddy volunteers are needed to work in teams on various projects M-F only. Tasks range from identifying plant specimens, inputting information into a computer database, meticulously gluing plants and labels onto sheets, and updating plant names on its specimens. In most cases you need not have botany background. You do need skills in organization, paying attention to detail, clean gluing techniques, and LOTS of patience.

Other. If you have skills to share that are not listed above, just email or call and discuss the possibility.

Special exhibit volunteers participate in training sessions for a traveling exhibit that will be stationed at the museum for a period of time. These volunteers assist visitors by responding to questions about the exhibit. Climate Change, Oct 3, 2007-January 1, 2008, will need volunteers to usher visitors into a show in half-hour increments.

BODY WORLDS, January 1 - June 1, 2008 needs medical professionals to staff an Ask-the-Expert desk inside the exhibit and non-medical volunteers to staff an information station outside the exhibit. Training and orientation for non-medical and medical professional volunteers will take place Feb 9, 1-4; Mar 8, 9-12; Apr 5, 1-4. RSVP to Volunteer Coordinator.

Teach 1st-3rd Programs. Conduct a 50-min tour with artifacts and activities for Grades 1-3.  Shadow current volunteers extensively to learn the specific exhibit information and learn the skills of working with school groups. A love of children a must! School programs run Sept – June.

*Some Date-Specific Event volunteers can be 16 or older. (Must be 18 to work solo.)These projects are usually one-time only, on weekends or evenings. These volunteers are trained on-the-job and work primarily with children assisting in crafts or activities. Perfect for a college service project, a parnt-child team, or a corporate team. Some events need 4-6 volunteers, others need 100s of volunteers. The events run throughout the year. Our big events are Halloween Hauntings (Oct 30-31, 2008) and Food ‘n’ Froth (Feb 9, 2008).

Docents are specialized volunteers who have completed a year-long educational training on the museum’s exhibit galleries and identifying artifacts. They conduct research and develop a tour in a specialized area. Classroom learning and exhibit instruction is weekly Sept-Dec, followed by a six-month mentorship with an experienced docent. Completion qualifies them to work as Exhibit Interpreters, conduct Exhibit Tours for Grades 4 through adults, and assist the museum’s mission. Continuing education is continual at monthly meetings.

Potential volunteers should download and return these forms
  • Volunteer Application (Word Document)
  • Background Check (Word Document)
  • Drug Free Form for Volunteers (Word Document)