Volunteering Opportunities
Current Volunteer Needs:
TWO VOLUNTEER DOCENT TEAMS
Longwood’s Visitor Programs Team is seeking Volunteers for two different Volunteer Docent Teams, the Conservatory Interpretive Docent Team and a brand venture for the outdoor gardens, the new Idea Garden Interpretive Docent Team.
Docents serve as ‘teachers’, using interpretation skills to interact with small groups of guests of all ages on an informal basis. Volunteers on any of Longwood’s Docent Teams gain a strong background knowledge of Longwood Gardens and possess good verbal skills in order to comfortably answer questions about particular areas at Longwood. Docent Volunteers attend training sessions to learn interpretation techniques, and about Longwood. They also work with staff to maximize any Longwood guests’ experience while that guest is visiting Longwood.
Idea Gardesn Interpretive Docents
Idea Garden Volunteer Docents will volunteer a minimum of 6 hours per month from May through September interacting with guests in and around the Idea Garden. You will attend training sessions to learn interpretation techniques, and the various sections of the Idea Garden (annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetable garden, etc.) and how this year’s theme of Fragrance will be integrated into the Idea Garden.
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity to interact with Guests in a unique outdoor setting, please contact Mary Jo Huelsman at mhuelsman@longwoodgardens.org, or at 610-388-5354.
Conservatory Interpretive Docents
Conservatory Docents will also volunteer a minimum of 6 hours per month interacting with guests year round in different areas of the Conservatory. You will attend regular in depth training sessions to learn interpretation skills, and meet with staff to learn about the Conservatory and special displays such as our fragrance exhibit.
If would like to find out more about this opportunity please contact Nancy Bowley at nbowley@longwoodgardens.org or at 610-388-5263.
Volunteer Language Translation Team
Longwood’s Taxonomist continues to work with a number of Volunteers to translate articles which have been written about the Victoria waterlily. The work is an on-going and time-consuming process, and it is proving valuable to have a number of Volunteers working on this project. We are currently seeking individuals to assist with the translation of the following languages: Swedish, Portuguese, and Romanian. If you would like to assist with this project, please send an email to:
Dave Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator, at: Dthompson@longwoodgardens.org
Indoor Children’s Garden Volunteer Team
Join our team of great Children’s Garden volunteers and offer kids fun & interesting activities in and around the Longwood’s amazing indoor Children’s Garden. Scavenger hunts, puppets, seasonal activities, and simple musical instruments are some of activities we share with our young guests. If you love children and their curiosity, this is the volunteer position for you! Volunteers will work in and near the Children’s Garden during a 2 hour shift. Volunteers are needed 7 days a week from 10am – 4 pm. There is regular training on the Children’s Garden and specific activities you will offer to children. Your time commitment is 4 hours minimum per month plus attendance at training sessions every 2 months. If you would like to assist with this project, please send an email to:
Dave Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator, at: Dthompson@longwoodgardens.org
Sign Language Volunteer Team
Longwood’s Education Department is seeking the assistance of Volunteers who are able to communicate with Longwood guests via the art and science of sign language. The Education staff is currently getting ready to host a field trip by a 4th grade class from a school in this area. Staff is hoping to find two Volunteers who would like to serve as interpreters for this school group. Going forward, the Education staff will be very much interested in your involvement in how to further develop this opportunity to additional schools and groups. This is a unique opportunity to assist Longwood in a very specific way and your efforts will be very much appreciated. If you would like to assist with this project, please send an email to:
Dave Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator, at: Dthompson@longwoodgardens.org
Japanese Language
Longwood's Volunteer Coordinator is looking for an individual interested in working with a college age Volunteer who is currently assisting our Guest Information Volunteer team. This young Volunteer is seeking interaction with individuals fluent in the Japanese language to develop a gardening and plant vocabulary. Longwood's Group Visits staff is also interested in working with Japanese speaking individuals to develop a Volunteer team to meet and assist Japanese tour groups during their visits to Longwood. This is hopefully the beginning of a foreign language Volunteer team which we would like to have on hand to interact with visitors from many different countries. If you would like to assist with this project, please send an email to:
Dave Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator, at: Dthompson@longwoodgardens.org
HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT – OUTDOOR GARDENS
The gardening staff in the outdoor gardens is seeking assistance for this growing season in three different outdoor areas. This work will begin around April 1st and depending on the weather will go through the end of November. Gardeners are looking for a regular commitment, the best case being some time each week on weekday mornings. A regular commitment is the best situation to get you involved with the ongoing projects in the section, allowing you to become a part of the group. The work in the three sections differs somewhat, but all areas include general gardening tasks associated with outdoor areas.
Italian Water Garden
The Peirce's Woods gardening staff is seeking Volunteers to assist with the maintenance of the Italian Water Garden. In this area, you will be assisting staff with planting, pruning, mulching, watering, and deadheading plants. As in other areas of the Gardens, the goal would be to eventually have a team of Volunteers who work together to put the extra touches on the area so it looks its best throughout the season. This would be an excellent opportunity for a couple or for two or three friends who wish to ride back and forth and to work together. The best scenario is if you are available weekday mornings.
Rose Garden, Eye of Water, Oak & Conifer Knoll
The Gardener in charge of taking care of roses at Longwood is looking to increase the number of Volunteers on his Rose Garden Team to assist with the care and culture of roses, primarily in Longwood’s Formal Rose Garden, which often serves as many guest’s first look at the outdoor flower gardens. In this area, you will be assisting with planting, watering, fertilizing, and deadheading roses, as well as care for plants in the Eye of Water and Oak & Confer Knoll areas of the outdoor gardens. At this time, the Gardener is seeking 2-3 volunteers to work with the volunteers already in this area, and would like to pair volunteers to work together on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. If you are interested in a high profile outdoor area, this is it. A regular early morning commitment of a couple of hours would be of great assistance in this area.
Main Fountain Garden, New East Conservatory Plaza
The gardener in charge of the maintenance of the landscape and plants in the Main Fountain Garden and the new East Conservatory Plaza is currently looking for assistance. This will be work that is outside during the summer season, generally from around April 1 through November. In this section you will be assisting the gardening staff with weeding, mulching, planting, watering, and other general gardening tasks. You will be working with staff, students, and other Volunteers in both large and small groups. You may also be working independently at times to complete specific tasks. Since Longwood will be installing the landscape in the new East Conservatory Plaza in late spring and early summer, you will be working to help plant, establish, and maintain this brand new outdoor display. The staff and volunteers in this section will also occasionally assist with other projects in the Peirce’s Woods and Flower Garden sections.
PLEASE NOTE
Many areas are limited to a maximum number of Volunteers and they may not be currently in need of new Volunteers. At this time, we have many Volunteer Applications on file which we are reviewing for placement. If you care to send an application, it will be kept on file for future reference.
Position Descriptions (Many May Not Be Currently Available):
