Roundhouse Aquarium








Volunteer At the Roundhouse

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Do you love the ocean? Do you want to spread environmental awareness and hang out at the end of the Pier? Do you need community service hours?

Volunteer at the Roundhouse!

Are you enrolled in college and looking for an internship?

Click here for more information and to apply for an educational/ aquarist internship.

 
 

 

Afternoon and Weekend Volunteers:

To become a year-round volunteer fill out a volunteer application! Pick up an application at the Roundhouse or fill out an online application here. Please mail, fax, or hand-deliver the completed application to the aquarium. Once we have your application, we will contact you to attend two upcoming volunteer training sessions if your qualifications and availability match our openings.

Requirements to Volunteer for the year-round program:

  • You must be 14 years of age.
  • Complete a volunteer application and turn it into the Volunteer Coordinator.
  • Attend two volunteer trainings.
  • Available to work at least 2 hours a week for a commitment of 3 months.

Volunteer Trainings:

Trainings are four hours long, spread out between two days, and are usually held once a month on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:00pm-5:30pm. During the trainings you will learn the rules and regulations of volunteering as well as become acquainted with the the animals in the aquarium and learn about the diverse programs at our facility. Once you have completed the trainings, you can sign up for a time and day to begin volunteering. Our volunteer hours correspond with our open hours. You can volunteer anytime between 3-sunset on M-F or 10am-sunset on weekends, depending on availability.

Benefits of Volunteering

  • Gain knowledge about the ocean and its inhabitants.
  • Learn the proper care and maintenance of caring for aquariums and marine animals.
  • Meet new people by interacting with visitors.
  • Promote oceanic awareness through your knowledge and expertise of the ocean.
  • Receive information regarding marine related scholarships and opportunities.

What do volunteers do?

Volunteers have the opportunity to rotate through numerous activities to receive the broadest and most interesting experience possible. These activities include:

Ask and Answer Questions. Volunteers primarily facilitate discussions about our marine life in the aquarium and in Santa Monica Bay as well as answer any questions that the public may have.

Educate Children and the Public. Volunteers teach a "feature creature". This consists of choosing an animal or tank to focus on and educating the public in greater detail about this animal or group of animals using books, props and even the animal itself.

Maintenance. Volunteers assist with general cleaning tasks around the Roundhouse. This may include assisting in aquarist work, which may consist of cleaning tanks, water testing, and aiding in large feeds for all of our animals.

Special Assignments. Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in our weekend events such as Sea Story Time or other special events including: Summer Science Sea Camp, Roundhouse Holiday Craft Weekends, Earth Day, Coastal Cleanup Day, Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, the Water Harvest Festival, and more.

Weekend Volunteers have the opportunity to do other special activities. Sunday volunteers can assist with Sea Story Time every Sunday at 11:30 am. During Sea Story time a volunteer reads a story (or puts on a puppet show) to children that relates to marine life. This is usually followed by conducting a craft. Sundays are also food prep days. If volunteers take the initiative to learn, they can assist in preparing the food for the fish in the aquarium. Saturdays are feeding days. If a volunteer would like to assist in feeding the animals, he/she can learn that skill.



Summer Camp Volunteers:

We are currently accepting volunteers to assist with our summer camp programs.  Volunteers must be 14 years or older and must commit to at least 3 weeks of camp.  Please click here to see the camp schedule.  If you are interested in applying, please fill out the application by clicking here.  You will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator for further information and the dates of the training.