Volunteer

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

Volunteers at Marine Discovery Center are the heart and soul of everything we do! Your passion and unstoppable energy keep our mission alive, making every day brighter and more inspiring. Ready to jump into this fun and friendly team? Explore the Volunteer Opportunities below and scroll down to learn how to become a volunteer with us!

Welcome Center

Love meeting people? Greet visitors, answer phones, book tours, help in the gift shop, and share your enthusiasm. Basic computer skills needed, and we’ll handle the training! Commitment: 4-hour shifts, once a week | Availability: Year-round (we need you now!) | Age: 16+.

Education

Join us in delivering fun, hands-on, feet-wet programs like field trips, homeschool days, and toddler adventures in our lab, classroom, dock, boat, or kayak. Availability: Mostly fall, winter, spring (limited in summer) | Age: 14+/16+ (varies by activity) and older.

School Holiday & Summer Camps

Help with our awesome Summer Adventure Camps (June–August) and school holiday camps year-round. Availability: Year-round | Age: 14+ or 16+ or older | Requirements: Under 18? Submit two recommendation letters. Over 18? Background check required.

Shoreline Restoration

Help with oyster shell recycling, mangrove planting, and more. Work happens year-round at MDC and beyond. Availability: Year-round | Age: 16+/18+ or older (varies by task).

Citizen Science

Be a part of research and data collection for the Indian River Lagoon! Help with animal and plant surveys, monitoring, and more. Projects vary by season. Availability: Year-round | Age: 14+

SWAT Team

Get your hands dirty and help keep us beautiful! Join our Site Work Action Team to tackle landscaping, mulching, and general maintenance tasks. Availability: Year-round | Age: 14+

General Maintenance

Have handy skills? Help us with carpentry, painting, or light construction projects to keep MDC running smoothly. Availability: Year-round (as needed) | Age: 14+

Exhibit Ambassador / Docent

Love our marine life? Become a docent and share info about our tanks and exhibits or help with cleaning and feeding. Training provided! Availability: Ongoing | Age: 14+

Events

Busy during the week? Help with events on weekends and evenings. Tasks range from setup to outreach. Availability: Mostly fall, winter, and spring | Age: 14+

Marketing

Have a flexible schedule? We always need help! Availability: Always welcome | Age: High school grad or older

Kayak Tour Sweeps

Experienced kayaker? Assist tour guides in keeping groups together during daily morning tours. Availability: Limited | Age: 16+

Internships

Gain experience in education, restoration, exhibits, or events! Internship opportunities vary by season and MDC needs. Check our Jobs and Internships Page for details.

Group Volunteering

Corporate, school, or community group? Join us for projects like restoration, maintenance, or event support. Contact Wendy at [email protected] to learn more!

In order to become a Marine Discovery Center volunteer, the following items need to be completed:

Attend one of the New Volunteer Introduction and Orientation sessions typically held on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 3:30-4:45 p.m. (dates subject to change – please call us to confirm or visit our online calendar). Preregistration is requested; register online or call 386.428.4828. You may attend this orientation even if you are just considering volunteering but aren’t sure yet.
Complete an MDC Volunteer Application.
Read and sign our Policy against Child abuse and Workplace Sexual Harassment (the page to sign and submit is in the application packet).
Age 18 and over (anything other than camp): You will need to submit to a required basic background screening which is $17.50. The form for this screening can be downloaded below. Volunteers will be rescreened every 5 years.
Under 18: Submit two letters of recommendation by a teacher, coach or organizational leader; these letters must be on organization letter head or, if via email, must have the organization’s information near the signature line. Once you turn 18, you will need to complete a background screening and will be rescreened every 5 years.
Volunteering for Camps: If you would like to volunteer for any of our camps and you are age 18 or over, you will need to submit to a Level II screening. This does have a higher cost than our basic screening (approx. $75) but is required for volunteering with all school year and summer camps. You can choose this option in lieu of our basic screening and this will allow you to volunteer for anything at MDC. The form for this screening can be downloaded below. Volunteers will need to be rescreened every 5 years.
Submit all documents to our Volunteer Coordinator. This is most often done at orientation but can also be done afterwards or ahead of time in person, by mail, or by email at [email protected]. Payment for the basic background check is done via our Welcome Center desk in person or over the phone; basic screenings will be processed once both payment and signed form is received. Payment for the Level II screening is not to MDC and comes a little later in the process.
Any questions? Contact [email protected]