Ocean Institute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, Ca 92629, Usa
Phone (949) 496 - 2274
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Volunteer Page
| Our mission | Using the ocean as our classroom, we inspire children to learn. |
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| Needs |
Information BoothInformation Booth volunteers assist in greeting students and their teachers as buses arrive. Volunteers direct and manage flow of multiple groups to ensure a timely and safe welcome. Information Booth volunteers serve as Ocean Institute ambassadors by providing information and directions about programs and facilities available, as well as information about the Dana Point harbor. Volunteers must be age 18 and older.Public Program DocentsPublic Program docents are the heart and soul of our visitor experience. Public program volunteers serve as docents, guides, and exhibit facilitators throughout our facility 7 days a week. These volunteers help inspire visitors about the ocean and maritime history through memorable and hands-on experiences! Volunteers must be age 14 and older.Husbandry VolunteerHusbandry volunteers work with staff to maintain the animal facilities, gardens and aquariums. Volunteers must be age 16 and older.*waitlist only; must be an active volunteer at the Ocean Institute to be added to the waitlist.Tall Ships MaintenanceAdd your own skills to the maintenance of the tall ships Spirit of Dana Point, an active historical sailing vessel, and Pilgrim, the historic reproduction of the ship that Richard Henry Dana sailed in the 1700’s. These wooden ships will allow you to demonstrate your wood working, painting, plumbing, electrical and other skills as you maintain the vessels for the educational programs conducted on board.Special Events VolunteerAre you interested in learning more about event planning at nonprofits? The events team is looking for volunteers to assist with booked events such as weddings, parties, and corporate events. You will be helping with the logistics and organization of the event including set up preparations and support during the event.Pilgrim DocentsDocents are those rare and special individuals who honor the history and romance of the tallship era. They dress in period attire, demonstrate crafts and skills of tallship sailors, lead tours of the Pilgrim, and occasionally sing chanteys and weave tall tales. Volunteers must be age 16 and older.Tallship VolunteersTallship volunteers maintain and repair the ships. From woodworking and sail mending to rigging and sailing skills, these volunteers work to ensure the continuation of maritime heritage. Volunteers may have the opportunity to participate in a variety of both educational and public sailing programs primarily aboard the Spirit of Dana Point. Sailing opportunities are limited and the majority of needed work is dockside maintenance. The few sailing opportunities available are primarily during tall ship festivals and good-will sails. Volunteers must be age 16 and older.Research Vessel Sea ExplorerThe Ocean Institute’s research vessel is used for school and public programs to conduct research and provide educational whale watching cruises. Volunteers assist staff with program logistics such as managing passengers during boarding/disembarking, collecting required forms, preparing the vessel for programs, and serving as program facilitators. Volunteers must be age 16 and older.*Waitlist only; must be an active volunteer at the Ocean Institute to be added to the waitlist.Chambers Gallery Book & Gift StoreVolunteers assist with the usual functions of a retail operation including visual merchandising, ticketing, stocking, assisting customers and finalizing sales at the register. Volunteers must be age 15 and older.Tidepool Interpretive Program (TIP)The Tidepool Interpretive Program’s (TIP) objective is to educate tidepool visitors about the wonderful natural resources present along our coastline in a way that promotes environmental stewardship. This program occurs outdoors, with its home base behind the Ocean Institute at the entryway to the beautiful Marine Conservation Area. This program runs on weekdays and weekends and varies with season and tides. Volunteers must be age 14 and older.*Waitlist only; must be an active volunteer at the Ocean Institute to be added to the waitlist.Education VolunteerWork alongside staff instructors in various programs with students from pre-K to 3rd grade. Fingerprinting is required for this position. Volunteers must be age 21 and older. |
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| About us | The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977 as the Orange County Marine Institute, is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization that educates 250,000 visitors annually through over 60 marine science and maritime history programs. The facility is an ocean education center that offers in-depth Marine Science, Maritime History and Outdoor Education programs. All programs are designed to maximize immersion, spark curiosity, and inspire a deep commitment to learning. |
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| What people say |
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