Our Junior Volunteers work in four areas of the Museum: our Boathouse, Our Education department in our Summer Day Camp program, our Interpretation Department, and our Visitor Services Department (See more detailed description of each department below)

• Engage with and help our visitors by welcoming them, answering questions, and assisting our staff with hands-on activities
• Have the opportunity to schedule shifts between 9:30am and 5:30pm, seven days per week from June through August
• Have the option of signing themselves in and out (with parental consent)
• Receive a discount at our food outlets and museum store

• Applicants need to be at least 13 years old by June 1 and have transportation to and from the Museum.

• Applicants must commit to attending a short virtual orientation and an in-person team orientation.

• Applicants must commit to working at least 14 shifts between June and August (unless previously discussed with team supervisor).

Applications are accepted March 1 through May 15. There are a limited number of spots, and they fill quickly, so we recommend that interested students fill out an application early.

To make the application process as transparent as possible, here is an approximate timeline of the steps between submitting your application and receiving an offer to join our team:

Step one: Submit your application. Applications will be available on March 1. Once our office receives your application, you can expect to hear from us within one week to set up a short interview.

Step two: A short phone or virtual interview that will last approximately 15 minutes. We will ask you questions about why you are interested in volunteering at the Museum and answer any questions you or your adults have.

Step three: You can expect to receive notification from our office within one week of your interview letting you know whether or not you’ve been accepted to join the JV Team and what team you will be on.

Step four: Attend a virtual orientation. This is mandatory for all JVs and at least one of their adults. During the virtual discussion, we will introduce all JV team supervisors, go over the rules for volunteering, and share important information for all JVs and parents to know. We will also announce the team orientation dates for volunteers to attend in person.

Step five: Attend in-person team orientation. At this in-person orientation, you will receive your volunteer T-shirt and name badge, tour the space you will be volunteering in, meet the other JVs on your team, and have an opportunity to ask more questions. Orientation dates will vary based on the department. You will receive more information as summer gets closer.

Good luck in the application process!

Most of our Junior Volunteers are at that tricky age—too old to be interested in attending summer camps, but not old enough to work. The Museum’s JV program is a great way to keep your teens busy over the summer (for free!) and an excellent way for them to learn responsibility and practical life skills in a safe environment. 

We work with teens of all backgrounds and personality types but, due to the outward-facing nature of our JV positions, the majority of them include lots of interaction with the public. This is a great opportunity to learn important life skills under the guidance of our staff! Candidates should be comfortable taking the initiative to engage our visitors, finding answers to questions they don’t know, and spending their day outside. The application process is set up as an opportunity for teens to gain real-world experience, so we are looking for individuals who are consistent and timely in their communication.

Here is the logistical information:

• A mandatory virtual orientation will be held in late May. You and your JV(s) should plan to attend. This will last about 45 minutes and will include time for Q&A. We want to make sure you feel comfortable releasing your teens to us for a summer full of fun and personal growth.

• Drop-off and pick-up: To remove the necessity of parking and escorting your JV into their department, parents and guardians may allow JVs to sign themselves in and out each day. One consent form covers the entire summer season. If you are more comfortable bringing them on campus you may feel free to do so; we having parking lots at both the north and south end of our campus.

• JVs are not required to work all eleven weeks of the summer. However, we ask all JVs to commit to at least 14 shifts between June and August, and preferred candidates are those who are available for at least two days per week. Daily working hours and season dates vary by department; you can find more information in the JV Department Opportunities section below:

  • Boathouse

  • Education Department (Children’s Summer Camps)

  • Interpretation Department

  • Visitor Services Department

• Dress code: All JVs are required to wear T-shirts and name badges (provided by the Museum). Khaki pants/shorts are preferred, but any bottoms without holes, stains, or logos are acceptable.

• Does your JV have younger siblings you’re looking to keep busy and stimulated? You can find information on our summer day camps for kids aged 4 to 16 here.

Thank you for considering Mystic Seaport Museum as a destination for your teens this summer. Many of our JVs return year after year, and it is our privilege to see them grow and bloom. We find that for many of them, the leadership and confidence-building opportunities we offer are what bring them to the Museum initially, but the relationships they build while they’re here are what make them want to come back. Please contact our Volunteer Services office with any questions via e-mail at mary.koehler@mysticseaport.org.  We look forward to working with you and your teen!