Check out our Riverfront Museum volunteer opportunities below! If you believe your personality and skills will benefit the visitor experience of the Museum please fill out the Volunteer Application and submit it to the Volunteer Coordinator via mail (222 SW Washington Street, Peoria, IL 61602) or email. Thank you!
The Peoria Riverfront Museum is now accepting applications for student volunteers for our 2018 Summer Camp! This is a great opportunity for students to learn leadership skills and gain valuable volunteer hours while working in an energetic and engaging environment at the Museum. Students will assist summer camp teachers, lead groups of students from class to class, and help Museum staff with other duties as assigned. This summer there are 8 weeks of summer camp for them to choose from and half day to full day volunteering opportunities every week! Volunteer applications are due by May 25, 2018 and a mandatory orientation will be held on June 1.
For more info or questions, contact Heather by phone at 309.863.3046 or by email at hplacko@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.
To download the application - click here.
Volunteer Training
Stream Table Presenter Training – Saturdays - Email to Schedule
By appointment at 11 am or 3 pm
IL River Science Lab
Lead staff member: Dave G.
Stool available if needed
The stream table shows, in miniature, how streams flow through a watershed and how they behave when the water level changes.
This training will focus on using the stream table and how to demonstrate various activities on the stream table to the public.
Volunteer Training
Bicentennial Discovery Cart Training - Tuesdays-Saturdays - Email to Schedule
By appointment at Noon-1 pm or 2-3 pm
Museum Lobby
Lead Staff Member: Dave G.
Stool available if needed
Share the information from the Bicentennial Education Cart to the public including describing the Native American and Pioneer items, direct coloring, symbol matching, and Morse Code activities.
Education Program
Relax Under the Stars - Wednesday, May 2
Event: Noon-1 pm
Volunteer shift: 11:45-1:15 pm
Volunteers Needed: 1
Lead Staff: Renae K.
Standing/Walking
Stressed at work? Need a break from your hectic day? Come to Dome Planetarium and calm down. Enjoy a short star talk, then let your tension float away under starry skies with soothing background music. First Wednesday of every month at noon. Free parking in the museum's parking garage, just bring in your ticket to be validated at the Front Desk. If you arrive past Noon, it will be dark in the Dome. Please pause for a few moments to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. Someone will help you find your seats. Food and drink welcome in the Dome.
Volunteers count the number of people attending and help guests arriving after Noon find a seat.
Special Event
Learn It, Try It! - Sunday, May 6
Event: 1-4 pm
Volunteer Shifts: 1-2 pm & 2-4 pm
Volunteers Needed: 6
Lead Staff: Renae K.
Sitting
Come learn about labors and unions then try it out yourself with hands on activities from the professionals. From bricklaying to bending sheet metal, masonry, carpentry, and much more!
Volunteers will greet visitors and inform them about the event and give directions as needed to the different activities.
Education Program
Senior Morning | Americas Musical Journey - Wednesday, May 9
Event: 10-11:30 am
Volunteer Shift: 9:30 am-Noon
Volunteers Needed: 1-2
Lead Staff: Shelby L.
Seated/Standing
Free for seniors - these educational events take place every other month on Wednesday morning and cover topics from Museum exhibits to educational movies. This month we'll watch the new education film "America's Musical Journey". Enjoy a showing of the film and after the presentation, you will be able to explore the museum Free parking in the covered park deck off of Water Street.
10:00 am Coffee and danish, muffins, and other light breakfast treats
10:30 am Program in the Giant Screen Theater.
11:15 am Gallery Visit
Volunteers will help greet guests, pass out 3D glasses, give everyone that come in a sticker and a flyer with future events listed on it.
Education Program
Sculpture Walk 2018 Kick-Off - Saturday, May 19
Event: 10 am-1 pm
Volunteer Shift: 9:45 am-1:15 pm
Volunteers Needed: 2-3
Lead Staff: Heather P.
Seated
Leading a make and take art craft on the sun plaza!
Educational Programming
Super Saturday: Scattering Germs - Saturday, May 19
Volunteer Shift: 1:15-2:45 pm
Event: 1:30-2:30 pm
Volunteers Needed: 1-2
Super Saturday is a general science, family-friendly program. The topic for Super Saturday is Scattering Germs. It is free with general admission and last from 1:30-2:30 pm. The volunteer is responsible for arriving 15 minutes early to set up, run the program, and 15 minutes after the program to clean up. The program takes place in the Main Lobby of the museum. A museum staff member will provide the volunteer with the information and materials for the activity prior to the event.
Special Event
Illinois in the Civil War Lecture by Bernie Drake - Saturday, May 19
Volunteer Shift: 1:30-3:15 pm
Event: 2-3 pm
Volunteers Needed: 1
Seated/Standing
From Camp Lyon and Camp Peoria to the generals buried in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria and Illinois played a significant role in the Civil War. Remember and celebrate the sacrifices of these Peorians and Illinoisans in this bicentennial year.
Volunteers will greet guests, pass out materials, and assist as needed.
Educational Programming
Art-spiration: Cherry Blossoms - Saturday, May 26
Volunteer Shift: 1:15-2:45 pm
Event: 1:30-2:30 pm
Volunteers Needed: 1-2
This one hour (1:30-2:30 pm) educational art-based program is free with general admission. Visitors are invited to participate with activity in the main lobby of the museum. The topic for Art-spiration is Cherry Blossoms. The volunteer is responsible for arriving 15 minutes early to set up, run the program, and 15 minutes after the program to clean up. A museum staff member will provide the volunteer with the information and materials for the activity.
The role of the Museum Membership Ambassadors is to help promote and support PRM membership. Must be a current member of the Museum, an active member of our Museum community, and willing to volunteer time and talent to promote the mission, vision and values of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Volunteers in this position must posses a desire to promote Museum membership to fellow members, visitors, and the public. Duties include welcoming and greeting Museum patrons at a variety of functions including but not limited to: GST member previews, movie screenings, exhibit opening weekends, busy museum days (school holidays), and other special events. Volunteers will promote Museum membership at said events and functions and remain generally knowledgeable about Museum programs. Office duties may include calling new members for surveys, thanking them for membership, etc. Volunteers will also represent the Museum at events in the community where there is value in sharing information about the Museum and membership.
Please contact Membership Coordinator, Shelly Kerker at skerker@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org or 309.863.3042 for more information.
Museum Store Volunteers provide many essential services to Museum visitors and patrons. Store volunteers work side-by-side with staff to help create an excellent customer experience by greeting and assisting guests who visit the Museum Store. Volunteers learn to work with the computerized cash register as well as help maintain a neat and tidy appearance in the Museum Store. You must be 18 years of age to serve as a Museum Store Volunteer. Please contact Rachael McArdle for more information.
Museum Gallery Host Volunteers provide many essential services to Museum visitors and patrons. Gallery Host volunteers help create an excellent customer experience by being cheerful and attentive to our guests; doing your best to answer questions while upholding the museum’s expectations for visitor behavior in the galleries and special exhibitions. Please contact Heather Placko, Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Museum Docent Volunteers are responsible for presenting additional exhibit information to visitors of varying ages and interest levels of the Museum. Docents are important aspects of our exhibitions because often time visitors seek more information than what can be provided within the labels of the exhibition. Please contact Heather Placko, Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Education Garden Volunteers will assist the program department staff with the maintenance and upkeep of the garden. Education Garden volunteers will work independently in the garden with guidelines for what is needed seasonally. Volunteers will assist with the planting of native species for educational classes, weeding, winterizing, and other tasks as assigned. Must have gardening experience and be able to bend down and kneel. Must be 18 years of age to serve as an Education Garden Volunteer. Please contact Heather Placko, Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Throughout the year, the Museum hosts many school aged children on various field trips. As a school group greeter volunteer you would help welcome, lead, and monitor the school group throughout their visit to the Museum from start to finish, taking them from activity to activity. Must be comfortable walking, talking in front of groups, and being flexible with shifting schedules. Please contact Heather Placko, Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
VOLUNTEER CONTACT INFO:
If you are interested in any of the above mentioned volunteer opportunities, please fill out our standard volunteer application and contact our Volunteer Coordinator. Please write the volunteer opportunity in which you are interested in the subject line of your email. Thank you!
