Suzi,
we have a teen docent program that accepts applicants that are at least 13
years old.  Currently we have 60 teen volunteers that learn several of the
exhibit halls.  They then spend time, on the weekends, & weekdays during the
summer, interacting with our casual museum visitors using a variety of
hands-on objects that relate to the space they are in.  It has been an
incredibly successful program for us.  For the teens that want to learn &
share their knowledge, we find 13 years is not too young.

Cathy Andreychek
Program Specialist
Division of Education
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Pittsburgh, PA

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan A. Dorko [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2000 3:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Volunteer programs for kids


Hi all--

At my museum, we have recently been inundated with requests from 6th and 7th
graders who participated in our summer camp program and now want to
volunteer at the museum.  Although we definitely feel that they would be too
young to work as interpreters or hosts, we would like to start some sort of
monthly program where they could help us out with some simple tasks.  We
don't have a lot of time and resources to devote to this, but we would like
to get these kids involved with the museum.

Do any of you have experience with such a program, or do you know of any
museums who have worked successfully with this age group as volunteers?

Any and all advice would be appreciated.

Suzi
-----------
Suzi Dorko
Director of Education
Noah Webster House
227 South Main Street
West Hartford, CT 06107-3430
860.521.5362 x13
fax: 860. 521.4036
email: [log in to unmask]
       [log in to unmask]

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