Become a Volcano Volunteer!

Are you someone who loves learning about and being in the great outdoors?  Do you enjoy helping others better understand their surroundings?  Would you like to gain a more in depth knowledge of, and spend more time on, the fascinating and ever changing Mount St. Helens landscape?  Fulfill all of these desires by becoming a Volcano Volunteer with the Mount St. Helens Institute!

As a Volcano Volunteer, you will create a more enriching and rewarding experience for groups and the general public by providing environmental education and interpretation of the stories and science behind the 1980 eruption, ecological/biological recovery, current eruption, and other natural events.  Duties include: providing interpretive information (either through formal presentations, or by roving interest areas) to the public at Visitor Centers, Pine Creek/Ape Cave, and various South and East side volcanic feature locations, leading guided hikes, providing resource protection messages to the public, guiding school field trips and augmenting field trips by conducting classroom visits, and other activities. 

We are looking for individuals with good communication and public relations skills.  Volunteers should be able to communicate with and lead groups of varying ages, sizes, and levels of understanding.  A science background or some understanding of natural processes is helpful, but not necessary.  

Volcano Volunteer trainings are held in the spring and early summer.  To become a Volcano Volunteer, full attendance at one of these trainings is mandatory.  Learn along side Forest Service employees and professionals, and gain the knowledge and experience necessary to create a more enjoyable educational experience for the visitors you meet.  Volunteers can negotiate how many hours per month they would like to commit, but the MSHI requires a commitment of at least 2 months of service.  As MSHI receives Volcano Volunteer service requests year round, longer commitments extending past the heavy visitation (summer) season are needed and appreciated. Uniforms and training are provided to volunteers at no cost.

Learn even more about the Volcano Volunteers program

Interested?  Complete a Volcano Volunteer Online Volunteer Application

or

send us a completed

Volcano Volunteer PDF Volunteer application!

So, if you enjoy science and helping people learn, love the outdoors, and have a passion for the volcano, then become a Volcano Volunteer with the Mount St. Helens Institute!

For more details about the program contact us at: info@mshinstitute.org or 360-449-7887.