The Maritime Center is possible because of the amazing volunteers that donate their valuable time and talents. We encourage you to become part of this dynamic team!
Volunteer at The Maritime Center to Make a Difference
Volunteers, the heart and soul of the Port Royal Sound Foundation, provide more than 500 hours a month in services. They welcome visitors, explain our exhibits and touch tanks, lead tours and presentations, facilitate field trips, answer phones, manage our databases, maintain our gardens, and much, much more!
Volunteers must be at least 18 and are asked to work two shifts a month (about four to eight hours a month, depending on their role).
How to Apply
- Complete a volunteer interest form.
- Once your application has been submitted, someone from the Foundation office will contact you to set up an orientation session.
- Come to your orientation session and join the team!
If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Kochman at jkochman@portroyalsoundfoundation.org or 843-645-7774.
Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities
Host
Welcomes visitors to the Maritime Center and briefly explains mission and purpose; asks visitors to log in, and answers questions; operates point-of-sale for small gift shop; thanks visitors for coming as they depart.
Depending on shift, opening or closing functions.
Hours: Morning shift is 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Afternoon shift is 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Docent
Educator in the Maritime Center. Answers questions related to exhibits, Port Royal Sound’s unique qualities; displays live specimens from the aquariums and explains what the visitors are seeing; performs host duties when host is not available. For scheduled tours, leads groups.
Depending on shift, opening or closing functions.
Hours: Morning shift is 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Afternoon shift is 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Reception Host/Docent
Receptions are often held in the Maritime Center for outside groups that want to expose their members to the Foundation. The reception host/docent prepares for receptions (arranging refreshments, chairs); welcomes visitors; helps explain the purpose of the Maritime Center; answers questions; assists with straightening up after the function.
Hours: Usually late afternoon, early evening or weekends.
Field Trip Assistant
Students of all ages schedule field trips to the Maritime Center. Volunteers are trained to assist our naturalists and lead the discussion on specific topics.
Hours: Field trips are usually mornings and early afternoon; tours of the center could be anytime.
Speaker (Speakers Bureau)
Volunteer speakers deliver presentations prepared by naturalist/staff to groups either at the Maritime Center or in the community.
Hours: Varies, daytime or early evening; occasional weekends.
Tank Team
Tank Team Volunteers maintain the health of the Maritime Center’s aquariums and work on small projects in and around the center. Some activities occur during visiting hours, so Tank Team members need to be comfortable interacting positively with visitors.
Hours: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays
Office Support
Volunteers help answer phones, make copies and assist with mass mailings in the foundation office.
Hours: Variable, Monday through Friday during business hours or remote.
