Volunteers

Meet some of our wonderful volunteers and learn about volunteer opportunities at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

There is no "I" in Team but there is a "u" in volunteer!

The Cradle of Aviation is looking for men and women who wish to volunteer a few hours of their time each week. The atmosphere is interesting and exciting and you will meet and work with community spirited people who share a love of aviation, Long Island history and friendship. We provide annual training and welcome individuals who are comfortable and enthusiastic about working with people.

As a member of our Volunteer Team you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Free family admission to the museum
• Admission to special Planetarium showings
• Discounts at the Museum Store and the Red Planet Cafe
• Two catered lunches & other scheduled events

Our team of volunteers is the pride of the Cradle of Aviation and you can become a part of this exciting family. COME JOIN US, and share in the satisfaction!

Volunteering Opportunities

Docent/Museum Guide
Share information with visitors. You do not have to be knowledgeable about aviation to make an impact here. Our many docents are passionate, committed, and eager to assist newcomers.

Restoration
Our restoration members build aircraft parts and replica planes for exhibit. If you like to be creative and work with your hands, this might be the place for you. These volunteers are immensely proud of what they have built.

Education Department
Part-time volunteers provide the following programs to the public:

• School Groups – The museum presents a variety of programs about aviation, space exploration, and Long Island’s heritage of discovery to visiting school groups.
• Public Programs: We offer family activities on weekends and holidays, as well as camps during the summer and vacation breaks.
• Special Interests: The museum presents scout programs and special events for those seeking an in-depth look at a particular activity, exhibition, or collection.
• Outreach Programs: Museum representatives travel to schools, libraries, and community groups to present programs.

Qualifications: Good public speaking skills. Enthusiastic and energetic. Experience in teaching or interacting with the general public preferred.

Join our Student Volunteers!

Student Volunteer Program
The Student Volunteer Program provides students ages 16–19 a rewarding opportunity to engage visitors through STEM activities, customer service surveys, and interpretation of hands-on artifacts in the museum galleries.

Program Requirements
Students must be between 16 and 19 by the date of semester orientation. They must meet the minimum hourly requirement for the semester and successfully complete orientation with all required documentation submitted prior to the start of the semester.

Semesters
Fall: October–December, 12 hours per month
Spring: February–June, 12 hours per month
Summer: July–August, 8 hours per week

Educational Activities
Student volunteers provide the following activities to the public:

STEM Activities

• Paper Plane Aircraft Carrier Challenge – Design and build paper airplanes, then test them in the Aircraft Carrier Challenge to explore engineering and energy.
• Exploring Orbiting Objects – Experiment with weighted balls on a fabric gravity well to model gravitational attraction and explore how it keeps objects in orbit.

Hands-On History Stations

• World War II – Experience history firsthand with authentic artifacts from World War II, offering a unique connection to the past.
• The Jet Age—Explore and handle genuine artifacts from the Jet Age, which showcase the groundbreaking advancements in aviation history.
   

Visitor Experience
Student volunteers conduct customer service surveys to gather feedback on the general visitor experience and specific museum programming.

Please contact us via the form below.