Volunteers

“There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”  – James Doolittle

Our volunteers tell the story of Long Island’s contribution to aerospace, science, and technology. They provide a welcoming environment for our community, reveal the humanity behind the hardware of our collections, and work to preserve important historical aircraft.

You’ll join a community of spirited people, men and women, who share a love of aviation, Long Island history, and community. While we encourage former military and aerospace personnel to apply, you do not need previous experience to volunteer!

Available Volunteer Positions

Museum Docent
Work directly with Museum visitors, both general admission and school groups, to highlight Long Island’s aviation and aerospace history through our extensive aircraft and artifact collections. 

• Docents receive training materials and work with staff/volunteers to learn all information.
• This position requires a high level of customer service and public engagement.

• Minimum requirement: eight (8) hours per month.

  Restoration Volunteer
  Help maintain and restore the Museum's aircraft collection through hands-on restoration and preservation.

  We are currently seeking volunteers in two areas:
  Aircraft Restoration Volunteer
  Prior knowledge of metalworking, painting, sanding, or aircraft experience required. 

  Model Shop Volunteer
  Experience with scale-model construction, repair, painting, and detailing is required. 

• All restoration positions are only available during regular business hours. 
• Expect a recurring shift requirement. 
• Minimum requirement: eight (8) hours per month.

Benefits:
As a member of the Volunteer Corps, you stand at the forefront of the Cradle of Aviation Museum's mission: honoring our past and inspiring our future. That's why we're proud to offer a wide range of benefits, including:

• Free admission for five (5) guests.
• Discounts at the Museum Store and the Red Planet Café. 
• Admission to special Planetarium showings. 
• Access to the Volunteer Corps Library and Professional Development Lecture Series.

Student Volunteer Program
Support the Museum’s mission to promote Long Island’s contributions to aerospace, science, and technology while gaining hands-on job experience and earning community service hours.

• We are looking for motivated students, ages 16 to 19, who want to build their public speaking skills, work with children, and gain experience in a science and technology museum.
• Student Volunteers play a vital role at the Cradle of Aviation Museum by facilitating hands-on activities and providing a positive visitor experience.

STEAM Activities:

• Paper Planes – Have you ever made a paper plane? Congratulations! You constructed and flew an aircraft. Showcase the forces of flight and building blocks of the first airplane for our visitors with these simple flying machines.
• Airplane Derby – Long Island hosted hundreds of aerial races and competitions. Some on the same site as our museum! Recreate that excitement for visitors as you guide them through a series of challenges with their paper planes.
• Nose Art – Our collections illustrate the wonder of aviation nose art. Encourage visitors to let their creativity run wild by adding their paper planes to that proud tradition.
• Orbiting Objects – "Zero gravity" in space is a myth. Gravity exists everywhere in the universe. Guide our visitors through a series of challenges that explode this misconception, potentially into a black hole!

Discovery Carts:
Led by our Student Volunteers, Discovery Carts complement the Museum's formal exhibits by giving visitors a more personalized, hands-on experience with objects from our educational collection.

Visitors are encouraged to touch, smell, hold, and examine historical objects while learning more about the surrounding exhibits. Discovery Carts are available for the World War II, Jet Age, and Exploring Space galleries.

Program Requirements:

• Must be between 16 and 19 years of age at the start of the semester. 
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of staff and visitors.
• Successfully complete orientation and submit all required documentation before the semester begins. 
• Meet the minimum hourly requirement for the semester:

Student Volunteer Programs are available during the following times of year:
Fall: October-December, 12 hrs per month
Spring: February-June, 12 hrs per month
Summer: July-August, 8 hrs per week

These are unpaid positions. Students earn community service hours and gain hands-on job experience.