MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
Brookside Gardens Volunteer Opportunities
Spring-Summer 2016
Volunteer at Brookside Gardens to make a difference, to broaden your skills, or just for fun. Student Service
Learning opportunities are indicated by “SSL opportunity!” Family opportunities are for volunteers age 11-13
accompanied by a parent or guardian, indicated by “Family Volunteering!” Other volunteer opportunities are
for individuals age 16 and up, or as indicated. Apply for any of these Brookside Gardens volunteer
opportunities at http://www.parksvolunteers.org.
Children’s Classroom Program Assistants (age 18 and up) Volunteers enrich the learning experience of
children in school groups attending our interpretive garden programs. Volunteers help with set-up and
clean-up, a hands-on potting plant activity, and outdoor lesson guidance. Shifts are available April,
May, and June, Tuesdays through Fridays, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Storytime Volunteers (age 18 and up) Volunteers read storybooks to children age 3-6 on Saturday mornings
from March through early June. Volunteers help with set-up and clean-up as well, and may also lead a
song or puppet show to accompany the story.
Earth Day Festival Volunteers (age 14 and up; age 11-13 permitted with an adult (18+) partner) Volunteers
will help set up and run family activities at this annual festival, on Sunday, April 24. SSL opportunity!
Family Volunteering!
Earth Day Planting Project (age 14 and up; age 11-13 with an adult (18+) partner) Volunteers will help plant
our new bioretention areas in the Parking Garden to reduce runoff. Come help improve and beautify our
world! Volunteers should be prepared for physical work outside, including kneeling. This opportunity is
only on Sunday, April 24, from 9:00 am to noon. SSL opportunity! Family Volunteering!
Gardener Assistants (age 16 and up) Volunteers assist with planting and care of a wide variety of ornamental
plants, including weeding, pruning, watering, grooming, preparing garden beds, mulching, and general
clean-up. This work, while sometimes physically demanding, provides volunteers the opportunity to
work with professional horticulture staff, enjoy the appreciation of the Gardens' visitors, and enhance
their own knowledge of plants and gardening techniques. Weekday mornings only.
Gift Shop Assistants (age 16 and up) assist in the operations of the Visitors Center and Conservatory gift
shops. Basic computer skills are required to operate the cash register. Various weekday and weekend
shifts are available, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm or 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. SSL opportunity!
Wings of Fancy Live Butterfly & Caterpillar Exhibit: Flight Attendants and Ticket Takers
Volunteers age 14 and up (or 11-13 with adult) are needed weekdays and weekends May through
September at this annual display of North American, Asian, African and Costa Rican butterflies. Flight
Attendants work inside the exhibit helping visitors experience the live butterflies; Ticket Takers work
outside the exhibit welcoming and assisting visitors. SSL opportunity! Family Volunteering!
Information Desk Assistants (age 18 and up) Volunteers are stationed at the Visitors Center information
desk, greeting visitors and providing information about Brookside Gardens. Volunteers work at least one day a
week, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm or 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland 20902
Volunteer Desk: 301.962.1429 Fax: 301.962.1469
[email protected] www.brooksidegardens.org