Volunteering – Children’s Museum

One of my resolutions in May is to volunteer more in my community. This is one post in a series discussing the volunteer opportunities I’ve sought out. 

When I started really thinking about potential volunteer opportunities a few months ago, I figured out pretty quickly that working with young children would be the way I would go. In my real job, I work on politics and with lots of adults (obviously, I guess), so I wanted something so different from that. Moreover, I knew already that interacting with young children makes me happy, and I am a big believer in learning through play (yes, seriously).

So when I found out about the opportunities for getting involved at The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, I was really excited. After filling out a quick application and going through an interview, I was told they’d be happy to have me on board, and I made a doable commitment of every other Sunday.

It’s been a lot of fun so far! There is a lot of work involved with getting the museum ready for the day and keeping it in relative order while its open in the midst of chaos, but it’s worth it to see the kids so excited and engaged in their surrounding – and even more worth it when you get to interact with the children and help them learn through play.

I’ve written a little about my experiences already, specifically on the climbing apparatus. I’ve had a few more instances where, like the little girl in the original post, kids have been scared to death to complete the activity, but then with some degree of coaxing do it, and are so excited that they did. I don’t think helping kids conquer their fears on the climbing exhibit will ever get old, especially when working with the kids who are even more scared than most.

This experience has been great, because, as I’ve already mentioned, it’s different from what I do for my real job, and I get to play and interact with children. In addition though, I feel like I’m contributing to the entire community, because I’m helping make this museum the best it can be, which only further lifts up University Circle and the rest of the area.  It’s a win for everybody!