Volunteer
Whether you can give a few days a year or a few hours each week, your contribution will help this American estate to thrive. And few organizations offer such a wide variety of volunteer opportunities! Volunteer hours provide Maymont with the equivalent of 11 full-time staff members. They are an integral part of our organization and serve in a number of capacities. Time commitments vary; special events volunteers may work only one or two days a year, while other volunteers work several hours a month.
Opportunities
Dominion Energy Family Easter
Saturday, April 16, 2022
Volunteer shifts: 6:30-9:00am, 8:00-12:00pm, 11:00-3:00pm, and 2:00-4:30pm
Volunteers are needed to support Maymont's largest single-day volunteer event, Dominion Energy Family Easter! Over 200 volunteer positions are available, including greeting guests, running games and activities, craft-making, and face-painting. Groups of all sizes are welcome. Full-Day Zone Captain and Easter Bunny positions are open to adult volunteers.
Youth volunteers are welcome, though spots are limited, and youths under age 15 must volunteer with an adult. This event is rain or shine. Volunteers may sign up for multiple shifts. Sign up online.
Herbs Galore & More
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Volunteer shifts: 6:30-10:00am, 9:45-1:00pm, and 12:45-4:00pm
Join Maymont for Herbs Galore & More! Put on your gardening shoes, grab your little red wagon and come out to the Carriage House Lawn for everyone’s favorite plant sale! The event will feature over 60 vendors, wide aisles and a spacious layout for a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all guests.
Volunteer tasks include set-up, check-in, greeting guests and assisting with plant sales. Youth volunteers are welcome, though spots are limited, and youths under age 15 must volunteer with an adult. This event is rain or shine. Sign up online.
Italian Garden Turnover
Tuesday, May 2 – Friday, May 6
Volunteer shifts: 9am-12pm; daily
It's a big task to prepare Maymont's formal Italian Garden for summer, but a very rewarding result! Come volunteer with Maymont's horticulturists as they transform a garden to be enjoyed by thousands of guests and wedding-goers through the season ahead. Volunteers should bring gloves, water, sunscreen, face mask, closed-toe shoes and clothes they don't mind getting dirty. Sign up online.
Summer Kickoff Concert
Friday, May 6
Volunteer shifts: 5:00-8:30pm, and 8:00-11:00pm
Kick off the summer fun early with Three Sheets to the Wind, America’s #1 Yacht Rock tribute band, and Tom Petty tribute band, Full Moon Fever. There’s no better place to see a spectacular sunset and enjoy plenty of open space for singing, dancing and easy social distancing. Tasty food truck cuisine, beer and wine will be available for purchase during the concert. Volunteers support check-in, drink sales, and bar (ages 21+). Volunteers may enjoy the concert for free before or after their shift. This event is rain or shine. Sign up online.
Mutts at Maymont
Saturday, May 21 and June 18
Volunteer shifts: 2:15-5:30pm and 5:00-8:30pm
Lend a hand with Mutts at Maymont, as Maymont opens a section of the grounds to dog owners! Humans and their four-legged friends are invited to stroll along the designated Pup Path with views of the historic architecture and gardens. Guests can spread out a picnic blanket and enjoy live music, adult beverages and food trucks. Volunteer tasks include greeter, check-in and path monitor. Sign up online.
Beer & Wine Classic
Saturday, June 11
Volunteer shifts: 12:00-4:00pm, 5:15-8:30pm, 8:00-11:00pm
Join Maymont for the annual Beer & Wine Classic fundraiser! Guests will enjoy live music while sampling some of Virginia's finest beverages. Volunteers are needed to assist with multiple tasks such as set-up, pouring wine and beer, checking IDs/wristbands, registration, and cleaning up after the event. Volunteers must be 21+ and should be outgoing, comfortable interacting with guests, and able to stand for the entirety of their shift. Sign up online.
Animal Keeper
The job of keeping Maymont’s animals happy and healthy is not for the faint of heart, but if you don’t mind getting a little dirty, this is a very gratifying job. Maymont is home to hundreds of animals, some of whom are orphaned or injured. Volunteers learn assist with native Virginia animals care. Please note animal keepers have very little contact with the animals themselves.
- Minimum Age: 18 years and older
- Time Commitment: At least two shifts per month for three months, shifts are 9am-12pm, Monday-Sunday
- Skills/Qualifications: Ability listen to and follow specific instructions, good communication skills, willingness to get dirty, able to bend, lift, and stand for an entire shift, comfortable with public speaking, able to care for animals without “play time” with them
- Training: Mandatory orientation held on the first Sunday of each month. Email our Volunteer Coordinator to sign up.
Farm Interpreter
Help supervise activity in the barn and provide information about the animals to the public. This is a vital position, helping to ensure the safety of both the animals and guests, as well as providing a pleasant visitor experience.
- Minimum Age: 16 years and older
- Time Commitment: At least two shifts per month for a minimum of three months. Shifts available Monday-Sunday from 1-3pm or 2-5pm.
- Skills/Qualifications: Ability to listen and follow instructions, excellent communication skills, comfortable with public speaking, outgoing and engaging personality, comfortable being around a variety of animals, ability to work independently
- Training: Mandatory orientation provided. (Any interested volunteer under the age of 18 must meet with the Volunteer Coordinator prior to orientation.)
Estate Greeter (March-October)
Maymont is a 100-acre estate featuring a Gilded Age mansion, gardens, animal habitats, and a nature center. In order to help guests navigate the numerous attractions, we are in search of outgoing, friendly, and reliable volunteers to welcome guests to the estate. Greeters will engage guests to share basic information about the layout, offerings, and respectful use of Maymont.
- Minimum Age: All ages
- Time Commitment: At least one shift per month for three months, shifts are flexible
- Skills/Qualifications: Excellent communication skills, ability to work outdoors while standing for the entire shift, outgoing, friendly, and reliable
- Training: An orientation and quiz are offered online. Upon completion, volunteers will meet the Guest Services Manager to get started.
Gardener
Like playing in the dirt? Maymont’s small team of professional horticulturists needs your help to maintain the estate’s 100 acres. Garden volunteers can be found pruning, raking, planting, shoveling and weeding their way through the day, all to make Maymont’s grounds and gardens more beautiful. No experience is necessary, we’ll teach you as you go!
- Minimum Age: 18 years or older
- Time Commitment: Shifts are available from 8:30am-12pm, 12:30-4:30pm, or 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday (no weekends)
- Skills/Qualifications: Ability to perform outdoor physical labor
- Training: Volunteers will learn on the job while working side by side with our horticulturalists.
Environmental Education
Work alongside our top-notch team of environmental educators by engaging guests in learning about native Virginia wildlife in The Robins Nature Center and out on the grounds. Education volunteers are an integral part of providing accurate information and delightful experiences to all those who come to Maymont’s 100 acres.
- Minimum Age: 15 years or older
- Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per month
- Skills/Qualifications: Interest in environmental education, good communication skills, comfortable speaking in public, ability to stand for an extended period of time
- Training: Mandatory orientation provided.
Office Assistants
A lot of work goes into operating Maymont’s 100 acres, and some of it happens behind a desk! Office assistants help a variety of departments, including Accounting, Special Events, Development, and Environmental Education. Tasks can range from filing and data entry to craft and event preparations. Whether you are looking for a crafty, hands-on position or something clerical, we have a task for you.
- Minimum Age: 18 or older
- Time Commitment: Varies by department
- Skills/Qualifications: May vary by department; must be detail-oriented, organized, punctual, responsible and have good time management skills
- Training: Provided on the job
To apply, complete our online volunteer application. Questions? Email our Volunteer Coordinator or call 804-358-7166, ext. 327.
Junior Naturalist (Ages 15-18)
Junior Naturalists assist in teaching younger campers about our natural environment while gaining great experience in the environmental science field and leadership skills. Earn volunteer hours while working with animals, leading stories and lessons, and preparing crafts, activities, and experiments.
Volunteers must commit to attending a training session and volunteering at least three morning camps or two full day camps. Camps occur at various times May through August and volunteers will be able to choose which camps and days they will attend. Detailed information and instruction will be provided at the training session.
Interested students must submit a volunteer application, a one page cover letter detailing why they are interested in this program as well as why they would be a good fit for the program, and one reference letter from a teacher, employer or other volunteer supervisor.
Estate Greeter (March-October)
Maymont is a 100-acre estate featuring a Gilded Age mansion, gardens, animal habitats, and a nature center. In order to help guests navigate the numerous attractions, we are in search of outgoing, friendly, and reliable volunteers to welcome guests to the estate. Greeters will engage guests to share basic information about the layout, offerings, and respectful use of Maymont.
- Minimum age: All ages
- Time Commitment: At least one shift per month for three months, shifts are flexible
- Skills/Qualifications needed: Excellent communication skills, ability to work outdoors while standing for the entire shift, outgoing, friendly, and reliable.
- Training: An orientation and quiz are offered online. Upon completion, volunteers will meet the Guest Services Manager to get started.
Teen Volunteers
Seasonal and ongoing positions are available as Environmental Education helpers, Estate Greeters, Easter Youth Leaders, and Junior Naturalists in our summer camps.
To apply, complete our online volunteer application. Questions? Email our Volunteer Coordinator or call 804-358-7166, ext. 327.
Corporate and community groups play an enormous role in supporting Maymont. Groups of volunteers staff activities at Dominion Energy Family Easter, clean algae from the pond, sell plants at Herbs Galore & More, and even remove invasive plants from the bear habitat! If your group is interested in volunteering with us, email our Volunteer Coordinator to learn about what opportunities we have available.
Gardener
Like playing in the dirt? Maymont’s small team of professional horticulturists needs your help to maintain the estate’s 100 acres. Garden volunteers can be found pruning, raking, planting, shoveling and weeding their way through the day, all to make Maymont’s grounds and gardens more beautiful. No experience is necessary, we’ll teach you as you go!
- Minimum age: 18 years or older
- Time Commitment: Shifts are available from 8:30am-12pm, 12:30-4:30pm, or 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday (no weekends)
- Skills/Qualifications needed: Ability to perform outdoor physical labor
- Training: Volunteers will learn on the job while working side by side with our horticulturalists.
To apply, complete our online volunteer application. Questions? Email our Volunteer Coordinator or call 804-358-7166, ext. 327.
When I volunteer at Maymont, I not only get to help successfully run one of Richmond’s greatest gifts, I get to experience the joy of the visitors and of course, all of the animals and beauty Maymont’s nature has to offer.
My wife and I support Maymont through our volunteer efforts with administration and special events. Maymont has meant so much to our family over the years; we like to give something back to the community and to help make Maymont a special place for others.
Now that I’m retired I feel compelled to give back to Maymont with my time and energy to ensure that the next generation of Richmonders will continue to enjoy and learn here.