Bay Area
Museum Volunteer Programs for Teens in the Bay Area
10 museum volunteer programs across San Francisco, the Peninsula, the South Bay, and the East Bay. 7 are not listed as paused or waitlisted; application availability varies. 3 list a minimum age under 16, excluding paused and waitlisted programs.
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- Opportunities
- 10
- Not paused or waitlisted
- 7
- application availability varies
- Minimum age under 16
- 3
- excludes paused and waitlisted
- Summer only
- 2
- others run longer or do not say
- Bay Area Discovery Museum Volunteer Program (ages 15+)
Volunteering · Sausalito, CA
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy Explorers
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Exploratorium High School Explainer Program
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 18
- When to apply
- School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship Program
Internship · Berkeley, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 11 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research Programs
Summer program · Berkeley, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 7 to 12
- When to apply
- Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday Helpers
Volunteering · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- California Academy of Sciences Academy Naturalist Teen (ANT) VolunteerPaused
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPaused
Volunteering · Mountain View, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- Not posted
- The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen VolunteersPaused
Volunteering · Berkeley, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Not posted
| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Discovery Museum Volunteer Program (ages 15+)Volunteering · Museum or science center | Sausalito, CA | 15 and up | At least a 3-hour commitment; regular, seasonal, or one-time shifts | Year-round |
| California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | 2 or 3 years through high school graduation; after school and Saturdays during the school year, weekdays in summer | Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy ExplorersVolunteering · Museum or science center | Oakland, CA | Grades 10 to 12 | 2 floor shifts per month in the school year, 3 per month in summer, plus Inquiry Teams that meet 7 times per semester | Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Exploratorium High School Explainer ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Ages 15 to 18 | Entire school-year or summer session; more than 60 hours of training | School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Grades 11 to 12 | Saturday workshops in May plus full-time summer placement, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm, June 1 to August 7, 2026 | Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research ProgramsSummer program · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Grades 7 to 12 | One-week sessions in June and July 2026; optional residential add-on for some sessions | Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday HelpersVolunteering · Museum or science center | San Jose, CA | 14 and up | At least six shifts of 3-4 hours across November 21-29 and December 19 to January 3; one 3.5-hour orientation | Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| California Academy of Sciences Academy Naturalist Teen (ANT) VolunteerPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Not posted |
| Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | Mountain View, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | Not posted | Not posted |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen VolunteersPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Not posted |
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In the Bay Area
- Pre-Med (18)
- Nursing and Health (18)
- Pre-Vet and Animal Science (12)
- Biology and Environmental Science (24)
- Engineering and Computer Science (7)
- Law and Government (3)
- Education (27)
- Arts and Humanities (8)
- Psychology and Social Work (6)
- Hospital (18)
- Zoo and Aquarium (11)
- Library (9)
- Animal Shelter (5)
- Parks and Environment (5)
- Community Service (3)
Frequently asked questions
How old does my teen need to be?
Each organization sets its own rule. The table shows the minimum age or grade each one posts, and says so when nothing is posted.
What does a teen volunteer actually do?
It varies by program. Each program page describes the work as the organization does, along with the hours it asks for.
Sources and method
Each opportunity was read from the organization's own page. A rule, date, or fee the page does not state is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-13. Programs change age rules, hours, and application windows, so confirm on the official page before applying. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these organizations.
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Museum Volunteer Programs for Teens in the Bay Area”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/in/bay-area/museums.
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