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By Jen Kreiner
Volunteers are the heart of the organizations they serve. They give their valuable time and resources for a number of reasons, every one unique to the person they belong to. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with a broad spectrum of volunteers at the Children’s Museum, Missoula; University students looking for experience in the field of early childhood education, moms with young children who wanted a positive educational and social experience, foreign exchange students integrating themselves into a whole new culture, as well as, the many skilled painters, carpenters, and helping hands who have molded the face of the museum into what it is today.
One special group of volunteers that have always exceeded my expectations are our junior volunteers. This age group of 11-13 year olds, is so unique in their interactions with the young visitors. Perhaps their appeal is that they are viewed as the fun, older sibling who can play and teach simultaneously. They are always received by parents and kids with great enthusiasm as they just dive in to the exhibits (sometimes literally) digging for dino bones, putting on a puppet show or painting faces.
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