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Volunteer Information

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Help Sandoway Discovery Center fulfill our mission to inspire environmental stewardship through education and interactive experiences that promote understanding of coastal conservation.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering is a meaningful way to gain hands-on experience in a future field of study while meeting new people and building lasting connections. With a wide range of volunteer positions available, we are committed to making your experience both enriching for you and valuable to our organization.

General requirements for volunteering:

  • Must be at least fifteen years old.
  • No court ordered service hours.
  • Complete the application process. 
  • Commit to working at least three hours per week for a minimum of six months.
  • Fees:

    -Adults, 18 years of age and older: $24 for a background check. 

We need your help! Available Positions

Gift Shop Attendant

Sandoway Discovery Center is looking for friendly, dependable volunteers to serve as Gift Shop Attendants. In this role, volunteers help create a warm and engaging experience for visitors by welcoming the public, answering questions in person and over the phone, and assisting with admission and gift shop purchases.

Gift Shop Attendants also support Sandoway’s mission by helping visitors learn about memberships and animal adoptions while sharing information about our programs and exhibits. This position is ideal for volunteers who enjoy interacting with people and being part of a dynamic, educational environment. Weekly shifts available. Flexible scheduling based on availability.

I am Interested

Handyman​

Sandoway Discovery Center is seeking skilled and reliable handyman volunteers to assist with general maintenance around our historic nature center. Tasks may include basic repairs, painting, light carpentry, and other upkeep projects that help keep our facility safe, functional, and welcoming for visitors. This is a great opportunity to support environmental education while using your practical skills to make a visible impact. Hours are flexible and can be scheduled based on availability and project needs.

 

I am Interested
Garden Volunteers

Butterfly Gardener

Sandoway Discovery Center is seeking volunteers to help care for our Butterfly Garden and native plant gardens. Butterfly Gardener Volunteers play an important role in maintaining these outdoor spaces by assisting with weeding, pruning, watering, and planting, helping to create healthy habitats for pollinators and native wildlife. This hands-on volunteer opportunity is perfect for individuals who enjoy working outdoors, learning about native plants, and supporting conservation through garden stewardship. Hours are flexible and can be scheduled based on availability and seasonal needs.

I am Interested

Animal Care

Sandoway Discovery Center is seeking dedicated volunteers to assist with the daily care of our educational animals. Animal Care Volunteers help ensure the health and well-being of our animal ambassadors by supporting routine husbandry tasks such as cleaning enclosures, changing water, and preparing and providing food. This hands-on role is ideal for individuals who are responsible, detail-oriented, and passionate about animal care and conservation. Volunteers work alongside staff to maintain clean, safe habitats while learning about Florida’s native and invasive species. Weekly shifts available

I am Interested

Docent

Sandoway Discovery Center is seeking enthusiastic Docent Volunteers to assist staff with educational programming and visitor engagement. Docents play a key role in bringing Sandoway’s mission to life by supporting school programs and interacting with visitors through touch tanks, biofacts, animal roving, and animal exhibit talks. This role is ideal for volunteers who enjoy public speaking, hands-on learning, and sharing knowledge about Florida’s coastal and marine ecosystems. Docents work closely with education staff to create memorable, meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages. Weekly shifts available

I am Interested
Aquarist volunteers cleaning the tanks

Aquarist Assistant

Sandoway Discovery Center is seeking dedicated Aquarist Assistant Volunteers to support the care of our aquatic animals and life-support systems. Working alongside professional aquarists, volunteers will learn the fundamentals of aquatic animal husbandry, including system maintenance, tank cleaning, water quality testing and control, and appropriate animal handling and interaction. This hands-on role offers valuable experience for individuals interested in marine science, animal care, or environmental education, while directly supporting the health of Sandoway’s aquatic exhibits and educational programs. Weekly shifts available

I am Interested

To learn more about our volunteer program please contact Suzanne Williamson at:

suzanne.sandoway@gmail.com

Volunteer

Help Sandoway Discovery Center fulfill our mission of being South Florida’s premier marine life center through education and conservation!

Volunteer

Schedule a Party

Choose from the following programs:
  • Stingray touch tank
  • Skunk encounter
  • Maggie Encounter
  • Gigi Encounter
Reserve a Party

Adoptions

The Sandoway Discovery Center animal adoption program is a great way to help care and feed one animal of your choice for one year. When you sponsor an animal your gift goes directly to support the professional care of your adopted animal.

Who Can I Adopt?

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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    Rental Procedure:

    • A group representative must complete and submit a Facility Rental Reservation Form at least 15 days prior to the event. Rentals will be approved on a first come-first served basis, depending on availability.
    • Facility staff will review the request, and if the requested space is available, a site meeting will be held between the facility manager and the group representative no later than 5 days after the booking.
    • At the time of the site meeting, a $100 non-refundable deposit is due. Payment can be made by check, credit card or cash. The Facility Rental Policies and Procedures will be reviewed and the Facility User Agreement/Permit will be signed by both parties and issued to the group representative.
    • The day of the event after the clean-up is completed, a walk-through with a facility staff member and the representative will be conducted to ensure the facility is left in the condition it was found. The permitee will be required to pay additional fees for any damage or additional cleaning, or if the rental room is not vacated by the end of the permitted rental time.
    Cost / payment

    A $50 non-refundable deposit is due the day of the site meeting. Payment must be in the form of cash, check or credit card. Checks must be payable to: Sandoway Discovery Center. The cost of the room is $50 per hour. WE have no minimum requirement but our maximum capacity is 30 people.

    Parking

    Parking is located off of Ingraham Ave. on the south-side of the Center. Please make sure to get a parking pass from the attendant inside the Center to leave on the dashboard of your car. Free parking is provided for a limited number of cars. We only have 10 spaces in our parking lot. Carpooling is highly recommended.

    Additional policies
    • It is the group’s responsibility to set-up before and clean-up after the facility rental, during the permitted rental time.
    • Due to limited space, groups will not be allowed to store items for the event at the facility prior to or after the event.
    • Food/Drink is allowed ONLY in the permitted room.
    • Groups may not nail, staple, or alter any walls, doors or any area of the facility. Please report any damaged equipment prior to start of birthday party.
    • The facility only provides the permitted space, (8) 6”x2.5” tables and (30) chairs. All other items, such as food, decorations, and supplies, must be provided by the user. Sorry, the facility does not have a kitchenette or items such as tape, utensils, copy machine, cooler, etc. available for use.
    Cancellation policy

    Cancellation of a facility rental more than 10 days in advance shall be refunded the $50 deposit in full (please allow 3 weeks for reimbursement). Cancellation of a facility rental less than 10 days in advance will not be given a refund, but will be allowed to reschedule within 90 days.

    Directions from the north:

    I-95 to Atlantic Ave.

    East on Atlantic to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    South (right) on A1A, 2 blocks past Sandoway Park sign.

    Then right onto Ingraham Ave and turn right into lot.

    Direction from the south:

    I-95 to Linton Blvd.

    East on Linton to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    North (left) on A1A to Ingraham Ave.

    Make a left onto Ingraham Ave. and immediately turn right into our lot.

    Building rules
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
    • No running
    • No yelling or disruptive behavior
    • No gum anywhere in the building
    • No climbing or standing on the exhibits or railings
    • No tapping on animal enclosure or tanks
    • Shirt and shoes required

    Sandoway Discovery Center Birthday Party Rental Policies and Procedures

    Birthday Party Procedure:

    • A group representative must complete and submit a Birthday Party Reservation Form at least 15 days prior to the event. Birthday parties will be approved on a first come-first served basis, depending on availability.
    • Facility staff will review the request, and if the requested space is available, a site meeting will be held between the facility manager and the group representative no later than 5 days after the booking.
    • At the time of the site meeting, a $100 non-refundable deposit is due. Payment can be made by check, credit card or cash. The Birthday Party Rental Policies and Procedures will be reviewed and the Facility User Agreement/Permit will be signed by both parties and issued to the group representative.
    • The day of the event after the clean-up is completed, a walk-through with a facility staff member and the representative will be conducted to ensure the facility is left in the condition it was found. The permitee will be required to pay additional fees for any damage or additional cleaning, or if the rental room is not vacated by the end of the permitted rental time.
    Cost / payment

    A $100 non-refundable deposit is due the day of the site meeting. Payment must be in the form of cash, check or credit card. Checks must be payable to: Sandoway Discovery Center. Individual fee payment is due on the day of the party and is $10 per person. We require a minimum of 10 individuals in a party group and our maximum is 30 people which includes children and adults!

    Parking

    Parking is located off of Ingraham Ave. on the south-side of the Center. Please make sure to get a parking pass from the attendant inside the Center to leave on the dashboard of your car. Free parking is provided for a limited number of cars. We only have 10 spaces in our parking lot. Carpooling is highly recommended.

    Direction from the south:

    I-95 to Linton Blvd.

    East on Linton to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    North (left) on A1A to Ingraham Ave.

    Make a left onto Ingraham Ave. and immediately turn right into our lot.

    Directions from the north:

    I-95 to Atlantic Ave.

    East on Atlantic to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    South (right) on A1A, 2 blocks past Sandoway Park sign.

    Then right onto Ingraham Ave and turn right into lot.

    Cancellation policy

    Cancellation of a party more than 10 days in advance shall be refunded the $100 deposit in full (please allow 3 weeks for reimbursement). Cancellation of a party less than 10 days in advance will not be given a refund, but the group will be allowed to reschedule within 90 days.

    Building rules
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
    • No running
    • No yelling or disruptive behavior
    • No gum anywhere in the building
    • No climbing or standing on the exhibits or railings
    • No tapping on animal enclosure or tanks
    • Shirt and shoes required
    Additional policies

    It is the group’s responsibility to set-up before and clean-up after the party, during the permitted rental time.

    • Due to limited space, groups will not be allowed to store items for the event at the facility prior to or after the event.
    • Food/Drink is allowed ONLY in the permitted room.
    • Groups may not nail, staple, or alter any walls, doors or any area of the facility. Please report any damaged equipment prior to start of birthday party.
    • The facility only provides the permitted space, (8) 6”x2.5” tables and (30) chairs. All other items, such as food, decorations, and party supplies, must be provided by the user. Sorry, the facility does not have a kitchenette or items such as tape, utensils, copy machine, cooler, etc. available for use.

    Membership Has Its Perks!

    Enjoy an Annual Membership to Sandoway Discovery Center!
    Members receive free admission, in addition to members only discounts.

    FREE ADMISSION

    Enjoy for one full year
    FREE admission to the nature center for one year plus discounts on special events and birthday party bookings.

    15% GIFT SHOP SAVINGS

    Find special gifts
    Your new membership package includes a variety of Sandoway swag in addition to a 15% discount in our gift shop all year long.

    SPECIAL INVITATIONS

    Be a VIP with Sandoway
    You'll receive invitations to
    special programs and member-only events throughout the year.

    DECK84 DISCOUNTS

    Delicious waterside dining
    Save 20% off your check at Deck84 located on the intracoastal in Delray.

    SURF SHACK - 15% OFF

    Delicious food and smoothies
    Take 15% off your entire check at Surf Shack Subs, Smoothies and Bowls throughout the year.

    DELIVERY DUDES

    Get instant food to your door
    Take $5 off on every order through Delray Delivery Dudes with your Membership Card.

    pizza

    $5 OFF ANTHONY'S COAL FIRED PIZZA, DELRAY

    Grab a slice
    $5 off your check at the Delray Beach location.

    10% OFF POPCORN

    Tasty treats for less
    Take 10% off your entire purchase at the Original Popcorn House of Delray Beach.

    $2 OFF SILVERBALL

    Enjoy arcade savings
    Receive $2 off your entry to the Silverball Pinball Museum in downtown Delray Beach.

    DELRAY BEACH TOURS

    Experience the history
    Save $2.00 off every ticket purchased for the Delray Beach Historical Tour.