To explore life of Dubuque, the Mississippi River and the Rivers of America and their global connections, and to research, interpret, educate and promote the conservation of their historical and natural environment.
Website Address
http://www.rivermuseum.com
Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/rivermuseum
Twitter Page
https://twitter.com/rivermuseum
Volunteer Need 1
MRC Greeter - 2-10 hours per week: The MRC Greeter (Mississippi River Center) will stand near the Main Entrance and welcome every visitor to the Mississippi River Center. Smile! Ask to see visitors’ sticker. Handout the map and explain the location of aquariums, exhibits, movie times, etc. as we have done in the past. Don’t forget to explain that the front side is the MRC & the back side is the NRC. (Note: people will enter the building through the paddlewheel box office area, the Riverboat Museum wing, and the Boatyard Plaza doors). Thank people as they leave for the day for coming. If going back to the National River Center building, let people know how to get back there. We have wheelchairs and strollers available for use. They will be located to the left of the backwater marsh before the doors to the Boatyard Plaza. When you see someone enter in a wheelchair or with a stroller, point out the elevator before the Gift Store. Remind all visitors that the museum and aquarium and all riverfront features are ADA (American Disability Act) compliant.
Volunteer Need 2
NRC Greeter - 2-10 hours per week: The NRC Greeter (National River Center) will stand well inside the front doors, past the box office. Smile! Ask to see visitors’ sticker. Give them a map and direct them to: the RiverWays Gallery, the River’s to the Sea Gallery, RiverWorks Gallery, Rivers Edge Café, the Gift Store (press 1 on the elevator); and the Restrooms. The easiest route to the Mississippi River Center is to exit the main front entrance, through the Mississippi Plaza and enter at the Woodward Museum. We have wheelchairs and strollers available for use. They will be located on the steps inside the front door of the new building. When you see someone enter in a wheelchair or with a stroller, point out the elevator directly across from the box office. Remind all visitors that the museum and aquarium and all riverfront features are ADA (American Disability Act) compliant.
Volunteer Need 3
Touch Tank - 2-10 hours per week: The Touch Tank position (Mississippi River Center) will be located beside the Sturgeon Touch Tank and explain to visitors the proper procedure of washing arm, hands, etc. The Educator stationed in the Wetlab will be there to help with any questions. We have wheelchairs and strollers available for use. They will be located to the left of the backwater marsh before the doors to the Boatyard Plaza. When you see someone enter in a wheelchair or with a stroller, point out the elevator before the Gift Store. Remind all visitors that the museum and aquarium and all riverfront features are ADA (American Disability Act) compliant.
Volunteer Need 4
RiverWorks Assistant - 2-10 hours per week: The RiverWorks Assistant (2nd floor) is responsible for helping the Educator at the RiverWorks Stream Table. Please help clean up any water, hang up smocks and collect boats. Extra towels and smocks are available in the storage closet. This area can get wet, so volunteers/interns should wear footwear that will not hold water. The volunteer/intern can assist the learning process at this table while the children and adults are having fun. There is a “parking place’ for strollers just outside of the RiverWorks Gallery and people are encouraged to leave strollers at this point and to carry or assist their toddlers or babies.
Volunteer Need 5
Flood Table - 2-10 hours per week: The Flood Table educator/volunteer (Mississippi River Center) will be located beside the flood table and explain to visitors which flood is being seen. The orange button simulates the 1965 flood in Dubuque that reached almost up to the Dubuque County Courthouse and inundated the Ice Harbor area and much of downtown Dubuque. The Julien Dubuque Bridge, going to Illinois, was the only bridge open for hundreds of miles up and down the Mississippi River. On the post near the flood table is a marker where the water level would have reached during the 1965 flood. The educator/volunteer can also point out another marker outside in the boat yard, on the light post near the boat launch. The educator/volunteer can orient the visitor to other important landmarks on the flood table such as the lock and dam, train bridge, green line representing the flood wall built in 1973, Catfish Creek, the Wisconsin Bridge. Visitors always like personal stories from actual experiences or stories that have been heard from others who experienced a Dubuque flood. The Educator stationed in the Wetlab will be there to help with any questions.