Volunteer Programs
Community Service & Service-Learning
Make a difference while giving back to your community. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers community service and service-learning opportunities that help students fulfill academic service hour requirements while supporting our mission to inspire appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of Southern California's marine environment.
Please note that, in accordance with City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks policy, we are unable to provide volunteer opportunities for individuals completing court-ordered community service. For court-referred assignments, please contact the Volunteer Center, South Bay/Harbor/Long Beach at (310) 212-5009.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are an essential part of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium family. Once accepted into the program, volunteers are registered with the City of Los Angeles and become ambassadors for marine science and environmental education.
Volunteers must be at least 14 years old, complete the City's registration requirements (including fingerprinting and any current City eligibility requirements), and have parent or legal guardian permission if under 18 years of age. Name badges are provided, volunteer t-shirts are available for purchase, and participants are encouraged to become members of the Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium to further support the Aquarium's mission.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's Summer Docent Program is an excellent introduction to Southern California marine life. This program also develops skills in presenting information and interacting with the public, which are the foundation of informal education, as well as excellent tools to be used throughout life, no matter your career choice.
The Summer Docent Program has two sessions, based on the grade of the participant. After acceptance into the program, and attending the mandatory training week, the Docents will create educational projects and lead guided tours, summer camp classes or experiences.
Middle School Summer Docent Program June 15 to July 10, 2026
Entering Grades 7, 8 and 9 in the Fall of 2026
Training week (attendance is required): June 15 - 18, 9am-3:30pm
High School Summer Docent Program July 13 to August 7, 2026
Entering Grades 10, 11 and 12 in the Fall of 2026
Training week (attendance is required): July 13 - July 17, 9am-12:30pm
All materials must be received by 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Please contact CMA Volunteer Coordinator, Floyd Anderson, if you have any questions.
Join the team to support staff in communicating scientific concepts to the public, delivering exceptional animal care, and handling daily maintenance and cleaning of the Aquatic Nursery laboratory.
Responsibilities include:
- Provide informal educational presentations, focusing on the animals within the Aquatic Nursery, ocean conservation, and current research projects.
- Perform regular cleaning and maintenance of the laboratory and equipment.
- Administer both frozen and live food to Aquatic Nursery animals
Qualifications include:
- A minimum time commitment of 4 hours per week for 6 months
- Strong communication skills with the public
- Must be 18 years or older to volunteer at the Aquatic Nursery
Application period:
- Recruitment in May and November
- 2025 recruitment is filled. Please check back for 2026 openings.
Share your love of the ocean while inspiring the next generation of marine explorers! As a Beach Docent, you'll work alongside Cabrillo Marine Aquarium educators to introduce school groups to the wonders of Cabrillo Beach through hands-on activities and engaging lessons about marine life and coastal ecosystems.
We're looking for volunteers who enjoy being outdoors, are eager to learn about the ocean, and have a passion for working with children. Beach Docents commit to one morning per week from April through mid-June and should be comfortable standing and walking on the beach and grassy areas for two or more hours.
Training sessions are held each March. Please contact CMA Volunteer Coordinator, Floyd Anderson, if you have any questions.
Docents, "volunteer teachers," guide children on one-hour tours through the aquarium exhibit hall and give demonstrations on the beach. They provide information and conduct various activities relating to animals and plants of our local tidepools, beaches, kelp forests, islands and open ocean. Qualifications include a desire to learn about marine animals and the ocean environment and an interest in children. Following training, docents volunteer one morning a week (October-June). Volunteers in this position should be able to be on their feet for two one-hour tours each morning either in the exhibit hall (Fall/Winter) or on the beach (Spring Outdoor program).
Following two months of training, docents will choose one morning per week to provide tours. Training is offered in September each year. A fee of $30 covers training materials. Financial aid is available. Please contact CMA Volunteer Coordinator, Floyd Anderson, if you have any questions.
Discover the Pacific gray whale and other exciting marine life off our Southern California coast, and then share your knowledge with others aboard whale watch vessels and in classrooms. If you are college age (18 or above), would like to learn about marine mammals and be willing to share your knowledge with others as a guide aboard a whale watch or by visiting schools from December 26 through the end of March, we want you!
Training classes begin on the first Tuesday of October, at 7:00 p.m. and the weekly classes continue through the end of March. The classes are approximately two hours in duration and are free. No prior experience is necessary, all training will be provided.
No reservations are needed – join us on the first Tuesday of October at 7:00 p.m. when we will dive into the details during a fun orientation. We will meet in the John M. Olguin Auditorium at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. For more information, visit www.CabrilloWhalewatch.org