The Children’s Museum of Lake Charles

Procedure for Obtaining Authorization to Volunteer/Observe

The Children’s Museum is a facility, which strives to keep its visitors safe. The purpose of this document is to insure that students assigned to volunteer or observe at the museum are properly authorized to do so.

I.        Volunteer and Observation Hours

A.     Definitions

1. Volunteer - a museum volunteer is a person authorized by the museum to perform activities in the interest of the museum. Volunteers are admitted to the museum with prior authorization only. Volunteers are expected to follow the guidelines for volunteers that are attached.

2. Observer - a student observer is a person authorized by the museum to enter the museum during normal business hours and observe activity of guests and staff. Observers are expected to follow the guidelines for observers that are attached.

 

B.     Professor/Teacher Responsibilities

• The student’s teacher or professor (instructor) should be thoroughly familiar with this procedure. Please read it completely. If there are questions, the museum Assistant Director can be contacted at 337-433-9420.

• The instructor should contact the museum to request permission for their students to volunteer or observe. The museum will not admit or recognize volunteer or observation hours that are not authorized in advance.

• The instructor should provide: 

• Teacher or Professor’s name and contact information.

• The class course and number

• Due date for hours to be completed

• The number of hours per student, and whether to observe or volunteer.

• The number of students anticipated that will be volunteering or observing.

• If possible, a roster of the student's names.

• The Assistant Director of the museum will determine whether the museum can accommodate the request and notify the instructor. 

• Instructor should inform students of their responsibilities. They should be made aware of the distinction between observation and volunteering as defined above. Performance of the students’ education requirements is the responsibility of the students as determined by their instructor.

• The instructor will then provide the student’s with attached guidelines for scheduling their volunteer or observation hours. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL HOURS BE RECOGNIZED OR GRANTED WITHOUT ADVANCED APPROVAL.

• Upon the completion of authorized and approved hours, the museum will sign off on those hours, if they were completed within the museum guidelines. The museum reserves its right to revoke hours that were not completed within museum guidelines.

II.      Guidelines for Student Volunteers

 A.     Scheduling Volunteer Hours

• Approved Student Volunteers must schedule their volunteer hours in advance with the Assistant Director. This can be done through email* (allyson@child-museum.org) or over the phone (337-433-9420). *Email is the best way. When scheduling, please provide the following information:

  • Student’s name and contact information.
  • Teacher or Professor’s name and contact information.
  • The class course and number.
  • The number of volunteer hours to be completed by the student.
  • Due date for volunteer hours to be completed.

• Please call ahead of time to cancel or reschedule your volunteer hours. Failure to show up at your scheduled time without advance notice may result in not being able to reschedule.

• If you plan on eating lunch during your scheduled volunteer hours, please add thirty minutes to your time. Also, it is important to arrive and depart at the scheduled time.

• When your hours are completed following the appropriate guidelines, the Assistant Director or authorized staff will sign your volunteer time sheet. You are responsible for getting a copy of the museum’s volunteer time sheet for your portfolio.

B.     Rules for Volunteers

• You are allowed to wear jeans, shorts (not too short) and t-shirts. If you are volunteering to do physical work, we suggest wearing a pair of clothes that may get stained or dirty. However, all clothing should be neat and appropriate for the task assigned.
• Students may NOT bring or have a guest, (even a paid guest) when volunteering. Volunteers will be representing the museum, wearing museum smocks (supplied). As such, you are representing your school and the Children’s Museum. Please act appropriately. Do not use cell phones or loiter. You may be asked to leave at any time for inappropriate behavior. 
• Tasks will be assigned to you. If you have a valid reason why you cannot complete any task, please let staff know the reason. The museum has plenty of things to be done, and hopefully some of these are tasks you can perform.
• Please remember that your first priority is to monitor guests for safety.
• Our guests and customers are asked to observe the following rules, which are posted in the museum. Please help us by notifying staff if you see any violation or any unsafe condition that exists.
• Please be polite to our guests. If you have a problem with a guest or child, please contact staff.

III.    Visitors Rules  (posted in the museum)

1. Clean up after playing. Parents can help their children learn good habits as well as good manners.
2. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
3. Baby Bayou is for Toddlers ONLY, so big kids should not play in this area. 
4. Ask for help before touching any animals. Some carry salmonella, which requires disinfecting hands, and others bite!
5. Please DO NOT EAT OR DRINK IN THE EXHIBIT AREAS. You are welcome to use our party areas.
6. Respect the museum. Discard trash in trashcans. Let museum staff know if an item is broken or out of order. We are happy to help!

IV.   Guidelines for Student Observers

A.     Scheduling Observation Hours

• Approved Student Observers must schedule their observation hours in advance with the Assistant Director. This can be done through email* (allyson@child-museum.org) or over the phone (337-433-9420). *Email is the best way. When scheduling, please provide the following information:

• Teacher or Professor’s name and contact information.

• The class course and number.

• The number of observation hours to be completed by the student.

• Due date for observation hours to be completed.

• Please call ahead of time to cancel or reschedule your observation hours. Failure to show up at your scheduled time without advance notice may make it impossible to reschedule.
• If you plan on eating lunch during your scheduled observation hours, please add thirty minutes to your time. Also, it is important to arrive and depart at the scheduled time.
• When your hours are completed following the appropriate guidelines, the Assistant Director or authorized staff will sign your observation time sheet. You are responsible for getting a copy of the museum’s observation time sheet for your portfolio.

 B.     Rules for Student Observers

• Please dress in neat and clean clothing. 
• Please check in at the office and let us know you have arrived. We require observers to sign in before observing, and to sign out when leaving.
• Students may NOT bring or have a guest or bring along children, (even a paid guest) when observing. Observers will be provided with a badge or tag to wear identifying them as a student observer. Please return this when signing out.
• Please do not spend your observation time in the museum talking on cell phones or playing in exhibits, unless you arrange this in advance with the Assistant Director.
• Please be polite to our guests. Parents may be uncomfortable with you observing them. If they are, please use good judgment.