Volunteering
Volunteering at Longwood Gardens builds social and professional contacts, increases knowledge and skills, and adds to personal growth. You will become a part of the organization and represent Longwood Gardens to hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
In turn, you will contribute new and often unique skills, ideas, and experience to the organization. Longwood staff will benefit both professionally and personally through their interaction with you and other volunteers.
To view our current list of volunteering opportunities, follow the links to the left.
To view our volunteer calendars for the Audio Tour and Heritage Exhibit, click on the Volunteer Calendar links to the left.
Volunteers may expect Longwood Gardens to provide:
- A description of the available opportunities
- Adequate training and effective supervision
- Equipment and materials necessary for the job
- A safe and appreciative work environment
- Opportunities for learning and gaining experience
- Evaluation and feedback on performance
- Recognition for volunteer hours and years of service
- Opportunity to participate in Longwood’s continued success
- A Volunteer Information Manual
Volunteers are asked to:
- Select a position appropriate to their interests, abilities, and experience
- Adhere to the schedule outlined in their position description
- Complete required orientation and training
- Purchase safety shoes if required for the position
- Read and follow the Volunteer Information Manual
- Support Longwood's mission, principles, planning vision, and policies
- Read and support the Visitor Services Vision Statement
- Work a minimum of 30 hours each year
- Effectively represent Longwood Gardens on- and off-site
- Stay informed regarding changes in policies and programs
As an active volunteer you will receive:
- Free daily admission to the Gardens. Volunteers arrive through Longwood's Visitor Center entrance and present their Volunteer Identification Card when visiting the Gardens during non-work hours.
- Ten (10) complimentary admission tickets to Longwood Gardens per year. These tickets may be used to bring guests on visits to Longwood.
- A discount at Longwood's Terrace Restaurant Cafeteria while you are on duty. The discount is not valid in the Terrace Restaurant Full-Service Dining Room.
- Access to Longwood's extensive horticultural reference library containing over 24,000 books and 400 circulated periodicals relating to the field of horticulture and gardening.
- Longwood's bi-monthly newsletter, the Longwood Chimes. Volunteers have the opportunity to contribute articles and photographs to the newsletter.
- Reduced fees for Longwood's Continuing Education courses. Most courses are available to volunteers on a space-available basis at a rate of 20-30% of the course fee.
- Access to Longwood's Shirt Shop to purchase Longwood clothing items. These items are available for purchase only by Longwood employees, students, and volunteers, and are not available to the public.
- Invitations to informational get-togethers for recognition and information concerning Longwood Gardens activities.