Become a Volunteer
Be a part of the Meijer Gardens family—become a volunteer.
Meijer Gardens volunteers are more than just volunteers, they're family. Offering a diverse set of interests, backgrounds and talents, volunteers devote themselves to educating, informing and bringing a smile to guests' faces.
Upcoming Volunteer Information Sessions:
Check back soon for upcoming Volunteer Information Sessions.
No reservation required. Drop-ins welcome. Signs will be available to guide new volunteers to the orientation location.
If you have any questions, contact the Volunteer Department at volunteer@meijergardens.org.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Sometimes considered a guest's personal tour guide, docents hold the key to upcoming programming, artist information, interesting facts about sculptures and more.
Be the first smile guests see when they walk in the door. Front Desk volunteers greet guests, handle admission transactions and answer questions about upcoming events or programming.
Help stock inventory, manage transactions and find a perfect gift for guests as a Gift Shop volunteer.
Get active by digging, planting, weeding, pruning, watering and more in the indoor and outdoor garden areas; putting all green thumbs to use.
Tram drivers are essential to provide smooth rides for visitors of all ages during narrated tram tours.
Learn fascinating information about the artwork and artists featured in our Sculpture Park in order to guide visitors through a 45-minute scripted narrated tour.
Ring up guests as they explore the James & Shirley Balk Café. Enjoy Lena’s Garden, a vibrantly colored glass sculpture created by Dale Chihuly, while clearing and cleaning tables and ensuring visitors are comfortable.
Welcome guests to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with maps and brochures, knowledge of the greater Grand Rapids area and a friendly smile.
Help control the flow of guest traffic at the monitor desk. Welcome guests while taking their tickets, and thank guests for visiting as you guide them to the exits at the end of their trip.
Engage with guests throughout the year in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. PALs (Play Activity Leaders) greet, guide, and assist guests of all ages in the ten interactive themed areas of the Children's Garden.
Have fun as a PAL Partner! PAL Partners are teen volunteers entering high school or ages 14-17 years old (homeschoolers are welcome!) that interact with guests of all ages in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Check out the PAL Partner Flyer and application for more details.
Testimonials
The place, the people, the energy, and the joy. It feeds my soul.
Lee Hicks, Gift Shop volunteer
I first visited the Meijer Gardens a couple of months after the opening and knew right away it was a very special place that I needed to be a part of. It's my little pocket of paradise! I'm going into my 19th year and I still love this place.
Sue Coussens, docent and indoor horticulture volunteer
Surprisingly, it is not what I do in my volunteer position at the Meijer Gardens, but what the Gardens have done for me. It is a combination of my friends, my family and a challenge to be a better person. It is an honor to be a part of such an amazing environment, and it is my pleasure to serve and be a part of such a great organization.
Betty Kingston, Kids Tram, Farm Garden, outdoor summer concerts, Lena Meijer Children's Garden, and special event volunteer
The best part of volunteering at Meijer Gardens is spending time in an environment that has awesome gardens, world-class sculptures, and a positive, supportive staff. Every day is an interesting and new experience, as we interact with guests from all over the country and the world!
David VandenBerg, Tram and Bus Buddy volunteer
I love working in outdoor horticulture because of the sense of fulfillment that I get from making the grounds look great! When a visitor passes by and says, 'Thank You,' those are all the words I need to hear.
Tina Cronkhite, outdoor horticulture volunteer
Volunteer Opportunities
Sometimes considered a guest's personal tour guide, docents hold the key to upcoming programming, artist information, interesting facts about sculptures and more.
Be the first smile guests see when they walk in the door. Front Desk volunteers greet guests, handle admission transactions and answer questions about upcoming events or programming.
Help stock inventory, manage transactions and find a perfect gift for guests as a Gift Shop volunteer.
Get active by digging, planting, weeding, pruning, watering and more in the indoor and outdoor garden areas; putting all green thumbs to use.
Tram drivers are essential to provide smooth rides for visitors of all ages during narrated tram tours.
Learn fascinating information about the artwork and artists featured in our Sculpture Park in order to guide visitors through a 45-minute scripted narrated tour.
Ring up guests as they explore the James & Shirley Balk Café. Enjoy Lena’s Garden, a vibrantly colored glass sculpture created by Dale Chihuly, while clearing and cleaning tables and ensuring visitors are comfortable.
Welcome guests to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with maps and brochures, knowledge of the greater Grand Rapids area and a friendly smile.
Help control the flow of guest traffic at the monitor desk. Welcome guests while taking their tickets, and thank guests for visiting as you guide them to the exits at the end of their trip.
Engage with guests throughout the year in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. PALs (Play Activity Leaders) greet, guide, and assist guests of all ages in the ten interactive themed areas of the Children's Garden.
Have fun as a PAL Partner! PAL Partners are teen volunteers entering high school or ages 14-17 years old (homeschoolers are welcome!) that interact with guests of all ages in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Check out the PAL Partner Flyer and application for more details.