• Attend all five sessions of each assigned Camp week, in addition to a training session.

• Commit to volunteering for two or more Camp weeks (full- or half-days).

• Collaborate with a team of Bakken staff and counselors to best support and build skills and interests of campers by cultivating a safe, inclusive, and creative environment.

• Promote innovation process – the value of wonder, the growth from failure, the passion for discovery, and the strength of collaboration.

All who are interested in volunteering must complete the Camp Volunteer Application and attend a training session. The Camp Volunteer Application collects fundamental information including your summer availability. The application is available beginning in early April. Application submissions are due by the Friday before Memorial Day.

Yes, we have volunteers who are former campers in addition to volunteers who are new to the museum.

Yes. The application helps us collect fully up-to-date information from each volunteer, including each volunteer’s availability for the summer, which is important for scheduling purposes. The training session ensures that all volunteers have an introduction to the museum spaces, the safety protocols, and the different activities that will take place during camp. Additionally, it is an opportunity to meet the other awesome camp volunteers!

The minimum age for a Summer Camp Volunteer is 15 years old. All applicants must have completed one year of high school. Most (but not all) of our Summer Camp Volunteers are high school juniors and seniors or young people who have completed high school. We also have other school-year Makerspace Mentors who sometimes assist during summer camp.

Yes! This is recommended. The museum’s new policy (beginning 2025) asks volunteers to commit to a minimum of two weeks of Camp. Volunteers have the best experience when they assist for multiple weeks, because more experience means more comfort, learning, and fun. Camp sessions begin in mid-June and last until the week before Labor Day weekend.

No. We ask that Summer Camp Volunteers commit to full weeks of Camp, in order to provide as consistent an environment for campers as possible. We understand that conflicts come up and life happens, so we try our best to accommodate for individual scheduling needs. Almost all Camp weeks are 5 sessions, Monday-Friday, except when a holiday or other commitment causes a schedule change.

• Full-day camp volunteer shifts are 8:45am-4:15pm with a break for lunch.

• Half-day camp volunteer shifts are 8:45am-12:15pm and 12:45-4:15pm.

The differences are the age of the campers and day length. In Camp Innovation, the youngest campers are entering 4th grade, while in Young Makers, the campers are entering 2nd or 3rd grades. Camp Innovation is a full-day 5-day camp. Young Makers Camp is a half-day (AMs or PMs) 5-day camp.

Yes. Within our Visitor Service Volunteer roles, there are some responsibilities that Summer Camp Volunteers can fulfill. These shifts most often take place on the weekend and require a separate shift sign-up process.

Yes, hours spent volunteering during Summer Camp at The Bakken Museum count as service hours for the community. Upon request, the museum can provide an official report of your volunteer hours that you can use for your school/program.