Volunteer diver @ Mystic Aquarium

[mstudley]

I was looking over Mystic Aquarium's website and found that they had a volunteer SCUBA program. The duties are helping clean tanks and other stuff like that but it looks like a nice opportunity to volunteer some time to a good aquarium while diving in the process.

Anyone ever had any volunteer experience with the aquarium SCUBA or no or know anyone who has? Thanks.

-- Matt

 

[Gabriel90512]

do you have a link ?

 

[mstudley]

do you have a link ?

Here's a link to the volunteer info: http://www.mysticaquarium.org/feetwet/volunteer/volunteer.asp

From there you can go to open positions and select SCUBA.

 

[Gabriel90512]

Here's a link to the volunteer info: http://www.mysticaquarium.org/feetwet/volunteer/volunteer.asp

From there you can go to open positions and select SCUBA.

SOUNDS LIKE FUN ...... BUT ANOTHER TEST ....
MAN PEOPLE LOVE TO TEST DIVERS LOL

 

[norcaldiver]

I dive for the Aquarium of the Pacific out here in Long Beach, CA and love it. Been there a little over a year now and at times it can get boring....scrub, scrub, scrub....but when you turn around and wave at a kid and their eyes get big and their mouth drops open, that's the coolest! It's like they don't realize that you can see them too, heh.

 

[MSilvia]

Sounds like a great opportunity... too bad it's 2 hours away from Boston.

 

[PK]

Hi,

I am a dive volunteer at the New England Aquarium. It's really fun and I've been pretty dedicated for about 2 years. They sometimes looking for more volunteers so if anyone is interested, check out their volunteer descriptions at their website: www.neaq.org

One note: you have to volunteer for the dive department for about 6 months before you can become a dive volunteer. There are other prerequisites that have to do with dive experience. Check it out. I find that the wait isn't so bad. Also, the other duties are still pretty interesting.

The idea is that you are donating your time to a good cause.

 

[spn923]

Hi - I used to volunteer at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and they also have a program for divers to clean the tanks for the marine mammals. I've never done it because the wait-list for those positions was always something like 6-18 months and seniority counts. A lot of the current divers start out doing something like interpretation or education, and then get on the list for diving. But they also have a need for back-up divers, who live close enough to the aquarium to be on-call just in case one of the scheduled divers can't make it. So that might be an option if there's a wait-list and depending on how close you live to the place.

I've heard that it can be very rewarding and interesting, and the kids who watch the divers feeding/cleaning are always amazed and like to ask tons of questions. I've also heard that you can get some nasty skin diseases from the water, but I don't know how true that is. Either way, I think it's a good way to get in the water on a regular basis. Volunteering was a great experience for me and I learned a ton of interesting stuff about the animals and the collections at the aquarium.

I was looking over Mystic Aquarium's website and found that they had a volunteer SCUBA program. The duties are helping clean tanks and other stuff like that but it looks like a nice opportunity to volunteer some time to a good aquarium while diving in the process.

Anyone ever had any volunteer experience with the aquarium SCUBA or no or know anyone who has? Thanks.

-- Matt

 

[mstudley]

One note: you have to volunteer for the dive department for about 6 months before you can become a dive volunteer. There are other prerequisites that have to do with dive experience. Check it out. I find that the wait isn't so bad. Also, the other duties are still pretty interesting.

What did they have you do during the 6 month 'initiation' period? Mystic is a lot closer for me than Boston (well not really I guess but a lot more convenient) but it's good to know that they also have a dive program.

Thanks to everyone for the info and keep it coming if you feel inclined.

-- Matt

 

[warpig]

im interested in volunteering for mystic.

i just went there last week and the place is beautiful.

i think i'd flip my lid if they let me clean the shark or whale's tanks.

looks like i better get on the CPR certification