San Francisco users can login to download this file.

Masters Thesis

Igniting the spark: the use of teenage volunteers in museums

Teen volunteers can play a very useful role in museums, but the programs that manage them must be well-organized and created with teen needs in mind. This thesis examines both why and how teenagers can increase the value of a museum's volunteer program. Case studies conducted at three different science-based museums in the San Francisco Bay area, together with an informal survey of teenage volunteer programs in a range of museums in California, provide an indication of what elements are necessary for a successful teenage volunteer program. It is concluded that successful teen programs in museums possess strong mentorship opportunities, constantly evaluate themselves, and demonstrate an awareness of legal issues involved with youth. Finally, a set of guidelines is suggested for developing a successful teenage volunteer program.

Relationships

In Collection:

Items in ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.