Volunteer Programs

Thank you for your interest in the
McCormick Foundation Volunteer Program

Whether looking to volunteer one time for a special event, or on an on-going basis within one of our departments, there are a variety of opportunities to fit anyone’s skills, interests and availability. The Volunteer Program enables persons with an interest in McCormick Foundation activities, who do not wish the commitment of employment, to share their time and talents on a voluntary basis.

What are the requirements?

Dedication- to the mission of the McCormick Foundation: Advancing the ideals of a free, democratic society by investing in children, communities and country.
Open-Mindedness and Patience- to work with a diverse public and staff.
Integrity- to represent the McCormick Foundation and oneself with the highest standards.
Desire- to share your passion, knowledge and time with others.
Reliability- to commit to the minimum number of hours required by your position.
Must be at least 16 years old

Why volunteer?

Benefits of the McCormick Foundation Volunteer Program include:

Learning new skills particular to each department (i.e., public speaking, antiques preservation, plant care).
A sense of accomplishment and pride knowing that your participation directly impacts our visitors.
Widening your social network by sharing your interests with like-minded individuals.
Free parking at Cantigny, any time the park is open.
Free admittance to concerts, the Fine Arts Festival, Shakespeare in the Park, Auto Show, and other special events throughout the year.
A 10% discount at the Visitors Center Gift Shop and the Cantigny Golf Pro Shop.
Invitations to the Annual Spring Kick-off Dinner and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
An invitation to the Cantigny Staff Picnic in August.
Free golf as a guest of a full-time Cantigny employee.
Awards for 100, 300, 500 and 1,000 hours+ of work.

How do I get started?

After reviewing the opportunity descriptions below, you may download and print an application by clicking on Volunteer Application (for an on-going position) or Special Event Volunteer Application (for a one time/special event position).

Application Download:

After completing the application, please mail or fax it to:

Cantigny
Volunteer Coordinator
1 s 151 Winfield Road
Wheaton, IL 60187

Fax 630 260 8160

Once your application is received, it will be reviewed and passed on to the appropriate department’s director. If you apply for opportunities in multiple departments, your application will first be given to the department with the greatest need. The department director will contact you and arrange for a convenient time to meet one on one to discuss the opportunities further and complete the application process. On-the-job training and supervision is provided for all volunteer positions.

If you should have any questions regarding the McCormick Foundation Volunteer Program please call or email Jennifer Benton, Education and Volunteer Coordinator.

Phone 630 260 8232

Email volunteer@cantigny.org

What opportunities are available?
Please note some opportunities are currently full.

Greenhouse/Nursery

Timeframe: Year round, requires a four-hour shift per week, minimum commitment

Positions and Duties:

Greenhouse/Nursery Assistant: Assist growers in the greenhouse and nursery area—transplanting, grooming plants, re-arranging/moving plants to indoor/outdoor areas, etc. (full)

Floral/Craft Assistant: Harvest and dry plant material, assist in creation of items for display and gift shop sales, transplanting and grooming plants for sales/events, assist Floral Designer in set-up of building displays. (full)

Interior Plant Maintenance Assistant: Prepare plants/arrangements for display, assist Floral Designer in transporting plants and display materials to various estate buildings, maintenance of those items (watering, grooming, retrieve and dispose of spent plant materials). (full)

Gardens

Timeframe: Typically, April through October, requires a four-hour shift, per week minimum commitment. Summer help accepted.

Positions and Duties:

Garden Assistant: Possibilities include—working in the Rose Garden, Idea Garden, the Fountain, Scallop, Dryland, and Rock Gardens and Gold Pond area (both working with annuals and perennials). Assist the supervisor in planting/transplanting, weeding, watering, and grooming plants.

Formal Gardens Docent: Lead groups (up to 20 people) of visitors on various tours of the gardens. Answer questions posed by visitors. (This position is on an on-call basis.)

Idea Garden Weekend Docent: Positioned in the Idea Garden to answer questions posed by visitors, ranging from general park information to specific plant information. (Sat and/or Sun 1:00-4:00 pm)

Prairie Garden/Savannah Garden Assistant: Assist with the installation and maintenance of the new prairie area. Sow, seed, plant seedlings and plants, weed and tend to the needs of this landscape.

Inventory Assistant: Map and inventory our woody plant material (trees and shrubs) and record data in a computer database, as instructed by our Foresters.

Garden Photographer: Photograph specific plants and take general interest shots throughout the gardens and seasons. Download photographs onto provided CDs and submit in a timely manner. Photos may be submitted for Cantigny use and to various publications for stock photo use. Amateur and professional photographers welcome.

Robert R. McCormick Museum

Timeframe: March through December, requires a two - four hour shift, per week minimum commitment

Positions and Duties:

Tour Greeter: Assist docents by greeting visitors, answering visitor questions, and providing tour introductions to prepare visitors for regular tours. Function as initial point of visitor contact to the museum, greeting visitors and offering information regarding scheduled tours. (4 hours/week)

Docent: Through historic room displays, lead various tours throughout the former Cantigny home of Robert R. McCormick. Assist fellow docents in managing large groups and aid the Tour Coordinator with orientating visitors to the museum and Cantigny. (3 hours/week)

Collections Care: Aid museum staff in tracking, protecting and preserving McCormick Museum artifacts. Perform a range of duties such as conducting inventories, cataloguing artifacts, data entry and object dusting. (2 hours/week)

Visitors Center

Positions and Duties:

Information Kiosk

Timeframe: February through December, requires a four-hour shift, per week minimum commitment.

Greet all visitors entering the Visitors Center. Share general park information and respond to questions regarding Cantigny’s history and park events. Information Kiosk volunteers serve as Cantigny’s ambassadors to the public.

Courtesy Tram Driver

Timeframe: Typically April through October, requires a four-hour shift, per week minimum commitment.

Provide transportation to visitors throughout the estate, utilizing and operating a courtesy tram. Respond to visitor questions regarding the park. Courtesy Tram Driver volunteers must be 21 years of age or older, have a valid Illinois driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Educational Programs Assistant

Timeframe: One to three times per month, March through December, typically evenings and weekends.

Assist Education Coordinator and Cantigny staff with a variety of educational programs. Programs are generally geared for children ranging in age from 5-12 and occur both indoors and outdoors. Class themes include art, manners, tea parties, nature, plants and history. Programs typically last 2 hours and occur after school or on weekends.

Special Event Volunteer

One time events, February through December, typically evenings and weekends.

Special Event Volunteers make events at Cantigny possible! Special Event Volunteers are responsible for a wide variety of duties during large events at Cantigny. Special event volunteering is the ideal opportunity for individuals who would like to get involved with Cantigny, but have limited time. Special Event Volunteers would be provided free parking on the day of the event and access to the park and museums before and/or after the event. (Other volunteer benefits, as listed above, do not apply to Special Event Volunteers) Interested individuals must complete and return the Special Event Volunteer Application Form. Each volunteer’s information will be entered into an on call list and will be notified, well in advance, of each Special Event and invited to volunteer.

First Division Museum

Timeframe: Year round, requires a four-hour shift, per week minimum commitment.

Positions and Duties:

Lobby Greeter: Greet visitors in the lobby, explain how to navigate the museum and answer questions.

School Tour Guides: Lead school groups, ages 4^th – 12^th grades on 45 minutes tours of the museum, mostly during the school year.

Vehicle Volunteer: Assist in the restoration of historic military vehicles and participate in living history displays and area parades. Interact with the public and answer questions regarding vehicle and military history. (Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, plus special events.)

Artifact Aide: Assist in identifying, photographing, cataloguing and storing artifacts in the museum’s holdings. (full)

Research Assistant: Assist in filling research requests and assist patrons with general research in the McCormick Research Center. (full)

Archives Assistant: Assist the archivist in processing donated collections. (full)

Library Assistant: Assist in book inventory as well as day-to-day operations such as shelving books, stamping books for withdrawal and filing catalog cards. (full)