Youth Ocean Advocates use their time, talents, and passion to conserve our marine environment. Discover the variety of ways you can become involved as a Youth Ocean Advocate at the Seattle Aquarium!
The Seattle Aquarium is looking for passionate young people who have an interest in learning about the ocean and will work to inspire others to take conservation action.
As a Youth Ocean Advocate, you will:
- Learn about the marine environment, conservation and advocacy techniques.
- Teach the public about the marine environment and its inhabitants, as well as about actions people can take to protect the ocean—by educating Aquarium visitors and creating content for our social media campaign.
- Participate in conservation projects like beach cleanups, tree plantings and community science.
- And so much more!
If accepted as a Youth Ocean Advocate, you’ll join a group of over 140 teen volunteers from across the Puget Sound region. The initial volunteer commitment will be for either a school year or a summer.
School-year volunteers participate in a minimum of three volunteer activities each month. Summer volunteers complete a minimum of 20 volunteer activities over the course of the summer. Volunteer activities vary in length from three to five hours.
After completing your initial volunteer commitment, you may choose to remain a Youth Ocean Advocate volunteer until the summer after your senior year in high school.
Interested in the high school Youth Ocean Advocates program?
Applications for the 2024–25 school year session are currently closed. Check back later for information on the summer 2025 session!
Requirements and Orientation
Youth Ocean Advocates must be enrolled in grades 9–12 in a high school, Running Start, GED or homeschool program at the time of application.
We have a limited number of positions to fill each school year and summer. Potential Youth Ocean Advocates must attend one of our orientation sessions. After you attend the online orientation, you’ll receive an application to fill out and return to the Aquarium. We’ll select individuals from the applicant pool to interview for the program. The Aquarium selects Youth Ocean Advocates based on each applicant’s interview performance and application.
Training
Accepted applicants are required to attend an initial training series before beginning their volunteer shifts. Training will consist of five dates (two in person and three online) totaling around 20 hours. Accepted applicants will be able to choose their preferred training dates. Training dates and information will be discussed during the orientation session.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the high school volunteer program at the Seattle Aquarium, don’t hesitate to contact our staff at YOA@seattleaquarium.org.
