Children's National Volunteer Program

The Children’s National Volunteer Program is the primary program of the Volunteer Services Department. All Children’s National volunteers commit to one regular volunteer assignment based on interest, availability and need. The minimum time commitment for all volunteer assignments will be once per week for one year. Shifts will range from 2-4 hours, depending on the specific volunteer assignment. All volunteer assignments in this program take place at the main hospital on Michigan Avenue NW.

Volunteer Opportunities

Explore our volunteer opportunities at our Main and Extended Campus.

Hospitality

Hospitality volunteers are directly supervised by Volunteer Services Coordinators, and provide hospitality-based support in several areas of the hospital, including outpatient clinics, the Emergency Department, inpatient units and the Volunteer Services office. Weekly duties for volunteers include:

Greeting visitors at our welcome desk 
Assisting families and visitors with wayfinding    
Delivering flowers, packages, toys, and clothing  
Rounding with the hospitality cart on inpatient units 
Rounding with the caregiver coffee cart in outpatient areas  
Rounding in atrium and family waiting rooms 
Rounding up wagons and wheelchairs  
Providing administrative and organizational support

Hospitality volunteers must be 15 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours.

Seacrest Studios

Seacrest Studios volunteers are directly supervised by the Seacrest Studios Media Specialists. These volunteers will help spread joy to patients by engaging and assisting with games, activities, special events, and more in the studio. Duties of Seacrest Studios volunteers include:

Engaging in games and activities with patients in the studio
Collecting and distributing prizes to patients
Assisting with celebrity visits and other special events
Assisting Seacrest Studios staff with additional programmatic or administrative duties
Must be 18+ and commit to a weekly shift of two to three hours

Tutor

Volunteer tutors are directly supervised by the hospital’s Education Specialists. Volunteers assist patients with academics/schoolwork and offer educational enrichment opportunities for kids of all ages. Duties of volunteer tutors include:

Assisting patients with school assignments
Providing enrichment activities to patients
Assisting patients at bedside to log in to virtual learning platforms
Providing a brief summary/report of each session to program supervisors
Assisting Education Specialist staff with additional programmatic or administrative duties

Volunteer tutors must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two to three volunteer hours.

Canine Courier

Canine Courier volunteers are directly supervised by the Animal Visitation program coordinator. Duties of canine courier volunteers include:

Assisting and escorting pet visitation teams to outpatient and inpatient areas
Remaining with the pet visitation team for the duration of their volunteer shift
Assisting with additional programs and special events

Canine Courier volunteers must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours.

Unit Based Volunteers

Unit Based volunteers are assigned to one specific unit/department at the hospital, and report directly to the Child Life Specialist(s) and nursing staff on their assigned unit. Weekly volunteer duties include:

Visiting with patients and engaging in play activities at the bedside
Escorting patients to events (Seacrest Studios, Healing Garden, playrooms)
Cleaning and organizing playroom toys
Restocking unit clothing closets

Unit based volunteers must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours for at least one year. If a unit based volunteer would like to increase their shift to three hours, they can assist with hospitality support for this additional hour of volunteer service.

*Volunteers currently in school to pursue a career in Child Life may be eligible to increase their weekly shift to four hours. If you are interested in learning more about other Child Life Training Programs, please visit our main Child Life Services webpage.

Healing Garden

Healing Garden volunteers are directly supervised by the Activity Coordinators who manage all Healing Garden activities and events. Volunteers will assist with programmatic, administrative and special events in the outdoor Healing Garden, playrooms and other identified program spaces. Duties of volunteers include:

Assisting with craft and activity tables for programs and events
Assisting with registration and/or refreshment tables for programs and events
Playing Dr. Bear or Dr. Bear’s handler at events
Performing as costume characters for events
Providing support for playroom activities hosted by the Healing Garden
Assisting Activity Coordinators with additional programmatic or administrative duties

Healing Garden Volunteers must be 15 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two to three volunteer hours.

Family Resource Center

Resource Center volunteers are directly supervised by the Family Library & Resource Center Coordinator. Duties of volunteers include:

Maintaining the library space and ensure it is a clean, welcoming space for patients and families
Interacting with patients, families and visitors in the Family Resource Center in a friendly and professional manner
Assisting with special events, activities and projects
Reading to patients at bedside (Bedside Readers only)
Running the Book Cart in outpatient and inpatient areas
Assisting Family Resource Center staff with additional programmatic or administrative duties

Family Resource Center volunteers must be 15 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours.

Science Journeys Volunteer

Explore Our Volunteer Program

What are the onboarding requirements for volunteers?

All Children’s National Volunteers are required to complete:

Online application – open Aug. 6 – Aug. 15
Professional reference – due within five days of application submission
Interview (by invitation only) – Aug. 27 – Sept. 8
Medical clearance through Occupational Health – due Oct. 2
Online background check – due Oct. 6
Final onboarding requirements deadline – Oct. 8
Mandatory onsite training – Sat., Oct. 11
Assigned volunteer shift begins – Week of Oct. 13
Additional online orientations and trainings as needed

What are the current openings in the Volunteer Program?

Our applications for Fall 2025 recruitment are now closed. Please check back here in late January 2026 for more information regarding Spring and Summer 2026 recruitment.

Apply to the Main Campus Apply to the Extended Campus