Skip to main content

Volunteer with PHS

Make a meaningful difference in your community while connecting people with plants. No experience required – PHS provides the training and support you need to get involved and make an impact!

Volunteers are at the Heart of PHS

Volunteers bring their time, talents, and enthusiasm to help create beautiful, healthy, and sustainable communities. With opportunities available throughout the year, you can find meaningful ways to contribute while connecting with people who share your passion for plants and community. From community gardens and public landscapes to tree plantings and the Flower Show, there are many ways to get involved. Join thousands of PHS volunteers and discover how your time and energy can make a difference across the region. 

General Volunteer FAQ

VolunteerHub is the online platform PHS uses to share volunteer opportunities and manage thousands of volunteers each year. To get started, create a free VolunteerHub account to browse available opportunities and register for a PHS volunteer shift. 

No, you do not need to be a PHS member to volunteer. PHS offers a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year, and anyone interested in participating can create a free VolunteerHub account to browse available opportunities and register for a volunteer shift. 

Most PHS volunteer opportunities are open to individuals ages 8 and older. VolunteerHub asks for your age so we can determine whether you need to complete additional waivers or be accompanied by an adult, guardian, or group leader while volunteering. 

All PHS volunteers are required to complete the “PHS Volunteer Waiver.” This waiver includes PHS’s Media Rights –permission for PHS to use your name, likeness, voice, and biographical information in promotions and a COVID-19 Assumption of Risk, Waiver, and Indemnification.  We also have a PHS Code of Conduct for all Volunteers. This document creates clear boundaries and expectations for all PHS volunteers. It will be on VolunteerHub and require all volunteers to acknowledge this once a year.   

We encourage volunteers to participate as often as they like. For the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, we recommend volunteering for two or more shifts so that you become familiar with the role and the venue to make the most of your experience. 

No. The information you provide through VolunteerHub serves as your volunteer application. Some specialized roles require specific experience or expertise and may have additional qualifications. For example, Plant Expert volunteers at the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show need a strong knowledge of plants and gardening best practices. If you have horticultural expertise and are interested in a specialized volunteer role, please contact volunteer@pennhort.org to learn about available opportunities. 

Some  volunteer roles require additional experience or training and are not listed on the main VolunteerHub page. Returning volunteers who are eligible for these roles will receive an email in the fall with information about how to sign up. If you believe you should have received an email but did not, check your spam folder or contact volunteer@pennhort.org for assistance. 

Yes. What you should wear depends on your volunteer role and location. At PHS headquarters and some events, business casual attire is appropriate. For garden and outdoor volunteer opportunities, wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with laces and long pants, jeans, or mid-length shorts. Flip-flops and sandals are not appropriate. If you are volunteering at the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, we recommend dressing in layers, as temperatures can vary throughout the Show. 

PHS celebrates and recognizes volunteers throughout their experience. Volunteers may receive invitations to special PHS events and, as they deepen their involvement, may have opportunities to serve on PHS Philadelphia Flower Show committees or take on other volunteer leadership roles. 

Yes! PHS offers volunteer opportunities with a range of physical requirements throughout the year, including seated positions at the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show. Seated Flower Show positions are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, and all Flower Show volunteers are welcome to take breaks as needed.  

For year-round opportunities, our volunteer team can help identify roles that may be a good fit for your needs. Please contact volunteer@pennhort.org to learn more.
 

Flower Show Volunteer FAQ

Flower Show shifts will be announced soon for the 2027 Show. 

No. Free parking is not provided for volunteers, but there are a variety of parking options available near the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Click here for more information. 

Yes, please fill out this form: Interest Form   

We are happy to welcome volunteers as young as 14 to the Flower Show! Volunteers ages 14–15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Volunteers ages 16–17 may volunteer independently with a parent or guardian’s acknowledgment of the required PHS waiver during registration. 

No. Volunteers receive a wristband when they check in for their shift onsite, which provides admission to the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show for that day. Volunteers arriving from Jefferson Station should proceed to the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s West Entrance at 12th and Arch Streets to access the Volunteer Lounge.  

No. However, we will have masks on-site for volunteers who would like one.

Yes. All PHS Philadelphia Flower Show volunteers are required to complete general training, which includes a prerecorded virtual training video and the Volunteer Handbook. Some specialized volunteer roles require additional training, which may include in-person or virtual sessions and additional materials. Volunteers in these roles will receive specific training instructions in advance. 

We recommend bringing only what you need and keeping personal belongings with you whenever possible, as secure storage may not be available at all volunteer locations. For PHS Philadelphia Flower Show volunteers, unattended coat racks are available, but belongings are not monitored. 

Most PHS volunteer shifts are approximately three hours long. 

Yes. If you would like to volunteer with a friend, each person should register individually for the same shift and time slot through VolunteerHub. For group volunteer opportunities, please have your group leader contact volunteer@pennhort.org for assistance with coordinating your group. 

The Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center is accessible to visitors with disabilities. The Convention Center is a fully accessible venue from street level, as well as from public transportation channels.

Please know that there can be many guests, bright colors, and loud sounds throughout the Show floor. The PA Convention Center has a sensory-friendly space to provide our neurodivergent guests and staff with a calming and controlled sensory-focused environment to help regulate emotions, reduce stress, and create a therapeutic experience. The room features soft lighting, various comfortable seating options, and other sensory tools and aids. The room is located on the 100-level in Room 101A and will be available during the run of the Flower Show.

PHS values all our guests with several types of accommodation needs, and service animals are welcomed and permitted at the Show. The Flower Show welcomes ADA Title III service animals.

Mobility equipment will be available for rent at the Show. Reservations for mobility equipment are highly recommended at the time you purchase your Flower Show tickets to ensure availability. Due to high demand, there may be limited mobility equipment availability for walk-ups and same-day reservations. Place your reservation here.
 

There are no public parking garages attached to the Convention Center; however, there are several accessible parking garages and lots nearby. 

Yes! Here are a few benefits to volunteering at the Flower Show:

– Earn volunteer hour credits
– PHS Volunteer Swag
– Invite to the Annual Volunteer – Thank You Party (held in late summer/early fall)
– Wristband (that acts like a ticket) on the day you volunteer – see the entire Show before or after your shift (depending on your shift time)!
– Access the Volunteer Lounge to eat, take a break, hang your coat, and leave your belongings (PHS is not responsible for any lost or missing items).
– All Flower Show volunteers will receive 1 ticket if they do 2 shifts or more, and then 1 additional ticket if they do 4 shifts or more. The maximum each volunteer can get is 2 tickets.

Volunteers are welcome to bring lunch and snacks to the Flower Show. There is no refrigerator available, so we recommend an insulated lunch box. No rolling coolers are allowed on the premises. Volunteers can sit, relax, and enjoy their lunch/snacks in our Volunteer Lounge in room 107AB either before, during for a quick break, or after their shift.  Food options are also available in the Convention Center as well right outside the Convention Center. The restaurants closest to the Volunteer Lounge are Maggiano’s, the Reading Terminal, Panera Bread, and Tom’s Dim Sum to name a few. Note that Flower Show guests do tend to dine close to the Convention Center, so lunch time waits can be longer than normal at the venues closer to the Show. 

Yes. On the day of your shift, you are welcome to enjoy the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show during public Show hours before or after you volunteer. Before entering the Show, check in at the Volunteer Lounge to receive your volunteer wristband, which serves as your admission for the day.