SOAR Guide for Butterfly Pavilion

The SOAR Guide volunteer role is part of the sixth annual SOAR Tropical Butterflies exhibit at South Coast Botanic Garden, an immersive and interactive experience that showcases hundreds of tropical butterflies in a vibrant, open-air pavilion. Within this lush environment, butterflies move freely among tropical plants, fruit trays, and guests, creating a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with nature. The exhibit also includes an Emergence Chamber, where visitors can observe pupae in their chrysalis or cocoon stage as they prepare to emerge into adult butterflies or moths. Volunteers play an important role in supporting staff with the daily operations of both the pavilion and the overall SOAR experience, helping ensure a welcoming, educational, and engaging environment for all guests.

For this year’s program, all prospective SOAR Guides are required to attend a training session in order to qualify for volunteering. These trainings are designed to prepare volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively support the exhibit and interact with visitors. A pass/fail system has been introduced, requiring participants to complete a quiz following the training; those who achieve a passing score will be eligible to begin volunteering in the pavilion. Volunteers who do not pass on their first attempt are encouraged to attend a future training session and try again. Training sessions are offered monthly during the first half of the exhibit’s run, please check the calendar for upcoming dates.

To help create a consistent and rewarding experience for both guests and volunteers, we kindly ask that all SOAR Guides commit to signing up for at least 10 shifts throughout the duration of the exhibit. This commitment allows volunteers to build confidence in their role, deepen their connection to the program, and contribute meaningfully to the overall success of the SOAR experience.