Volunteer
Youth Volunteers I Adult Volunteers
National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week, celebrated April 21-27 is a time to applaud people doing extraordinary things through service. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week draws the support of the president and congress, governors, mayors and municipal leaders, as well as corporate and community groups across the country. The entire staff of Conner Prairie wants to recognize the efforts of our extraordinary groups of adult and youth volunteers, for the time they donate to help make Conner Prairie one of the country’s most respected history museums. We couldn’t do what we do without the help from the more than 350 adult volunteers, and 100 youth who collectively donated 37,000 hours in 2012. Whether helping in the gardens, as costumed interpreters, in the animal barn, for special events, group and school tours, in the Conner Prairie Store or any of the number of other jobs they perform, each and every hour counts. Thank you Conner Prairie volunteers!
Volunteers are a vital part of Conner Prairie’s success as a groundbreaking institution. By donating your time and talent, you help Conner Prairie build toward an exciting future. We offer volunteer opportunities that are mutually beneficial to you and the museum.
Benefits
Join in the fun and become a Conner Prairie volunteer! Help with special events and festivals, in the Conner Prairie Store, be a group or school tour greeter, a gardener in our historic areas and much more. Shifts are available weekdays, weekends and evenings. For more information, contact Jody Thomas, 776-6000 or jthomas@connerprairie.org.
(Ages 18 and older)
Meet new friends, experience a unique look at history and become part of the exceptional Conner Prairie experience. Explore different ways you can volunteer your time and abilities below.
If you are interested in applying to become an Adult Volunteer:
Complete an online application or download an application form.
Please note: this application is for adult volunteers only. If you are interested in becoming a youth volunteer, please refer to the Youth Volunteer section further down on this page.
Contact Jody Thomas at 317.776.6000 ext. 264 for more information.
(For those under the age of 17, refer to the bottom of the page for youth volunteer opportunities.)
Here is a list of possible opportunities:
• Special Events & Programs
Lend a hand with a variety of tasks at special events and programs like Headless Horseman, Civil War Days, Follow the North Star, Symphony on the Prairie and more.
• Conner Prairie Store
Assist guests making purchase selections, operate the cash register, organize displays and stock merchandise.
• Group Greeters (April–October)
Welcome tour leaders and groups when they arrive at Conner Prairie, provide directional information, answer basic questions and escort them to begin their tours.
• School Tours (April–June, September–November)
Greet and check-in school tours; provide maps and other information to teachers and group leaders.
• Historic Trades
Assist woodworkers with behind-the-scenes restorations and reproductions. Previous woodworking experience necessary.
• Gardener (March–November)
Assist staff with planting, harvesting and maintaining gardens in the historic areas. Opportunities are available to discuss and explain the historic gardens to guests too.
• Costumed Interpreter
Volunteer alongside staff in the historic areas. Receive the same intensive training as paid staff. Flexible hours. Interview & training required. Limited availability.
• Grounds Greeter
Share your love of history by volunteering in one of the historic areas on the grounds. Offer an enthusiastic greeting, answer questions and give directions as guests travel to another time.
• Clerical Support & Mailings
Assist with a variety of tasks in all departments that may include monthly mailings, data entry, filing and general office support as needed.
• Textiles/ Sewing Guild
Help create reproduction clothing & home furnishings. Sewing, weaving or knitting skills necessary.
(Ages 10–17 or current high school student)
The application period for the 2013 season is now closed.
Youth volunteer applications will be accepted in late 2013 for next year.
Learning is the primary focus of Conner Prairie’s youth volunteer program. We aim to give talented young people the opportunity to become even better through Conner Prairie's enriching environment. If you are passionate about Conner Prairie, love speaking to people and enjoy the rewards of old-fashioned sweat and effort, this program may be for you! Youth volunteers work
in the following ways:
- Interact with the public in modern clothing
- Portray costumed characters
- Do behind-the-scenes work
- Attend training sessions about Indiana history, guest service, and 19th-century period skills
Fun Youth Volunteer Facts:
Hours donated by youth in 2012: 19,942
100 youth in program
Average age of youth: 13.9
Youngest Youth: 10
Oldest Youth: 18
Minimum Hours donated per year: 120
Most Hours ever donated by a youth in a single year: 1003
About 1/3 of the youth are homeschooled
Over ¼ of the youth participate on our Youth Spinning Team
Shortest commute to Conner Prairie: ¼ mile (across the street)
Longest commute to Conner Prairie: 7,106 miles (Bahrain)
Favorite program as voted on by the youth: Headless Horseman
If you have questions about the program, please contact Sarah Morin, Youth Experience Manager, at Morin@connerprairie.org or call 317.776.6000 ext. 259.