• Image of swamp, bayou, and marsh

    Jean Lafitte

    National Historical Park and Preserve Louisiana

Volunteer

Upcoming special volunteer projects:

  • BioBlitz at the Barataria Preserve, Marrero, on May 17 and 18
  • Memorial Day at Chalmette National Cemetery, Chalmette, on May 24 and 28

No matter what your skills or interests, there's probably a place for you in the VIP (Volunteer In Parks) program at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Current Jean Lafitte VIP projects include

  • Helping with programs for children and adults
  • Music and craft demonstrations
  • Teaching Cajun dancing
  • Working behind the scenes or as a living history reenactor during the annual Battle of New Orleans commemoration
  • Carpentry and landscaping projects
  • Working with the park library and museum collections
  • Trail maintenance
  • Assisting with visitor center operations
 

For more information, call the site where you would like to work (see park home page for site list) or e-mail the park. Your volunteer job may require training, which will be provided by the park, and uniforms may be provided for long-term volunteers.

To find out what's new with Jean Lafitte's crew, keep in touch via park social media.

Project days which require little training and a minimum time commitment are regularly scheduled at some Jean Lafitte sites. Volunteers might help staff a park booth at a festival, dig out invasive plants, or take photographs during an event. Group projects can also be arranged (for group project inspiration, read about the summer 2012 volunteer projects by members of the 2012 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Youth Gathering here).

Jean Lafitte volunteers make a difference every day: in 2012, over 1,200 volunteers donated over 18,000 hours of work (and had lots of fun doing it!).

Equal Opportunity Policy: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Park and Preserve is committed to a strong nondiscrimination policy respecting its employees and volunteers. Its policy is to provide equal opportunities for all and to eliminate discrimination based on sex (including sexual harassment and sexual orientation), race, color, national origin, religion, age, and disability.

 

Current Volunteer Opportunities

 

Did You Know?

A Water Moccasin swims through the bayou.

The cottonmouth or water moccasin can warn you of its dangerous bite in many ways. It releases a musky odor and opens its mouth wide to show you its white mouth and fangs. Show respect for snakes and all wildlife and always keep a safe distance away.