• A section of the bowsprint and figurehead on the bow of BALCLUTHA.

    San Francisco Maritime

    National Historical Park California

Volunteer

Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP)

As a volunteer at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, you will not only stay active and involved, you will have the chance to teach others and learn new skills! Help present the natural and cultural resources of the nation's only 'floating' national park to a diverse visitor population, and help preserve these unique resources for future generations.

The VIP office welcomes back all our old friends and welcomes aboard our new friends. VIPs are here to support all the activities in the park from ship preservation to cleaning up the shoreline along Aquatic Park beach.

This year we are expanding visitors' opportunities to experience the trades and crafts of old-time San Francisco. VIP projects this year will include fishnet mending, canvas work and bookbinding.

If you are interested in learning about these crafts and/or have skills that you would like to volunteer, please contact Terry Dorman or Erin Nhaminerva in the Volunteer Office, located on Hyde Street Pier, at 415-561-7160 or by email.

Click on this link for America's Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal.


VIPs are involved in almost every aspect of the park's operation:

· Ships Maintenance
· Exhibit Construction
· Interpretation & Education
· Graphic Arts
· Steam Engineering
· Sailing
· Music
· Historic Documents

Remember - no matter what your background - we encourage everyone to volunteer in San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Share your skills. Your contribution matters and you can make a difference! Call today: 415-561-7160.

Volunteer Today and Become a Member of Our Team!

To Volunteer, Follow this Link:
Current Volunteer & Internship Opportunities

Are you interested in volunteering at other national parks? Please click here for information.

 
Park volunteers working on two small wooden boats on Hyde Street Pier.
Park volunteers help keep the park's small craft shipshape.
NPS
  • Park Volunteer David Curtiss Park Volunteer David Curtiss

    An article by Park Volunteer David Curtiss about working in the visitor center. Read More

  • Volunteering is fun Volunteering is fun

    Volunteering on Hyde Street Pier Read More

  • Monthly Chantey Sing Monthly Chantey Sing

    Free sing-along on a historic ship Read More

  • How to help How to help

    Volunteering, donating, joining, internships, and Read More

Did You Know?

Three sailors posing and the man on the left is holding a small dog.

Animals once served as important members of a ship's crew. Even though many of them worked to control pests or provide food, their main function was to serve as ship's mascot. The dogs, cats, birds, monkeys, and even bear cubs that went to sea as mascots, can often be seen in formal crew portraits. More...