Acadia National Park was created by the individual efforts of people who loved this place and were motivated to care for it. Today, you can be a part of this legacy by volunteering for the park and with our partners at the Friends of Acadia and the Schoodic Institute. Whether you volunteer for a few hours, a few months, or year after year, you’ll see a new side of Acadia, feel a deeper connection to the park, and leave this national treasure a little better than you found it. Season-Long Volunteer OpportunitiesOur season-long volunteer opportunities range from artists-in-residence, campground hosts, education interns, visitor services assistants, interpretation volunteers, and bird migration monitoring volunteers. Though dates vary for individual positions, volunteer dates typically take place from May to October. The Artist-in-Residence program is dedicated to creating new ways for visitors to experience Acadia through the arts. In exchange for a two-week residency, artists lead one outreach presentation for the public, and donate within one year one work of art that depicts a fresh and innovative new perspective of the park for visitors that's drawn from their own experience. Three categories of applicants are considered: Visual Artists; Writers; and At-Large Participants working in such forms as music composition, performing arts, indigenous arts, and emerging technologies. Volunteer will help park staff with maintaining park campgrounds during the summer season. This includes providing information and orientation about the park and local area, assisting campers with registration, performing maintenance duties including painting, repairing picnic tables, operating a weed trimmer, cleaning campground grills and fire pits, and picking up litter. Occasionally, volunteers will be asked to assist with traffic control and emergency situations and may be asked to work after hours. Volunteer must posses their own recreational vehicle, be willing to volunteer 32 hours per week, be able to lift 30 lbs., and enjoy meeting, talking, and helping people from all over the world. Preference will be shown to volunteers avaiable to volunteer the whole season. Volunteer primary duties include, assisting park staff in presenting curriculum-based programs for K-12th grade students in accordance with established program themes and objectives. This involves researching related topics and park resources, working on projects as assigned, such as developing and distributing educational materials, props, handouts, student worksheets, and statistics, and answering visitors’ questions regarding park resources and education programs on a recurring basis. Visitor Services Volunteer will provide basic orientation and local area and event information to visitors in a pleasant and helpful manner. Volunteers will be asked to rove outside and interact with visitors throughout their shift. They may also be tasked with other small duties which may include light pruning, envelope stuffing, and traffic control for special events, administrative tasks, shelving books in the library, stocking maps and handouts, maintaining bulletin boards, and providing back-up help with use of special equipment – computers, laminators, printers and copy machines. Volunteer will present interpretive talks to the public about park natural and cultural resources. There may be other duties by mutual agreement. Volunteers agree to provide interpretation and informal interpretation following the guidelines and requirements provided by supervisors. Volunteers agree that all work will be coached and audited to ensure quality visitor service. This volunteer will assist with monitoring bird migration and species interactions (birds, insects, plants) from late August to late October. Volunteer will participate in field identification, including stationary as well as transect surveys of trails and/or established study areas as well as data collection and entry. The volunteer may occasionally be involved with banding and bird education programs. Short Term OpportunitiesShort term opportunities include drop-in days on trails, group service projects, and annual volunteer events such as National Trails Day and Take Pride In Acadia Day.Join the Trails & Carriage Road Stewardship Team cutting back overgrown vegetation, clearing drainage ditches, graveling, and much more! Arrive in work clothes, closed toed-shoes, and have a backpack with water and a snack with you, and our Stewardship Staff and Volunteer Crew Leaders provide the rest. Do you have a group that is interested in doing a service project here at Acadia? We can offer half-day, full day, or multi-day experiences. Contact the Friends of Acadia Stewardship Coordinator or call (207)288-3934. Celebrate National Trails Day at Acadia National Park! Come for light refreshments and an opportunity to participate in trail maintenance or join a guided trail walk. Contact the Friends of Acadia Stewardship Coordinator or call (207)288-3934. Want to be a part of the largest volunteer event of the year? Register for Take Pride in Acadia Day and help us put the carriage roads to bed. Current Volunteer OpportunitiesHow To ApplyMost season-long position will be posted August 1st - 20th on volunteer.gov . For short-term opportunities, take note of the dates mentioned in the above position descriptions.
Volunteer ApplicationVolunteer Service Application - Natural and Cultural ResourcesContact UsContact the park volunteer coordinator at: Acadia National Park |
Last updated: January 11, 2023