Special Events Volunteer Corps

Apply today on Volunteer.gov!

National Capital Parks-East (NACE) is recruiting Special Events Volunteer Corps members to support special events and programs across a variety of historic and park sites.

Corps members will work multiple events per year to gain experience and work seamlessly with National Park Service (NPS) staff to plan and execute high quality events for the public. Consider being part of the team!

Reasons to Join the Team

• Be part of fun events and special programs
• Gain knowledge of local NPS sites
• Meet new people and give back to the community
• Gain special events experience and build up your resume
• Flexible scheduling

Minimum Requirements

• Complete a Volunteer Service Agreement form
• Attend a short training session
• Agree to volunteer a minimum of 40 hours per year (5 or 6 events)

Event Volunteer Roles Event Preparation (occurs prior to the event, not day-of):

• Assist with planning – this may be on-going and occur months in advance
• Spread word of the event through various communications and publicity strategies
• Assemble event kits or materials i.e., stuff goody bags a few days prior to an event
• Organize event gear
• Organize and install signage
• Make confirmation calls

Event Set-up (typically occurs a few hours before the event starts):

• Set up event gear (chairs, tables, signage, trash cans, tents, etc.)
• Setup activities or stations
• Organize materials
• Greet exhibitors or presenters and assist with setup

Working the Event (sample list):

• Customer Service: staff event welcome stations, visitor centers, or bag check stations
• Maintenance Support: assist with event maintenance, maintain water stations, clean up trash, etc.
• Parking Support: direct cars, maintain organization
• Volunteer Lead: guide, direct, and orient other volunteers, answer questions
• Stage Security: monitor the area, ensure only those authorized access the stage, communicate any disturbances, etc.
• Stage Support: setup the stage, assist performers with their equipment, etc.
• Lead or assist programs or activities (i.e. support an arts & crafts table, distribute Junior Ranger materials)
• Assist Park Rangers with activities
• Take event photos

Post Event

• Clean up trash
• Take down and put gear away
• Organize materials
• Participate in “after action” tasks

Sample of Events

Fort Dupont Park Summer Event Series: 2022 marks the 50^th anniversary of this free concert series which runs on Saturday nights for around 6 weeks in July and August. Concert setup will begin in the afternoon before the show which begins around sunset and lasts until 10:00 pm. The audience size may exceed 15,000 people per show.

Annual Birthday Celebrations: Birthday Celebrations occur annually at the Carter G. Woodson, Frederick Douglass, and Mary McCloud Bethune National Historic Sites. The celebrations generally include a formal ceremony, tours, guest speakers, and children’s activities occurring over the course of one or two days.

Lotus and Water Lily Festival: This event was formerly a two-day festival that attracted around 13,000 people. Two stages were utilized for a variety of music, cultural, and educational programs, talks, kid’s activities, art activities, etc. The festival is transitioning to a new setup in 2022 and will now include smaller activities spread out over the month of July.

Late Skates: The Friends of Anacostia Park and National Park Service are hosting one Late Skate event per month from June thru October at the Anacostia Skating Pavilion. Each event will run from 1pm – 10pm, attract around 250 people per event, and require assistance with skate rental distribution and hands-on activities.

Frederick Douglass Egg Hunt and Oxon Hill Farm Eggstravaganza: Each event is a four-hour family-oriented program with egg themed activities such as games, crafts, egg or scavenger hunts, chicken programs, storytelling, ranger programs, etc. The recent Oxon Hill event received 415 visitors.

How it Works
All volunteers will receive an emailed list of volunteer event opportunities occurring within the forthcoming two months i.e., opportunities occurring in July & August will be sent out in June. Volunteers will then respond with their preferences and availability by a given deadline and a schedule will be sent out. Detailed information or briefing packages will be sent out shortly before an event to properly prepare volunteers for their assignment.

Main Point of Contact: [e-mail]

Apply today on Volunteer.gov!