Volunteer

VIPs help tell the story of a fateful day in August to an education group.

NPS Photo

Whether you're looking for service hours, want to give back to the community, or looking to make a difference, there are many volunteer opportunities for you at Wilson's Creek.

Regular Volunteers

Follow the links to learn even more or apply to volunteer today to be a regular volunteer-in-park (VIP) at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. Regular volunteers work in positions that need support throughout the year and work with the volunteer coordinator or a volunteer supervisor to set a schedule.

• Interpretation and Education Volunteeers support the park and help tell its stories to the public.

  • As living historians, these volunteers present small arms and artillery demonstrations and give tours of the historic Ray House in reproduction period clothing.

  • They also lead tours of Bloody Hill, the Ray House and caravan tours of the battlefield in modern or period clothing.

• Front Desk Assistants help Wilson's Creek and Eastern National staff orient visitors to the battlefield, operate the park's film, and assist with customer service duties at the visitor center.

• Library and Collections Assistant Volunteers (not actively recruiting) work with the photograph, slide, museum and library collections.

• Trail Pickets (not actively recruiting) help orient other visitors to the battlefield informally and keep an eye out for damage to trails including downed limbs and washed out areas.

• Living History Sewing Volunteers help repair, mend, and sew basic living history clothing for use in our interpretive and educational programs.

• Proofreader-Editor Volunteers (not actively recruiting) assist virtually or in-person with improving publications and other public facing materials including web pages and social media.

• Photography Volunteers contributing your high-quality photographs to the help Wilson's Creek National Battlefield staff increase the quality of our digital communications and publications.

Other volunteers (not actively recruiting) have provided support to the Administration and Maintenance Divisions of the park.

Event Volunteers

The park is also seeking individuals, families and groups to assist with Park Day in April, Star Party in October, and the Memorial Luminary event in November. These are typically one-day commitments.

Park Day Volunteers participate in the clean-up of the creek and other areas of the battlefield. This event is held on a Saturday in the spring and is sponsored by the American Battlefield Trust.

Star Party Volunteers (recruitment opens in the summer) assist during our annual astronomy event in early fall. As a VIP, you may assist with parking, activities, and set-up/teardown.

Memorial Luminary Volunteers (recruitment opens after Labor Day) help in a variety of ways to support our annual Memorial Luminary held the weekend after Veterans Day. From checking batteries to removing garbage to guiding tours during the event.

Long-Term Volunteers

• Visitor Services Assistants staff the visitor center information desk and Ray House and aid park staff during special events like the annual star party, memorial luminary, and during the school season. This volunteer may also help with interpretation and education programs including living history, black powder demonstrations, and K-12 education programming depending on interest and skills. 32 hours per week required. Housing support may be offered.

For further information on the Volunteers-in-Parks program at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, contact the park volunteer coordinator:

Clayton Hanson
Park Ranger
5242 S. State Hwy ZZ
Republic, MO 65738
[phone], ext. 249

 

Current Volunteer Opportunities