Volunteer
Volunteer with the Vancouver Maritime Museum
Meet new people and make a difference. Our community of volunteers help the museum in many ways, from supporting education programs to and assisting at special events.
Education Volunteers
Are you available Monday to Friday? We are always looking for energetic people who like working with children and are available weekdays to help with education programs. Our volunteers work with students in preschool to grade seven in programs that explore maritime themes including the working harbour, coastal exploration and boats of all types. Volunteers also help out with public programs that introduce maritime history, science and culture to people of all ages. Training is provided to all education volunteers.
Special Events
Special event volunteers help guests, give event info to the public and perform a variety of other duties during large special events like exhibition openings and festivals.
Interested?
Check out the current and upcoming opportunities below. If you’d like to sign up, complete the volunteer signup form on this page. After we receive your form, we’ll be in touch about next steps.
If you have questions, email volunteer@vanmaritime.com.
Current and Upcoming Opportunities
Birthday Party Assistant
We’re looking for energetic & outgoing people to help with special events, birthday parties and other weekend & evening programming.
What you'll do
Special events volunteers can do a range of tasks such as:
- greeting guests and checking tickets
- doing arts & crafts
- helping with setup and teardown of events
Birthday party volunteer duties include:
- doing crafts with children & families
- greeting and directing visitors
- helping birthday party staff
Training
All volunteers take part in volunteer orientation. Some events will require additional training.
Birthday party volunteers are trained in three kids’ tours:
- Legends of the Sea
- Pirates
- Amazing Arctic Animals
Your commitment
Special events volunteers should be available weekends or evenings. Birthday party volunteers should be available during the day on weekends.
- special event volunteers have variable shifts
- birthday party volunteers come in for 3 hours (2 hours for birthday party and .5 hours for set up and take down)
Why apply?
- have fun & meet new people
- get volunteer hours for school
- gain skills you can add to your resume
Qualifications
- energetic, enthusiastic and comfortable working with people of all ages
- must be at least 15 years old
- must be able to stand for three hours
- must be able to lift 20 lbs
- interested in history, maritime, Pacific and Arctic
- able to pass a background/police screening check
- must be willing/able to be vaccinated
Summer Camp Youth Volunteer Team
We’re looking for motivated, enthusiastic, and energetic youth (ages 16-30) to join our summer camp volunteer team.
What you'll do
Summer camp volunteers help present maritime-themed educational programs to day camp participants. You will help promote a love of the Pacific and Arctic Oceans through a fun blend of storytelling, games, crafts.
You’ll:
- assist Camp Counsellors for one week-long day camp in July or August
- commitment to volunteering for entire week preferred, but we will accommodate variable schedules
- assist with daily activities of camp attendees, ages 6 – 12 activities such as games, crafts and tours
- Assist with preparation and clean up
- Provide participants with a fun and memorable educational experience
Training
All volunteers take part in volunteer orientation.
Your commitment
Summer camp volunteers can sign up for a one-week commitment. The shifts are Monday to Friday, 8:45–4:15
Why apply?
- great for getting volunteer hours for school
- learn about the Arctic, sailors, mythical sea creatures and more
- get involved in your community
Qualifications
- background or interest in history, humanities, education, communications, fine arts. theater or museum studies
- experience with children ages 6–12
- enjoys preparing and participating in crafts, storytelling and games
- recent criminal record check (or a willingness to obtain one before start date)
- enjoys doing research and crafts
- willingness to work effectively and respectfully in a team
Docent or Education Volunteer
We’re looking for enthusiastic people to help lead school programs fpr children of all ages.
What you'll do
You’ll deliver educational programming based on the B.C. curriculum. The ideas you’ll share with young minds includes:
- How Arctic animals keep themselves warm
- What sailors ate – including hard tack
- How deep diving changed over time
Training
All volunteers take part in volunteer orientation. Docents are trained in each program before they deliver it to school groups.
Your commitment
Docent shifts are Monday to Friday during the day.
Why apply?
- the joy of seeing young people get excited about learning
- learn about the Arctic, sailors, mythical sea creatures and more
- get involved in your community
Qualifications
- able to work with children and youth
- comfortable leading groups, and standing for up to 3 hours
- interested in Canadian maritime history and in the Pacific and the Arctic regions
- able to pass a background/police screening check
Why volunteer at the VMM?
Our volunteers have joined us for many reasons, and each get something different from the experience.
“loved the subject matter. I retired after 44 years at sea in tugs, and salvage. I am interested in all things boats.”
“It was a summer volunteer position – I loved it, and it helped me get the job I have now.”
“I retired early, and wanted to keep busy. A colleague recommended the Maritime Museum”
Contact us
(604) 257-8300
info@vanmaritime.com
Hours
Tuesday - Sunday
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Statutory Holidays (excluding Christmas): 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Visit
1905 Ogden Ave.
Vancouver, BC
V6J 1A3
CRA# 119261147 RR0001