Volunteering at Columbia State Historic Park

Home to one of the best preserved Gold Rush mining towns in California, Columbia State Historic Park thrives on volunteer support. Volunteers serve vital roles both on the front line interacting with park visitors as well as behind the scenes in multiple support roles. Together volunteers work alongside park staff and serve as partners to provide a meaningful experience to visitors as they explore all that the park has to offer.

The volunteer program at Columbia State Historic Park encompasses a variety of opportunities both big and small. Some involve in depth interaction with park visitors to tell important stories of the parks’ past while others provide support services. There are positions that volunteer year-round as well as short term opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Columbia Docent Program provides the opportunity to become a living history volunteer known as a docent which forms the foundation for much of the park’s interpretive programs. Docents help support the park by working in the historic buildings, helping in the park museum/store, assisting with 4^th grade school programs, leading guided walks around the park and participating in park sponsored special events. Working alongside state park interpretive staff, docents help to provide the people power and skills needed to deliver many of the interpretive programs park visitors have come to expect and enjoy. The Columbia Docent Program is the largest and most robust volunteer program in the park.

In addition, the park coordinates three specialized docent-based programs: the Museum Volunteer Program, the Junior Docent Program and the Diggins Docent Program. All provide docent opportunities to specific audiences that may not be interested or qualify as a Columbia Docent.

To make sure docents in the park can reach their fullest potential, supporting volunteer programs have been created to assist docents. These include the Historic Clothing Resource Center, the Columbia Archive Program, and the Columbia Work Crew Program. Although none of these programs require individuals to be a docent, all provide direct support to docents working in the park.

Consider joining the Columbia State Historic Park team and enjoy the many benefits of becoming a volunteer with California State Parks.

Benefits of Volunteering

Passionate individuals become State Park volunteers for many reasons. Some choices are obvious, others are more personal. No matter what the reason, there are many benefits to becoming a Columbia State Historic Park volunteer.

• • Become part of the California State Park team.
  • Spend time in one of California’s most historic towns.
  • Help connect thousands of visitors each year to things you care about.
  • Take advantage of opportunities for ongoing education and training.
  • Earn year-round park passes to other California State Parks.
  • Access to the Docent Mercantile, a online park resources page only for volunteers.
  • Receive a 15% discount in the museum store.
  • Meet new people and make friends for a lifetime.

Expectations of Volunteering

Volunteer programs are based on a partnership between individuals and the park itself where both benefit from the relationship. Park staff are excited to support volunteers who are willing to donate their time and energy for Columbia State Historic Park. In return, there are some expectations of support to the park that are asked.

• Participate in required training program.
• Make a commitment to volunteer on a regular basis.
• Wear historic clothing or volunteer uniform if required.
• Attend volunteer meetings.
• Receive information and communicate via email.
• Log volunteer hours online regularly.
• Support the mission and goals of Columbia State Historic Park.