Volunteer: Holidays Around the World Docent (2025-2026 School Year)As a Docent you will lead a group of students through the Holidays Around the World program. For details including the school name, grade level, and number of students, click here. What to expect: - presenting in our exhibit areas about the specified topic (training materials provided) - dressing in period accurate clothing to encourage an immersive atmosphere (Costume pieces provided) - speaking and standing or sitting for duration of presentation time - arrive 15 minutes prior to shift start time to get set-up for the school group - presenting the program for one or more student groups throughout the shift time Program: Field Trips & Tours As a Docent you will lead a group of students through the Holidays Around the World program. For details including the school name, grade level, and number of students, click here. What to expect: - presenting in our exhibit areas about the specified topic (training materials provided) - dressing in period accurate clothing to encourage an immersive atmosphere (Costume pieces provided) - speaking and standing or sitting for duration of presentation time - arrive 15 minutes prior to shift start time to get set-up for the school group - presenting the program for one or more student groups throughout the shift time Program: Field Trips & Tours Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Pioneer Life Docent (2025-2026 School Year)As a Docent you will lead a group of students through the Pioneer Life program. For details including the school name, grade level, and number of students, click here. What to expect: - presenting in our exhibit areas about the specified topic (training materials provided) - dressing in period accurate clothing to encourage an immersive atmosphere (Costume pieces provided) - speaking and standing or sitting for duration of presentation time - arrive 15 minutes prior to shift start time to get set-up for the school group - presenting the program for one or more student groups throughout the shift time Program: Field Trips & Tours As a Docent you will lead a group of students through the Pioneer Life program. For details including the school name, grade level, and number of students, click here. What to expect: - presenting in our exhibit areas about the specified topic (training materials provided) - dressing in period accurate clothing to encourage an immersive atmosphere (Costume pieces provided) - speaking and standing or sitting for duration of presentation time - arrive 15 minutes prior to shift start time to get set-up for the school group - presenting the program for one or more student groups throughout the shift time Program: Field Trips & Tours Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Craft Table Attendant (Family Nights with Santa)Help man the craft station for our Tuesday evenings with Santa at the musuem. Will be responsible for helping keep craft materials stocked and cleaning the craft space periodically. Program: Christmas at Union Station Help man the craft station for our Tuesday evenings with Santa at the musuem. Will be responsible for helping keep craft materials stocked and cleaning the craft space periodically. Program: Christmas at Union Station Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Mission TableOur new Mission Table is meant to be an inviting and informational space dedicated to sharing our museum with visitors. Brochures, handouts, activities, photo archive examples, event signage, and other promotional materials will be displayed in the Great Hall near the Admissions Desk. Volunteers who sign up are expected to have a general understanding of the museum's mission, history, and community offerings. Program: Time Travelers (Visitor Engagement) Our new Mission Table is meant to be an inviting and informational space dedicated to sharing our museum with visitors. Brochures, handouts, activities, photo archive examples, event signage, and other promotional materials will be displayed in the Great Hall near the Admissions Desk. Volunteers who sign up are expected to have a general understanding of the museum's mission, history, and community offerings. Program: Time Travelers (Visitor Engagement) Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: General Christmas at Union Station Event FloaterHelp serve as a general floater during CUS events. Greet guests, provide directions, help with performer check in, help with food if any is in Swanson, etc. Program: Christmas at Union Station Help serve as a general floater during CUS events. Greet guests, provide directions, help with performer check in, help with food if any is in Swanson, etc. Program: Christmas at Union Station Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Santa Bag StuffingHelp us prepare Santa's gifts for his visitors this Christmas season! Will involve putting together small gift bags for our elves to hand out to Santa's guests for the duration of the Christmas season at the museum. Program: Christmas at Union Station Help us prepare Santa's gifts for his visitors this Christmas season! Will involve putting together small gift bags for our elves to hand out to Santa's guests for the duration of the Christmas season at the museum. Program: Christmas at Union Station Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Daily Activities- What is it WednesdayWhat is it Wednesday - This Daily Activity shift is from 10:00 – 12:00. What to Expect: - familiarize yourself with an artifact from our collections (information sheets provided) - interact with visitors as they arrive and give them information on what the object is and some brief history - keep count of visitor interactions for data collection - assist in directing visitors to our exhibits level after they have arrived Program: Time Travelers (Visitor Engagement) What is it Wednesday - This Daily Activity shift is from 10:00 – 12:00. What to Expect: - familiarize yourself with an artifact from our collections (information sheets provided) - interact with visitors as they arrive and give them information on what the object is and some brief history - keep count of visitor interactions for data collection - assist in directing visitors to our exhibits level after they have arrived Program: Time Travelers (Visitor Engagement) Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Native American Life Docent (2025-2026 School Year)As a Docent you will lead a group of students through the Native American Life program. For details including the school name, grade level, and number of students, click here. What to expect: - presenting in our exhibit areas about the specified topic (training materials provided) - dressing in period accurate clothing to encourage an immersive atmosphere (Costume pieces provided) - speaking and standing or sitting for duration of presentation time - arrive 15 minutes prior to shift start time to get set-up for the school group - presenting the program for one or more student groups throughout the shift time Program: Field Trips & Tours As a Docent you will lead a group of students through the Native American Life program. For details including the school name, grade level, and number of students, click here. What to expect: - presenting in our exhibit areas about the specified topic (training materials provided) - dressing in period accurate clothing to encourage an immersive atmosphere (Costume pieces provided) - speaking and standing or sitting for duration of presentation time - arrive 15 minutes prior to shift start time to get set-up for the school group - presenting the program for one or more student groups throughout the shift time Program: Field Trips & Tours Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Permanent Gallery GuideResponsibilities Greet and interact with museum guests, providing wayfinding assistance as needed Answer questions about the exhibits and/or the museum (training and content provided) Ensure guests are following museum guidelines and safety practices, alerting staff if assistance is needed Keep exhibit interactive and materials organizedAlert museum staff of needed repairs/issues Program: Time Travelers (Visitor Engagement) Responsibilities Greet and interact with museum guests, providing wayfinding assistance as needed Answer questions about the exhibits and/or the museum (training and content provided) Ensure guests are following museum guidelines and safety practices, alerting staff if assistance is needed Keep exhibit interactive and materials organizedAlert museum staff of needed repairs/issues Program: Time Travelers (Visitor Engagement) Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Christmas Season Log Cabin DocentEngage with guests in our Christmas-themed log cabin, providing them information on what the Christmas season was like in the later 1800s and early 1900s. Information will be provided to those who are interested. Program: Christmas at Union Station Engage with guests in our Christmas-themed log cabin, providing them information on what the Christmas season was like in the later 1800s and early 1900s. Information will be provided to those who are interested. Program: Christmas at Union Station Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Noon Years Bag StuffingHelp us put together the gift bags for our guests that come to our Noon-Years-Eve celebration here at the museum! Program: Christmas at Union Station Help us put together the gift bags for our guests that come to our Noon-Years-Eve celebration here at the museum! Program: Christmas at Union Station Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Sports Trivia Table AttendantHelp facilitate a sports-themed trivia PowerPoint for museum guests on Saturdays. Interact with and engage with museum guests interested in the trivia opportunity. Program: Depot Engineers (Special Events) Help facilitate a sports-themed trivia PowerPoint for museum guests on Saturdays. Interact with and engage with museum guests interested in the trivia opportunity. Program: Depot Engineers (Special Events) Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Special Educational Programming (River City History Tours, Unique Field Trips, Public Tours, etc.)These are unique educational programs that live outside of a normal field trip/recurring program. Program: Field Trips & Tours These are unique educational programs that live outside of a normal field trip/recurring program. Program: Field Trips & Tours Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Noon Years Eve Goodie Bag TableDistribute our Noon Years goodie bags to guests as they enter the museum. There will be a table with chairs for seating. Program: Christmas at Union Station Distribute our Noon Years goodie bags to guests as they enter the museum. There will be a table with chairs for seating. Program: Christmas at Union Station Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Noon Years Eve Craft StationWork with guests on a variety of fun and engaging handmade crafts. Program: Christmas at Union Station Work with guests on a variety of fun and engaging handmade crafts. Program: Christmas at Union Station Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Noon Years Eve Beverage TableHelp sell drinks (of the carbonated variety) to guests dring our Noon Years Eve celebration. Program: Christmas at Union Station Help sell drinks (of the carbonated variety) to guests dring our Noon Years Eve celebration. Program: Christmas at Union Station Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Noon Years Eve Scavenger Hunt TableHelp manage a scavenger table for Noon Years Eve, giving guests hints if needed and distributing rewards on completion. Program: Depot Engineers (Special Events) Help manage a scavenger table for Noon Years Eve, giving guests hints if needed and distributing rewards on completion. Program: Depot Engineers (Special Events) Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Monthly Museum MailingsWe meet on the second Wednesday of every month to stuff envelopes and send out our most recent membership communications. Support our membership program by helping us send renewal letters and other important information.
Duration depends on the amount of mail and how many volunteers arrive in the morning but typically last 2 hours. When you arrive sign-in on the check-in kiosk and proceed to the Library, unless otherwise noted in an email from a Durham staff member.
We appreciate your time and help! Program: Conductors (Behind the Scenes) We meet on the second Wednesday of every month to stuff envelopes and send out our most recent membership communications. Support our membership program by helping us send renewal letters and other important information.
Duration depends on the amount of mail and how many volunteers arrive in the morning but typically last 2 hours. When you arrive sign-in on the check-in kiosk and proceed to the Library, unless otherwise noted in an email from a Durham staff member.
We appreciate your time and help! Program: Conductors (Behind the Scenes) Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Multiple Shifts Available Zip Code: 68108 Allow Groups: No |