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Volunteer Opportunities

Why Volunteer? Volunteer benefits include:
Volunteers are a vital part of the Accokeek Foundation. Without this special group of dedicated people we would not be able to fulfill our mission: "to preserve, protect and foster, for scientific, educational and charitable use and study for the benefit of the people of the nation, the historical sites and relics, trees, plants and wildlife rapidly disappearing from an area of great natural beauty along the Maryland shore of the historic Potomac River."

Besides having fun, learning new skills, and meeting people with similar interests, volunteers are entitled to special benefits, including:

• Being a part of a fantastic Accokeek Foundation team
• Being involved in an environment of life-long learning
• Being a part of preserving Colonial history, living resources and agriculture
• Discounts on classes and workshops, and at the Museum Gift Shop
• Free admission to most programs
• Free parking
• Flexible schedule
• Access to The Accokeek Foundation quarterly newsletter
• Invitations to special events and lecture series
• Professional development, training, and work experience
• Complimentary one-year membership

All individuals, groups, and service-learning volunteers who are interested in volunteering should contact the volunteer coordinator at 301.283.2113 ext. 34 or by email at volunteers@accokeek.org for more information.

If you would like to become a volunteer, please download and complete the Volunteer Application and send it to us via email, fax, or mail.

Download the Volunteer Application
Download the Volunteer Brochure

Ways You Can Help

Whether you are interested in volunteering as an individual, part of a group or corporation, or a student seeking service-learning credit, the Accokeek Foundation provides volunteering opportunities for many interest areas.

Trails, Trees, and Shoreline The 5 miles of trails require regular maintenance. The Riparian Forest Buffer was planted with over 2000 trees by hundreds of volunteers. In early April, the Potomac River Watershed Cleanup at this site needs dozens of volunteers.

Bluebird Monitoring Each year, from March through August, volunteers take turns monitoring the nesting boxes on the Kenneth Otis Bluebird Trail. Volunteers are trained and oriented prior to the season, which includes a guided hike along the trail. Please wear closed-toe shoes and clothing appropriate for walking in tall grasses and on various terrains.

Agriculture and Gardening If your interests are more modern, there are volunteer opportunities at the Robert Ware Straus Ecosystem Farm, a modern certified organic farm. For those with historic interests, 18th century crops and gardens are grown on the Colonial site within the Museum Garden. Combining old and new, the Museum Garden is a learning experience where visitors can compare new and heirloom varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Heritage Textile Arts Stitch 'n Time is a volunteer-based textiles club where members enjoy learning about the cultivation of fleece, wool dying, and colonial textiles. Club members will use wool from the farm's heritage breed sheep to card, spin, and knit. The club is open to novice and expert spinners and knitters, as well as those handy with a sewing needle or sewing machine to make costumes for our interpreters.

Youth and Group Volunteers The Accokeek Foundation is an approved service-learning site with the Prince George's and Charles County school systems, offering volunteer opportunities for earned service-learning credit hours. Whether volunteering as an individual or within a group, students enjoy learning about history, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Volunteering is a great team-building activity. Corporate and civic organizations participate in group projects such as tree planting, shoreline and trail maintenance, as well as, special projects throughout the year.

Special Events Volunteer Volunteers are needed for the following annual events: Potomac River Watershed Cleanup (early April), Children's Day (April/May), African American Heritage Day (August), Colonial Day (October), Gorgeous Prince George's Day (October), Winter's Eve (December).