Volunteer

Program Overview

Welcome to Cabrillo National Monument’s Volunteers In Parks (VIP) Program—a diverse coalition of park stewards from all backgrounds who serve this park with their unique skills, dedicated time, and unparalleled passion. From swearing in Junior Rangers at the Visitor Center, monitoring native species of reptiles and amphibians, presenting programs in 16th century replica clothing, to removing invasive plant species, these volunteers all play a vital role in “preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”

In 2019, Cabrillo National Monument VIPs donated over 17,000 hours of service—equivalent to 8 full-time uniformed Park Rangers—across more than twenty different volunteer projects and roles. On June 25th, 2014, our VIP program received the prestigious George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 2013. Each year, the National Park Service recognizes exceptional efforts in volunteer management and service, and our park was selected out of 401 national parks across the country.

Types of Volunteerism

Cabrillo National Monument protects an abundance of natural and cultural resources, and the volunteer roles that accompany the protection and preservation of these resources are just as diverse. There are plenty of ways to get involved!

For one-time volunteering or service day opportunities, email us at cabr_volunteers@nps.gov. Explore some of the park’s most popular, recurring volunteer roles to learn more and find out how you can get involved:

Visitor Center Assistants: Help greet visitors, provide information, and assist with Junior Ranger programs.
Wildlife Monitors: Assist in the monitoring and protection of native species.
Historical Reenactors: Bring history to life by presenting programs in period clothing.
Invasive Species Removal: Help maintain the park's natural ecosystem by removing invasive plants.

Join us in making a difference at Cabrillo National Monument and become part of a dedicated team committed to preserving our national treasures for future generations.

VIP-Voice!

See what our Volunteers-in-Parks (VIPs) are up to! VIP-Voice is a blog site run by volunteers for volunteers to keep connected to the Cabrillo National Monument VIP community. It is not a federal website. This link does not imply endorsement of any opinions shared on the website. Explore stories, updates, and experiences shared by our dedicated volunteers and stay connected with the vibrant community at Cabrillo National Monument.

Contact Us/Get Started

Cabrillo National Monument is currently accepting volunteer applications. To inquire about volunteering, please email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov for more information and to apply for current and upcoming opportunities.

If you have any questions after reading through the volunteer webpages, please contact the Cabrillo National Monument Volunteer Office at (619) 523-4288 or email the volunteer office at cabr_volunteers@nps.gov. We look forward to welcoming you to our team and working together to preserve and enhance Cabrillo National Monument.