Volunteer

"I'm always proud to say that I volunteer at Fredericksburg. We put the visitors first and always greet them with a smile. We answer their questions and help guide them--but we don't tell them what they have to do. We are always willing to take the extra time to research a visitor's ancestor. I volunteer because I was raised to give back to the community, and I love getting a visitor interested in the Civil War or making a child excited to be here."

- VIP Elizabeth Shaw

The Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park consists of an enthusiastic, diverse group of people who share their time with a place they love. The park offers a variety of experiences for its volunteer staff designed around the needs and interests of the volunteers. Some participate once a year in a special event, while others volunteer once a week all year long. Still others stay in the park for several months working a 40-hour work week. Some volunteers are seeking employment or are preparing to enter the work force, some are retired individuals who wish to give something back to a cause they consider to be worthwhile.

Apply to be a Volunteer

All volunteer opportunities and applications are managed through Volunteer.gov. Current opportunities are listed below. Email us if you have questions about volunteer opportunities.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

There are no volunteer opportunities at this time.

To view more NPS volunteer opportunities, go to www.nps.gov/volunteer or www.volunteer.gov.

Volunteer Stories

Showing results 1-10 of 11

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Volunteer Spotlight: Bob Gauvin
- Locations: Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
After traveling the world with the U.S. Coast Guard, Bob Gauvin retired his sea-legs and settled in Spotsylvania County. For the past five years, he’s spent his Wednesday mornings waking up early to care for the lawn and handle general maintenance at Ellwood– part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Volunteer Spotlight: Carol Frye
- Locations: Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
As the Director of Projects for the Friends of Chatham, Carol plays a vital role in supporting the maintenance of Chatham’s beautiful gardens.
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Di Salvo
- Locations: Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
For the past four years, Mike has shared his expertise as a dedicated volunteer at Chatham Gardens.
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Volunteer Spotlight: Peter Hedrich and Mike Hendrick Keep Trails Alive
- Locations: Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Meet Peter and Mike, trail workers and members of our PATC volunteer crew who help keep our trails in shape for everyone who visits the park.
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Redding
- Locations: Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Meet Mike Redding, one of our invaluable interpretive volunteers. A retired engineer and Civil War history buff from North Carolina, Mike lights up our park with his warm smile and fun facts.
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Volunteer Spotlight: Tom Jacobs
- Locations: Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
We’re beyond lucky to have Tom Jacobs leading our Ellwood Volunteer Ground Force! Starting nearly 10 years ago as a volunteer, Tom's unwavering dedication has left a lasting impact on our park. From managing seasonal garden care to leading massive projects, Tom’s hard work and dedication have made a lasting impact on Ellwood.
Volunteer Story: The SCA Dream Team Leaves Their Mark at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP
- Locations: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, Stones River National Battlefield
For three short weeks, a remarkable team of Student Conservation Association (SCA) interns brought their skills, teamwork, and boundless energy to Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park.
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Volunteer Spotlight: Manon Dixon and AJ Muralidhar
- Locations: Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Both Manon and AJ embody the spirit of our volunteer community—dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate about making the world a little greener. We're so grateful for their contributions to the beauty and history of Chatham!
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Volunteer Spotlight: John Schmiedeke
- Locations: Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Two years ago, John Schmiedeke began his journey as a National Park Service volunteer, dedicating his time to a unique and meaningful project: cleaning the headstones in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Volunteer Spotlight: Steve Morin
- Locations: Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Since 2016, Steve has been a beloved part of our team, making the trip to our park several times a week simply because he loves the work of interpretation so much.