Volunteer

Volunteer with the TBHC
The History Center is looking for energetic and committed volunteers to help create a great experience for visitors or provide much needed behind-the-scenes support. Volunteers learn new skills, work with motivated people who share common interests, and help visitors of all ages connect with the past. If you have an interest in history and want to share your enthusiasm and talents, we encourage you to apply to become a volunteer.
Summer Camp Counselor
TBHC is looking for friendly and responsible high school teens ages 15+ to help with this
year’s History Adventure Camps. Counselors will obtain volunteer hours while working
with small groups of kids in a fun and informal learning environment. Gain experience
working under instructor leadership and with museum staff. Teens must commit to a
full week of volunteering.
Teen Council
Application Deadline for 2018-19: April 27
TBHC Teen Council members create and plan events and programs with other local
teens and museum staff. Along with hosting teen events, members assist museum staff
with public and special TBHC events. Teen Council also teams up with other teen
organizations from local institutions. Teen Council meets twice a month on Wednesday
evenings for an hour and a half. A 3-day orientation session will be held in August for
the 2018-19 year.
Education Volunteer
History-loving teens can volunteer to help with special projects in the Education
Department. These projects can range from helping research for upcoming ventures or
working with staff to create new programming for TBHC. Teen volunteers must be
available at least two weekday afternoons a month.
Proccess:
1. Click on the “How to Apply” tab above to submit your volunteer application. Applications and subsequent correspondence must be completed by the teen applying rather than a parent or guardian.
2. Teens must also submit a recommendation letter from a non-relative adult. Teachers, mentors, employers, etc. are all accepted. Recommendation letters should be sent to Amanda Hoffman, Youth and Family Programs Coordinator, at ahoffman@tampabayhistorycenter.org
Volunteers in the TBHC collections department have the opportunity to assist with the inventory, processing and cataloging of documents, photographs and objects in a hands-on work environment. Common tasks include cataloging artifacts, data entry, basic photography, organizing records, research and writing, and other specialized duties.
Collections volunteers should have a keen interest in history, museum studies, public history, anthropology, archaeology, library sciences, American studies, or a related field. Training is provided. Previous museum, archival, or library experience is helpful, but not required.
Collections volunteer opportunities are dependent on project and space availability. Volunteers must be available at least one day per week, Monday-Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. There are a limited number of college internships available which are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
If you have questions about an internship or volunteering, please contact Heather Culligan, Registrar, at hculligan@tampabayhistorycenter.org. All potential collections volunteers must fill out a volunteer application to be considered.
To join our volunteer team, we ask that you meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 15 years of age. (Teens must submit a letter of recommendation)
- Submit a volunteer application.
- Complete an interview and orientation.
- Pay a one-time enrollment fee of $40, which covers a mandatory criminal background screening. (Camp counselors must instead complete a DCF mandated, fingerprint-required background check for approximately $45.)
After joining the team, volunteers must participate in required training sessions, which vary by department. Once training is completed, volunteers must serve at least 6 hours per month to maintain active status.
BENEFITS
In addition to the personal and social rewards of volunteering, History Center volunteers enjoy numerous benefits including free parking while volunteering, on-going learning opportunities, appreciation events and program discounts.
HOW TO APPLY
Fill out the volunteer application at the link below. After you submit your application, a TBHC staff member will contact you to arrange for an interview.
For general volunteer information and for adult volunteers, contact Nancy Dalence, Curator of Education, at ndalence@tampabayhistorycenter.org or 813-675-8983.
For all teen volunteer and Teen Council information, contact Amanda Hoffman, Youth and Family Programs Coordinator, at ahoffman@tampabayhistorycenter.org, or 813-675-8987.

801 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602