The C&O Canal Trust is the official non-profit partner of the C&O Canal National Historical Park and works in partnership with the National Park Service to protect, restore, and promote the canal. The Trust seeks to ensure the Park’s  natural, historical, and recreational potential is fully realized.

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Canal Boat Volunteers

Any canal boat volunteer will tell you that nothing is more fun than working a canal boat. The park’s primary interpretive program is the operation of a full-sized canal boat for the public. The boat is located at Great Falls Tavern in Potomac, Md. The boat is a fun and educational way for the park visitors to learn about the resources of the canal. Volunteers are trained by park staff in the various jobs needed to run the boat. They are also provided with period clothing that is worn while working on the boats. Volunteers are needed for any combination of the following: Working with and caring for the park’s mules, general preparation of the boat, steering the boat, working the lift locks, giving programs, playing music, and routine maintenance.

Recruitment will begin early spring 2013 - Contact emily_hewitt@nps.gov for more information.