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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Volunteer Resources

Visitor Center Volunteer

Join the C&O Canal Visitor Center Volunteer Staff and be the catalyst for great visitor experiences! Volunteers at the C&O Canal Visitor Centers welcome thousands of park visitors every year and provide invaluable information regarding the park’s historical, natural and recreational resources.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Maintain visitor center operations
  • Direct visitor center calls and providing information to the public
  • Operate the cash register and stock the small bookstore/sales area
  • Assist with special events and programming

Skills/Training Recommended: Each volunteer will receive an orientation to the Visitor Center and visitor services. CPR Certification preferred but not required. Throughout the year park staff, provide opportunities for volunteer trainings, i.e. Bike Safety, Interpretation Training, etc. Please notify the park supervisor if you are interested in participating.

Georgetown

Have excellent people skills, a love for the Canal, and knowledge of the DC area? Then join us as a volunteer at the Georgetown Visitor Center!

The Georgetown Visitor Center gets very high visitation, many international visitors and will be an interesting place to work in the park. In addition to the visitor desk on the 1st floor, there are interpretive exhibits on the 2nd floor that visitors are able to explore.

Contact Ranger Rebecca Jameson, 301-767-3709 or rebecca_jameson@nps.gov

Great Falls Tavern

The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Ideally, a minimum of 6 hours per week on a regularly scheduled day is requested, but time requirements may be flexible depending on volunteer’s availability. Training and uniform shirt provided.

Great Falls Tavern Address/Contact Information: The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center is located at 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854. If you are interested in joining the Great Falls Tavern Staff, please contact Ranger Rebecca Jameson at (301) 767-3709 or by email at rebecca_jameson@nps.gov.

Brunswick

The Brunswick Visitor Center is open Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. February through December. Volunteer shifts are flexible to accommodate any schedule.  All shifts are currently available. Volunteer shirts provided.

Brunswick Address/Contact Information: The C&O Canal NHP Brunswick Visitor Center is located at 40 West Potomac Street, Brunswick, MD 21716. If you are interested in joining the Brunswick Volunteer Staff, please contact Park Ranger Lisa Dittman at (301) 582-0813 or by email at lisa_dittman@nps.gov

Ferry Hill

Open May 19th to September 23, the recently renovated Ferry Hill Place is in need of volunteers seven days a week, hours are flexible (8:30-12:30, 12:30-4:30, 10-2, 11-3)

Duties include answering questions/providing information regarding the house, exhibits, and the park, operating the cash register and helping with bookstore sales.

Please contact Lisa Dittman for more information: (301) 582-0813 or lisa_dittman@nps.gov.

Williamsport

Positions are available year-round and are flexible to accommodate any schedule.  Volunteer shifts currently available include 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Volunteer shirts provided.

Williamsport Address/Contact Information: The C&O Canal NHP Williamsport Visitor Center is located at 205 W. Potomac Street, Williamsport, MD 21795. If you are interested in joining the Williamsport Volunteer Staff, please contact Park Ranger Lisa Dittman at (301) 582-0813 or by email at lisa_dittman@nps.gov

Hancock

The Hancock Visitor Center is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday-Tuesday, Memorial Day weekend through October. Volunteer shifts are flexible to accommodate any schedule.  Shifts currently available include 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Volunteer shirts provided.

Hancock Address/Contact Information: The C&O Canal NHP Hancock Visitor Center is located in Hancock, Maryland. If you are interested in joining the Hancock Volunteer Staff, please contact Park Ranger Rita Knox at (301)-722-8226 or by email at rita_knox@nps.gov

Cumberland

Positions are available year-round and are flexible to accommodate any schedule.  Volunteer shifts currently available include 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Volunteer shirts provided.

Cumberland Address/Contact Information: The C&O Canal NHP Cumberland Visitor Center is located at 13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD 21502. If you are interested in joining the Cumberland Volunteer Staff, please contact Park Ranger Rita Knox at (301)-722-8226 or by email at rita_knox@nps.gov