Volunteer Positions Available:

This video was sponsored by the Travel Penticton Society in 2024 and was created by Drake Richardson Creative Media.

Maintenance Volunteer

As a Volunteer Handy Person, you will play a key role in the restoration and repair work on the SS Sicamous and other ships at the Heritage Park. Your skills and experience will be invaluable as you contribute to preserving these historic vessels alongside our dedicated team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Assist with woodworking, mechanical, painting, and electrical tasks.

  • Attend maintenance committee meetings every couple of months.

  • Provide expertise, skills, and advice for various projects.

  • Support the planning of upcoming projects, including creating timelines and supply lists.

  • Help with general maintenance and cleaning.

Ideal Candidate:

  • Ability to work well under the direction of staff and crew.

  • A genuine interest in learning about and sharing knowledge of the ship.

  • Experience in a trade is a plus, though training will be provided for general labor tasks.

KVR Model Railway Volunteer

The KVR Model Railway Crew is an active and dedicated group that meets weekly on Tuesday evenings to collaborate, share knowledge, and maintain the railway. Members also ensure that visitors experience a scenic, interactive, and functional display during museum open hours. Our model railway spans over 700 square feet and includes several tracks, representing the actual path of the KVR Railway as it was in the early 1950s.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Welcome visitors and answer questions about the railway display.

  • Be willing to take responsibility for a 2-4 hour shift during open hours and fundraising events.

  • Have an interest in trains, electronics, display creation, or the history of the valley.

Ideal Candidate:

  • A strong interest in learning about the history of the Okanagan.

  • Enthusiasm for acquiring and sharing knowledge about the KVR Railway history.

  • Experience is a plus, but training will be provided for the care and maintenance of the railway.

Front Desk Volunteer

As a Museum/Gift Shop Volunteer, you will play a key role in engaging visitors, providing information about the SS Sicamous, assisting with tourism inquiries, and supporting general museum operations. You will also have the opportunity to help with office duties and lead guided tours for visitors. As a Front Desk Helper, you will be the first point of contact for guests, so your role in welcoming and creating a positive experience is vital.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Welcome visitors and deliver exceptional customer service.

  • Assist with tourism-related information and general inquiries.

  • Orient visitors to the ship’s admission policy and layout.

  • Answer incoming phone calls and direct them to the appropriate staff.

  • Ring in admissions, memberships, donations, event tickets and giftshop items on our Square tablet (user friendly with pictures etc).

Ideal Candidate:

  • A genuine interest in learning about the history of the Okanagan.

  • Enthusiasm for sharing knowledge about the ship.

  • Experience with gift shop operations or administrative tasks (e.g., using Microsoft Excel and Square Payment System) is an asset.

Tour Guide Volunteer

As a Museum Tour Guide, you will lead visitors on engaging and informative tours of our museum displays, sharing the history and stories behind our collection and ships. Your role will help enhance the visitor experience and provide valuable educational opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Lead guided tours for school groups, large tour groups and local tour companies, sharing knowledge of the museums displays and history.

  • Answer visitor questions and facilitate discussions.

  • Ensure a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for guests.

  • Assist with additional materials, such as brochures or maps.

  • Stay informed on displays and upcoming events.

Ideal Candidate:

  • Excellent communication and public speaking skills.

  • Passion for history and a willingness to share knowledge.

  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage with diverse audiences.

  • Previous experience in customer service, teaching, or public speaking is a plus, but not required.

If you enjoy engaging with people and sharing your passion for history, we’d love to have you on our team!

Fundraising Event Volunteer

We are looking for passionate and enthusiastic individuals to join our team as event volunteers! Volunteers will have the opportunity to contribute to the success of exciting and impactful events throughout the year. From helping with setup and registration to assisting with guest services and supporting event activities, our volunteers are essential to creating an enjoyable experience for attendees.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Assist with event setup and breakdown

  • Help with guest registration and check-in

  • Provide support during event activities and performances

  • Ensure guests have a positive experience by answering questions and providing information

  • Help maintain event flow and address any immediate needs or issues

  • Support the event team with various tasks as needed

If you’re a team player, enjoy meeting new people, and want to contribute to unforgettable events, this is a great opportunity for you!

Archive Volunteer

If you’re excited about helping preserve history and contributing to an important cultural resource, we’d love to have you on our volunteer team!

Are you passionate about history and preserving the past? We are looking for dedicated archive volunteers to assist with organizing and maintaining the artifacts and exhibits in our museum, alongside our curator.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Assist with the cataloging, organizing, and preserving historical artifacts.

  • Help with the management and maintenance of the museum’s collections.

  • Support the curator with research and exhibition development.

  • Provide assistance with the care of both physical and digital collections.

  • Help with the setup and teardown of museum displays for events.

  • Assist in creating educational materials and enhancing the visitor experience.

Ideal Candidate:

  • A passion for history and artifacts.

  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

  • Previous experience with archives or museums is a plus but not required.

Marine Engineer or Shipbuilding Volunteer

If you’re excited about contributing to the preservation of these iconic vessels and enjoy hands-on technical work, we’d love to have you on board as a volunteer!

Are you a retired marine engineer or shipbuilder with a passion for restoring historic vessels? We are looking for dedicated volunteers to join our team and work alongside our tug and maintenance crew to maintain and restore the CN #6 and a variety of historic lake boats in the park. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the local communities heritage vessels while helping to preserve their legacy.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Assist in maintaining and repairing engines, systems, and mechanical components with the tug crew.

  • Support routine maintenance tasks, including troubleshooting, cleaning, and repairing machinery and damaged wood.

  • Contribute to restoration and preservation efforts of the vessels.

  • Work closely with other volunteers and museum staff to ensure safe and efficient operations.

Ideal Candidate:

  • Background or interest in marine engineering, mechanics, shipbuilding, or a related field.

  • Hands-on experience with engines or mechanical systems is a plus but not required.

  • Experience with shipbuilding is a bonus but not required.

  • Strong problem-solving skills and keen attention to detail.

  • Willingness to work as part of a team and learn from experienced engineers.

  • Ability to work in a marine environment, including aboard historical vessels.