Student Volunteer Opportunities

Research Projects (temporarily suspended)

Oak Bay Archives holds the official records of the municipality dating back to incorporation in 1906. Records include council minutes, building permits, assessment rolls, police logbooks, house plans, maps, and photographs that provide a local perspective on world events and social change in the 20th century.  We would be happy to work with students to develop a research project that would result in greater public access to our records through description, digitization, transcription, website design, etc.  Please contact Anna Sander at asander@oakbay.ca to discuss.

The Hallmark Heritage Society would welcome volunteers for any number of interesting tasks.

The hours are very flexible, with week-day or weekend times available to suit the society and the volunteer.

The volunteer site would be at the historic Craigflower Schoolhouse, 2755 Admirals Road, Victoria, BC.

We also need volunteers to create and edit web pages utilizing the world's most popular website management system, WordPress. Work online from home or in our office. No code required. We will instruct on how to use WordPress. The student can control the hours and the schedules.

Other tasks may include the transcription of newspaper articles of historic interest so that they may be added to our website. Research on the history of the Craigflower site and the history of the Greater Victoria area, and the architectural history of the buildings of Greater Victoria, such tasks as may be necessary for the ongoing maintenance of the Craigflower Schoolhouse, and library duties to our small book collection.

Volunteers can contact the office at office@hallmarkheritagesociety.ca or by message at 250-382-4755.

Saanich Heritage Foundation (SHF) is looking for a volunteer to help with our Social Media pages.  We post stories about historic buildings, architects and families in Saanich. We are looking for someone to post twice a week on Facebook and Instagram and possibly other platforms. 

Please contact Veronica McEllister at vsmcellister@gmail.com .

The Maritime Museum of BC represents a rich and vast link to the province’s legal and nautical roots. It is also home to three significant sailboats − Dorothy, Trekka and Tilikum − each with their own incredible story of adventure and enchantment. The Museum cares for more than 35,000 unique artifacts, in excess of 40,000 historical photographs and an internationally recognized chart collection. As well, the Museum delivers popular educational outreach programs geared to children and seniors featuring topics such as immigration, pirates and privateers, women at sea, and the fur trade.

Please contact us at info@mmbc.bc.ca if you are interested in volunteering with us.

Visitor Centre

• We have positions open for volunteers to help with our ongoing weekly schedule throughout the year. Both weekday and weekend positions are available.
• Museum knowledge and /or an interest in maritime history an asset, but not essential.
• Outgoing visitor service skills an asset – ability to meet and greet visitors, give a general interpretation about the museum and answer questions about programs and events.
• Good telephone manner – answer telephone and direct calls.
• Operate a cash register and point of sale experience.
• Training is provided.

Public Educator

The Maritime Museum of BC is committed to ensuring its artifact collection continues to be accessible to our community, schools and public through outreach programming. We are looking for volunteers with a background in research and public speaking to develop and deliver historical presentations using our artifact collection.

• This is a great opportunity to get involved with community, to do fascinating research, learn and share our maritime history and current events, and meet inspiring people.
• Applicants should be aware of the time commitment for the development process and availability for scheduled program. Development may vary depending on the level of research required. Program delivery is typically scheduled in blocks of 3 hours.
• Our library, archives and collections would be accessible for research purposes and staff will provide direction and support.

Craft Workshops

Volunteer openings to facilitate maritime related craft workshops, on Saturdays, for kids and adults, 1.5 for class, 2 hours for volunteer. Previous workshops include:

• Nautical Knot Tying Workshop – mariners knots, knots for kids, seasonal wreath workshops
• Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
• Shell and Driftwood Mobiles

Craigdarroch Castle is a definitively Victorian experience. It is a shining example of a “bonanza castle” — massive houses built for entrepreneurs who became wealthy during the industrial age. In this case, the industrialist was Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune from Vancouver Island coal.

This legendary Victorian mansion, built between 1887 and 1890 on a hill overlooking the City of Victoria, announced to the world that Robert Dunsmuir was the richest and most important man in Western Canada.

He died in 1889, leaving his entire estate to his wife Joan, who lived in the Castle until her death in 1908.

The immense fortune of the Dunsmuir family is reflected in the four floors of exquisite stained glass windows, intricate woodwork and fabulous Victorian-era furnishings.

Our volunteers act as docents (informal tour guides) and move around the castle in different positions sharing information with guests, acting as stewards and protecting our artifacts.

We normally ask our volunteers for a six month, once per week minimum commitment (our shifts are 4 hours long, am or pm and stay the same each week). There is flexibility for missed days and vacations after a probationary period.

Please contact the Operations and Development Manager, Toby Stubbs at tstubbs@thecastle.ca and submit the application form. Or you can call him at 250-592-5323 for more information. 

Come be a part of Victoria's history!

Interested UVic history student volunteer(s) can visit the District of Central Saanich heritage website - https://www.centralsaanich.ca/our-community/history/heritage-sites (scroll down to Newman Farm).

They can also view various articles and communiques about the revitalization of the Farm by visiting the FLT Society website at www.farmlandstrust.org.

Positioned overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway, Point Ellice House is among the oldest homes in Victoria and was constructed between 1861 and 1862 for Catherine and Charles Wallace. The house was home to the O'Reilly family for 108 years (1867 to 1975). Point Ellice House is part of a larger story about Victoria and British Columbia. From First Nations occupation and early Settlers on Vancouver Island, to the families and the work of Settler colonialism, Point Ellice House, its collection, and gardens can tell many stories. We are seeking volunteers who are committed to helping visitors understand this history and the importance of truth and reconciliation. 

Volunteers are team members working alongside paid staff and other volunteers to fulfill the Vancouver Island Local History Society’s mission and vision, and are central to operations at Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens. Whether it’s through gardening and helping out with special events, or by engaging the public inside the house, volunteers create memorable experiences for visitors to this special place. Positions include:

• Interpretive Volunteer
• Garden Volunteer
• Research & Collections Volunteer
• All volunteers have the opportunity to assist with special events

For more information about volunteering or co-op placements, please visit PointElliceHouse.com/Volunteer-at-Point-Ellice-House

The KidStart program is a free to access volunteer mentorship program, in which volunteers are matched with a youth aged 6–17 and spend one-on-one time with them weekly, doing fun and engaging activities in our community. The youth in our program are at risk because their lives have in some way brushed against the criminal justice system, through a variety of stressful life circumstances. 

KidStart is constantly seeking new volunteer mentors to be matched with the many and many children and youth on our waitlist.

Contact:

Program Coordinator- KidStart

(250) 386-3428 | 2675 Bridge Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4Y4

The Uni 101 Program is looking for engaged, dynamic, empathetic critical thinkers who are excited about making knowledge more accessible. In return for approximately 6 hours per week, we will provide training in facilitation, non-violent communication, and online engagement, as well as a space to put social justice learning into action. For more information check out their Volunteer page.