VOLUNTEER
WITH US!
OPEN VOLUNTEER CALL HOURS - SATURDAYS from 10AM-5PM
- for first time volunteers an RSVP sent to volunteer@philashipguild.org is required -
We are always looking for new members to join our crew!
Crews are made up of all kinds of people! Our volunteer base hails from many backgrounds- students, artists, engineers, teachers, lawyers, of all different ages, whom all share a common interest in ships and preserving their vessels’ maritime history. No experience is necessary – We are always delighted to teach newcomers and share our love for what we do! Aside from working on the vessels themselves, volunteers help with public event hosting and educational programming, amongst other leadership and administrative opportunities. Become a Member today!
Visit us
down at Penn's Landing Marina
Gazela is located at Penn’s Landing – Columbus Blvd. and Market St. – South of the RiverRink (101 S Christopher Columbus Blvd.) Tugboat Jupiter is located just south of Gazela. Our barge Poplar further north (next to Penn’s Landing Dog Park).
Volunteer Requirements: Must be at least 16 years of age, or 14 with a parent’s participation. Closed toed shoes are required and COVID vaccinations are highly recommended for in-person volunteering. Be sure to wear something that is not movement restrictive, too loose (as to catch on machinery), or something that you don’t want to get dirty! Many of our ship restoration and preservation duties will leave you covered in dirt, paint, sweat and sawdust.
Opportunity FAQ:
Restoration/Preservation: Interested in helping restore and preserve the 1883 barkentine Gazela and the tug Jupiter? Previous experience in these fields is welcomed but not necessary.
Library/Archives/Collections: Prior experience is not necessary, but anyone with a previous library, archives or museum background of any level is especially encouraged to volunteer. This could look like cataloging, data entry, inventory update, library organization, maintaining archival and artifact collections, maritime research, document compilation for later reference, etc.
Education: School Program Assistant volunteers assist the PSPG Educator with school groups by leading students through the ships, assisting with hands-on activities during school visits, and help with outreach programs to local schools. They also work with education groups to review and rewrite curriculum. Opportunities to be a Docents are also available, interpreting exhibits to groups of all ages dockside during the weekends or open ship.
Office / Clerical: Is paperwork your thing? We love a number crunching excel-savvy volunteer who can help us tackle data collection and entry, filing, and bulk mailings.
Public Relations/Fundraising: We always need hands to help distribute materials for each event, callmedia, call members for fundraising, friendly faces to meet with donors at fund-raising events, create and execute protocols for new events, and liaison points of contact for booking Gazela as a private event rental venue.
Maintenance: Love to clean? Maintenance volunteers help with light gallery and head cleaning, sweeping, restocking and other related duties. These volunteers will report to ship foremen on weekends to be assigned work that is necessary for ship’s upkeep.
Special Events: Want to see some shows in exchange for volunteering? Some volunteers help us conduct Open Ship tours and interpret historical materials to guests. We also have volunteer opportunities manning reception stations at private to provide safety and information to participants.