The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) accepts applications year-round from people interested in volunteer opportunities. All new volunteers initially join the Visitor Engagement Committee and undertake general volunteer training over several months. Following this, volunteers are welcome to join other volunteer committees where they can contribute their time and skills.

For those volunteers selecting the Archaeology Committee, specific training will continue with members and staff.

Archaeology volunteers deliver The Archaeology of the Lower Fraser River school program to elementary students (Grades 4–7) throughout the school year (September—mid-December; January—early June). The program is 90 minutes long and offered on Wednesdays at 10 am and 12:15 pm.

The program helps students discover the rich, 9,000-year history of the First Nations people in southwestern BC by learning about their tools and technologies. The primary focus is on the Musqueam people. It includes an introduction to authentic and replicated artifacts (belongings) and materials used for fishing, hunting, woodworking, and home life. In addition, the students learn to make a rope bracelet using traditional techniques based on First Nations’ methods of twining.

Archaeology volunteers can participate in the Laboratory of Archaeology (LOA) activities in addition to the school programs.

Archaeology volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. The ideal volunteer should:

• Enjoy working with children
• Have a strong interest in First Nations cultures and issues, both historic and contemporary
• Have a strong interest in archaeology
• Be flexible and patient and willing to work with children of various ability levels
• Have an interest in museums
• Be able to volunteer on Wednesdays during regular school hours
• Experience working with children is an asset

Training:

Training for the Archaeology Committee includes learning the necessary content for delivering school programs. These sessions are usually conducted over one to two days, after which ongoing hands-on training will take place through observation and teamwork with experienced Archaeology Committee members. Volunteers will learn all aspects of the school program, including the set-up of teaching materials and equipment, information content and how to present archaeological belongings for hands-on activities.

Once training is complete, volunteers are asked to be available for either the morning and/or afternoon session each week on Wednesdays. If it becomes necessary, volunteers will be trained to provide the program virtually.

Commitment:

• Minimum two-year term on the Archaeology Committee
• Wednesdays: morning and/or afternoon sessions
• Attend Archaeology Committee meetings, which usually take place before Volunteer Associates (VA) General meetings
• Attend VA General meetings, six times a year in September, November, January, March, April (AGM) and, May

In addition to these commitments, members are encouraged to participate in any of the following: LOA Thursday Open Lab Nights, Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) webinars or lectures (UBC Chapter), Archaeology Committee field trips, various courses supported by MOA for volunteers, and programs provided by the Continuing Education and Engagement Committee (CEEC).