Volunteer Opportunities

Heritage Center

Tour Guide

As a tour guide, you will escort visitors to the facility they are touring, the Gruber Wagon Works or the C. Howard Hiester Canal Center. You will guide the visitors through, explain the history, machinery and manufacturing processes, etc. It is your responsibility as a guide, to maintain visitor interest, explain safety rules, supervise visitor conduct, and complete the tour within a specified time period.

Another aspect of being a tour guide is the sale of tickets, the operation of the audio-visual equipment (VCR) and the duties of the Ticket Information Person.

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Ticket/Information

The ticket/information person’s primary responsibilities are to sell tickets for the tours of the Gruber Wagon Works and the C. Howard Hiester Canal Center, provide information on the tours and operation of the Heritage Center, keep tour groups moving smoothly, record ticket sales and attendance, and operate audio-visual equipment used for the introductory program to the Heritage Center. Additional duties include providing general information and distributing brochures pertaining to the Berks County Parks & Recreation Department.

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Country Store/Snack Bar

The volunteer clerk will learn how to operate the cash register and be familiar with the items for sale in the Snack Bar and Country Store. You will also need to be prepared to greet visitors, hand-out brochures and answer general questions pertaining the Berks County Heritage Center and the Berks County Parks & Recreation Dept.

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Herb Garden Assistant

The Herb Group meets regularly to do general maintenance in the Garden and to share information on the plants and herbs included there. They also maintain the plantings around the Distelfink sculpture. On occasion, a group will request to have a guide in the Garden. You would then be called upon to help with that request. Work includes weed pulling, trimming and planting. Call for gardening dates.

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Cataloging/Research

Catalogers are responsible for the inventory, classification, marking, and recording of tools and equipment in the Gruber Wagon Works according to the catalog system implemented and supervised by the Berks County Parks and Recreation department. Research may also be done on topics that are of interest to the Parks department and its visitors.

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Special Events

Festivals

The Festivals/Special Events Volunteer may assist with a variety of activities at festivals. Possible opportunities include Ticket/Information, Country Store/Snack Bar, Herb Garden, demonstrating historic homecrafts, organizing family games, helping with children’s crafts, program handout, or parking cars.

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Face Painting

Face painting is done at every festival except Holiday Lights. Volunteers paint children’s faces with simple designs and characters. Some artistic ability is preferred.

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Children’s Craft Workshops

A few tables of children’s crafts are set-up at each festival for the children to enjoy. Volunteers are needed to demonstrate the crafts, help the kids cut and glue, and be there for basic supervision.

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Preparing Arts and Crafts

This job deals with getting the art supplies ready for the children’s crafts before each big festival. It varies depending on the crafts being done. Cutting patterns, measuring string, and coloring signs are a few of the duties needed.

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Santa

Every year at Holiday Lights we need volunteers to dress as Santa for the children. The "North Pole" is open every evening from 6-8:30 p.m., and Sunday during the day from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

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Master of Ceremonies

The Master of Ceremonies’ primary responsibility will be to introduce entertainment and make the announcements throughout the festivals. You should enjoy being in front of crowds and have a good speaking voice.

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Playground

County Park Party

Volunteers are needed to help supervise activities throughout the Park from Noon - 2:30 p.m. There are many different sports and games for the children to choose from.

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Playground Officials

Certified officials in baseball, softball or volleyball are needed to officiate playground league games. Payments range from $15 per game for volleyball, to $17 per game for baseball. [Position offers a modest fee for service. Only qualified applicants will be considered.

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