Volunteer VIP's
The Volunteers In Parks (VIP) Program at the Midwest
Archeological Center (MWAC)
Americans have enjoyed a love affair with their national
parks since the creation of Yellowstone National Park, the
first national park, in 1872. The Volunteers in Parks (VIP)
program was established to allow members of the public to
assist the National Park Service with its goals of preserving,
protecting, and interpreting our country's natural and cultural
heritage.
As a part of the National Park system, the Midwest Archeological
Center (MWAC) assists the parks and other federal agencies
in locating, identifying, interpreting, and preserving their
archeological resources. During the course of this work, MWAC
provides many opportunities for public participation in archeological
research through the VIP program.
Last year alone, 144 volunteers contributed 7,848 hours of
time to MWAC projects. The greatest contributions came from
the Civil War buffs that flocked to investigations at Pea
Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas and at Wilson's
Creek National Battlefield in Missouri. Large volunteer
numbers were likewise recorded during excavations at Hopewell
Culture National Historical Park in Ohio. Volunteers also
enlisted for fieldwork in places ranging from Cuyahoga
Valley National Park, Ohio, to Voyageurs National Park
along the boundary waters in northern Minnesota, Wind Cave
National Park, South Dakota, and Fort
Union Trading Post National Historic Site in North Dakota.
Other volunteers worked in the MWAC laboratory, assisting
in the analysis or archeological data from Fort Union, Hopewell
Culture, and Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Volunteers can be individuals or groups. VIPs may have specialized
skills of use to archeologists and support staff in areas
of research, mapping, drafting, computer applications, and
clerical work. Most VIPs, however, are trained on the job
in a broad variety of areas. Whatever their skill level, all
are welcome to apply.
Come work side by side with archeologists at MWAC and in
the field. The Midwest Archeological Center needs your help
and the opportunities are as unlimited as the imagination.
If you are interested in becoming involved in archeology through
Center research, complete and print this Volunteer
Application and mail it to the following address:
Attn: Volunteer Coordinator
Midwest Archeological Center
100 Centennial Mall North, Rm 474
Lincoln, NE 68508
or contact Volunteer Coordinator Dawn
Bringelson at (402) 437-5392, x105 for a copy. We will
be more than happy to fit you to a job of your liking.
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