Archeologists and anthropologists are often grateful for volunteers. In fact, many state and regional archeologists and anthropologists take pride in their volunteer programs, as a means of building stronger community ties and as a way to share their knowledge about cultural resources.

Numerous volunteer opportunities exist throughout the country. See “A Great Excuse to Get Dirty” to get a sense of the enthusiasm volunteers have brought to a project in Alexandria, Virginia, and then find an opportunity that appeals to you among the links below. Also, you may want to check with your state archeologist or State Historic Preservation Officer for information on state or regional volunteer opportunities.

Serve.gov
Serve.gov is your online resource for not only finding volunteer opportunities in your community, but also creating your own. Use Serve.gov to help you do your part. America’s foundation will be built one community at a time – and it starts with you.

Volunteer.gov
Volunteer.gov, America’s Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal, is a strategic alliance of local, State, and Federal governmental partners with volunteer positions and events for citizens interested in service benefitting our Nation’s resources.

The Archaeological Institute of America's Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities
From the AIA homepage, go to "Fieldwork" and then the link to "search for fieldwork opportunities" for a comprehensive listing of excavations and field schools throughout the world with openings for volunteers, students, and staff.

BLM: Environmental Education Volunteers
The homepage of the Bureau of Land Management Environmental Education and Volunteers Group, this site has information on the BLM as well as listings of Volunteer Opportunities.

The Cornell University Inter-College Program in Archaeology
A useful site which has listings of addresses along with short descriptions of field schools and fieldwork opportunities around the world.

MWAC Volunteer opportunities
This site is hosted by the NPS Midwest Archeological Center, which conducts excavations from Ohio to the Great Plains.

Passport in Time
PIT is a volunteer program of the USDA Forest Service.

The Smithsonian Institution's Anthropology Outreach Office
This page, which is on the web site of the National Museum of Natural History, has a listing of fieldwork opportunities across the country.

The VIP Program
The National Park Service's own Volunteers-In-Parks program assists professionals in preserving resources in our National Parks.

Several organizations also provide opportunities for archeological and anthropological volunteer activities such as:

Center for American Archeology
Dept. B, Kampsville Archeological Center,
P.O. Box 366,
Kampsville, IL 62053,
(618) 653-4316.

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
23390 County Road K,
Cortez, CO 81321,
(800) 422-8975.

Earthwatch
680 Mt. Auburn St., Box 403N
Watertown, MA 02272,
(800) 776-0188; fax: 617-926-8352.

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum
10115 Mackall Road
St. Leonard, MD 20685
(410) 586-8500

Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center (MVAC)
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
1725 State st.
La Crosse, WI 54601-3788
(608) 785-8463

For further information on regional and local archeology programs, archaeological societies, museums, and university programs in your area, you may want to look at our listing of State Archaeology Celebrations.

And don't miss our featured volunteer program... "A Great Excuse to Get Dirty" (Alexandria Archeology)

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