There are many ways to be part of Conner Prairie by joining a passionate community that brings history, science, and innovation to life. Whether you're a teen, adult, student, or young professional, there are unique ways to contribute to making a lasting impact for yourself and the museum.
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Join Our Team
At Conner Prairie, Indiana's first Smithsonian Institute Affiliate, we inspire guests to ask questions about Indiana and the world around them. Our 1,000+ acre property offers families a place to come together and connect with history, science, nature, art and most importantly, one another.
It takes a staff of enthusiastic, creative individuals to deliver great guest experiences. If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply for one of our open positions.
Adult Volunteers
Our adult volunteers are key to Conner Prairie’s overall guest experience. They serve as ambassadors throughout the year. Through the efforts of our dedicated and passionate volunteers, guests are able to Step into the Story of Indiana’s past, present, and future at our unique museum where history, art, science, and nature come to life.
Conner Prairie has a wide range of volunteering opportunities working directly with guests or behind the scenes. There are more than 90 different ways to connect your passion and skills to our mission. We truly have something for everyone. Come share your talents, learn some new ones, make friends, and have fun as you Step Into your own Story as an adult volunteer at Conner Prairie.
For questions, please contact volunteer@connerprairie.org.
To contact the volunteer department about Day of Service or other outside volunteer opportunities, including high school service hours, please send an email to: volunteer@connerprairie.org
Expectations and benefits
- All adult volunteers must pass a criminal background check before being allowed to serve
- Ages 18 and up
- Flexible time commitments beginning at four shifts per year
- Annual Volunteer-only events
- Discounts at the Conner Prairie Store and Café on the Common
- Shifts are available weekdays, weekends, and evenings
- Additional training provided for those wishing to volunteer across our historic grounds
- Serve 100 or more hours in a calendar year and receive a complimentary membership
Ways To Get Involved
- Special Events & Programs
- Daily Experience Volunteers
- Conner Prairie Store
- Tour Guides
- School Tours
- Gardening
- Textiles/ Sewing Guild
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Help enhance the guest experience at one of our many festivals or special programming days. Choose from:
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Volunteer across our historic grounds. Receive specialized trainings. Choose from several different options:
- Welcome and orient guests to the grounds
- Volunteer as a docent in the Conner House
- Share about our heritage animal breeds
- Introduce guests to activities from the Lenape culture
- Unite the past with the present through 1800’s activities
- Welcome our youngest guests to create art or engage in imaginative play in Discovery Station
- Interact with nature lovers and explorers of all ages at Treetop Outpost
- Welcome our youngest guests to engage in outdoor play in the Junction
- Assist staff with programming along The Trails at Conner Prairie
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- Assist guests making purchase selections
- Operate the cash register
- Organize displays and stock merchandise
- Training provided on site
- Shifts available weekdays and weekends
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Provide interactive tours to special interest groups that visit Conner Prairie or hold corporate trainings in one of our catering venues.
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- Greet and check-in school field trip groups as buses arrive
- Provide maps and other information to teachers and group leaders
- Help teachers locate lunch locations
- Assist with group dismissal
- April-May and September-October
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- Assist staff with planting, harvesting, and maintaining gardens in Conner Prairie’s historic areas. Mondays, March-November
- Help with our heirloom plant sale in early May
- Opportunities are also available to discuss and explain the historic gardens to guests. Tuesday-Sunday from April-October
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- Help create reproduction clothing and home furnishings worn and used on the grounds
- Mend reproduction clothing to extend its useful life
- Create textile merchandise to be sold in the Conner Prairie store
- Sewing, knitting, or weaving skills required
Youth Volunteers
Connect with new friends and build a foundation for your future
Learning is the primary focus of Conner Prairie’s youth volunteer program. We aim to give talented young people the opportunity to grow through Conner Prairie's enriching environment. If you're passionate about Conner Prairie, love speaking to people and enjoy the rewards of old-fashioned sweat and effort, this program may be for you! We have three types of Youth Volunteers.
Conner Prairie Camp and Events Youth Volunteers
Our Camp and Events Volunteers assist as junior counselors for our popular Adventure Camp program, as well as special events like Headless Horseman, Jupiter Flights, and A Merry Prairie Holiday. This program focuses on assisting campers, not being a camper.
Conner Prairie Youth Volunteer General Program
Youth ages 10-18 may apply for the General Youth Volunteer program. Guest interaction is a primary focus of this position. Youth in this program primarily interpret on our historic areas, both in modern uniform and in costume. Some of these youth also assist with Special Events and Camp. Applications for this type of volunteer are now closed. They will reopen in early October 2026.
Democracy in Dialogue Youth Volunteers
Democracy in Dialogue is a Smithsonian virtual exchange program aimed at engaging students and educators from various backgrounds in meaningful discussions about democracy and community. A group of 10-25 youth will form an in-person cohort at Conner Prairie, and meet virtually with a partner cohort elsewhere in the US. The cohort will work together to produce a final research/oral history/video project.
The program will run from January through April 2026. Applications for this type of volunteer are now closed.
Learn More
For more information about our youth volunteer program, email youthvolunteers@connerprairie.org
Fun Facts:
- 115 youth in program
- Average age of youth: 13.9
- Youngest Youth: 10
- Oldest Youth: 18
- Minimum Hours donated per year: 120
- Most Hours ever donated by a youth in a single year: 1066
- About ⅓ of the youth are homeschooled
- Over ¼ of the youth participate on our Youth Spinning Team
- Shortest commute to Conner Prairie: ¼ mile (across the street)
- Longest commute to Conner Prairie: 7,106 miles (Bahrain)
- Favorite program as voted on by the youth: Headless Horseman
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The Youth Leadership Development program is supported by:
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