Exhibit Door Host Volunteer Role
Share Your Passion for History and Create Lasting Memories for Guests!
Role Overview
Under the direction of the Exhibit Lead Hands and following the lead of the Historical Interpreter Staff, the Exhibit Door Host Volunteer plays a key role in managing the flow of guests at Heritage Park’s exhibits. They welcome visitors, provide essential information, and help maintain an engaging and organized guest experience. Door Hosts should have a general knowledge of the park and be comfortable assisting with crowd control while ensuring guests enjoy their visit.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as the first point of contact for guests, providing a warm welcome and relevant details about the exhibit.
- Direct guests on where to enter and exit while ensuring smooth traffic flow.
- Remind visitors of exhibit guidelines (e.g., no food or drink inside, stroller parking, etc.).
- Offer paper bags for small food items (e.g., candy, cookies) so guests can store them appropriately while visiting.
- Use a handheld counter to track attendance and report final numbers to the paid Interpreter at the end of each shift.
- Wear a period-appropriate costume provided by the park to enhance the historical atmosphere.
- Learn and share basic information about the park, exhibit locations, and daily activities to assist guests.
- Stay informed about the history of the exhibit(s) and direct detailed historical inquiries to the Historical Interpreter.
- Sign in and out on My Impact and check in/out at the Prep Room.
- Attend the morning meeting (for morning shifts) led by Public Programming Specialists for daily updates.
- Notify the Lead Hands in advance if unable to attend a scheduled shift.
Expectations
To succeed as an Exhibit Host, you should:
- Enjoy interacting with people and have excellent communication skills.
- Maintain a friendly, courteous demeanor when engaging with guests and staff.
- Be willing to learn and share historical information related to the exhibit(s).
- Most historical questions should be redirected to the Historical Interpreters, but the Door Host should have enough general knowledge to answer basic questions about the site.
- Feel comfortable standing for long periods and moving around the exhibit area.
- Be adaptable and ready to support various needs within the exhibit space.
Knowledge of Heritage Park or Western Canadian history is an asset but not required — we’ll provide all the training you need!
Training and Support
Heritage Park is committed to setting volunteers up for success! All Exhibit Hosts receive thorough training, which includes:
- Interpretation Training: Learn about the Public Interpretation Department, exhibit history, and guest engagement techniques.
- Exhibit Resources: Gain access to site binders, exhibit profiles, and historical research materials.
- On-Site Mentoring: Receive hands-on support and guidance from experienced Site Interpreters and Lead Hands.
Time Commitment:
- Volunteers are asked to commit to one shift per week during the season (May – September). This commitment helps maintain continuity in historical interpretation and reflects the care put into training and outfitting volunteers in accurate, high-quality period costumes.
- Shifts typically last 4 hours, from 9:45 AM – 1:15 PM or 1:15 PM – 5:00 PM.
- Full day is also available from 9:45AM – 5:00PM (with 30 minute lunch break and 15 minute afternoon break)
- Shifts are available daily from May through Labour Day, and on weekends only from Labour Day to Thanksgiving.
Clothing and Equipment
- Costumes: Heritage Park provides period-appropriate costumes to enhance historical accuracy.
- Footwear: Volunteers provide their own footwear as approved by the Costuming Department.
Identified Risks and Hazards
- Trips, slips, and falls on uneven ground or boardwalks.
- Strains from prolonged standing or walking.
- Exposure to extreme weather conditions.
- Exposure to wood smoke (in exhibits with working stoves or fireplaces).
- Burns from hot metal or flames (in applicable exhibit areas).
Volunteers are trained in safety protocols to help mitigate these risks and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience.
Why Volunteer as an Exhibit Door Host?
By volunteering as an Exhibit Door Host, you become part of a passionate community dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Western Canada. You’ll develop valuable skills, make meaningful connections, and contribute to creating unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages. Plus, you’ll enjoy benefits like free parking, access to historical training materials, and the opportunity to earn a membership pass through accumulated volunteer hours.
Ready to bring history to life? Join us as an Exhibit Door Host and help make every guest’s visit to Heritage Park a memorable journey through time!
