Volunteer Calendar

Thank you for volunteering at Point Betsie Light House. Your help is essential to preserving history.

A volunteer open house will be held on May 6, 2023 from 2-4PM. Anyone from the community who is interested in Pt. Betsie is welcome to attend. This is a free opportunity to tour and learn what the lighthouse has to offer. A second open house will be held later in the season at a date to be determined.

This page will help you get signed up to volunteer at the Light House. The volunteer positions are listed below. Click or tap on any of the jobs to see a full description of the duties.

Tower Docent
Front Door/Tower Stairs Docent
Tour Guide
SPS Exhibit Docent
Storytime/Craft Hour Leader
Gift Shop Clerk
Boathouse Exhibit Docent
Watering
Weeding
Ghost Guide
Ghost Refreshments

Once you have some ideas of how you can best help, use the calendar below to find open slots for the volunteer position(s) you have chosen. Use the drop down selector above the calendar to select the month and volunteer position you are interested in. Note that for most jobs, there are three time slots each day. The horizontal bars shown in each day represent the morning shift, the early afternoon shift, and the late afternoon shift. A green bar indicates that the shift is open and a red bar indicates that someone has already signed up for that slot.

Click on any of green bars to sign up for that job/time slot.

Please contact lighthouse staff if you have any questions or concerns.

if you want to sign up for more than a week…we will be happy to do that for you. Let us know.

May 2024 , Tower Docent

Please select a month and volunteer position

SUNMONTUEWEDTHUFRISAT
1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031

Position Descriptions

Tower Docent

The Tower Docent interacts with guests at the top of the tower and ensures the safekeeping of the lens and organized flow of visitors. The Tower Docent will point out areas of geographical and historical significance from the tower view. Guests often ask the Tower Docent to take photos of their group. The Tower Docent should be able to answer guest questions to the best of their ability and enhance the guest experience at Point Betsie Lighthouse. This is a seated position, but does require a trip up and down the tower stairs.

shifts (10-12), (12-2), (2-4) except Sunday (12-2), (2-4)

Front Door/Tower Stairs Docent

This Docent ensures the organized flow of guests for each tour. They will instruct guests to wait on the porch until their tour time as well as direct guests without tickets to Gift Shop to purchase. Guests will often ask this position for the location of restrooms. This Docent will also ring the bell at the base of the tower once a group’s time is up at the top of the tower. They will also supply guests with scavenger hunt and activity materials as well as answer guest questions. This position has limited movement required.

shifts (10-12), (12-2), (2-4) except Sunday (12-2), (2-4)

Tour Guide

This Docent will lead guided tours through the lighthouse. This position requires significant movement through the lighthouse as well as a deep knowledge of the history. A script outline is provided for the tour, but each guide is allowed to make the tour their own and respond to guest questions and points of interest on each tour.

shifts (10-12), (12-2), (2-4) except Sunday (12-2), (2-4)

SPS Exhibit Docent

This Docent will be in the Fog Signal Building and answer questions about the new SPS display and ongoing construction process. These Docents will be briefed with any new updates before their shift so that they have up to date information on the constantly evolving process. This Docent will be on hand to ensure that each guest gets an opportunity to participate with interactive displays and is made aware of how to donate to The Friends of Point Betsie Lighthouse. This position has limited movement required.

shifts (10-12), (12-2), (2-4) except Saturday and Sunday (12-2), (2-4)

Storytime/Craft Hour Leader

This volunteer will read a lighthouse centered story to children and lead them in an activity. Suggested books and activities are provided, but we remain open to other ideas that the volunteer may have within reason. These activities should be coordinated at least 3 weeks in advance with the Executive Director. This position has limited movement required.

shifts (10:30-12) Saturday only

Gift Shop Clerk

This volunteer position assists the Boathouse Giftshop at Point Betsie Lighthouse with their daily operations. This could include guest interaction, retrieving items from the back room for guests, stocking low inventory, overseeing the cash register and transactions, and trips to the lighthouse basement and sheds to bring inventory to the boathouse. Seated positions are available.

shifts (10-12), (12-2), (2-4) except Sunday (12-2), (2-4)

Boathouse Exhibit Docent

This Docent is on hand to answer any questions in the Boathouse Exhibit. This Docent ensures that each guest has an opportunity to experience any interactive displays. This is a position with only limited movement required.

shifts (10-12), (12-2), (2-4) except Sunday (12-2), (2-4)

Watering

Various plants and planters on the grounds of Point Betsie Lighthouse need to be watered each morning. These volunteers will need to be able to navigate our grounds while carrying a provided water can that can weigh up to 15lbs due to limited water hose access.

shifts (9-10) except Sunday (11-12)

Weeding

Weeds tend to flourish at the lighthouse and require a weekly upkeep to keep our grounds looking their best. Garden tools and gloves are provided.

shifts (9-11) Saturday only

Ghost Guide

Lead ghost enthusiasts through our lighthouse and tell them 7 haunted tales of lighthouses along Michigan’s western shore. Significant memorization is required as well as an interest in storytelling and performance. Training for the event will be conducted the week prior to the event start.  There are two volunteer slots open for guides each night.

shifts (7-10PM) Friday or Saturday

Ghost Refreshments

Serve refreshments to our ticket holders and engage guests in conversation about their experience. Volunteers will be located in our Fog Signal building. A space heater is provided, but it is recommended to dress warmly depending on the weather. There are two volunteer slots open for guides each night.

shifts (7-10PM) Friday or Saturday