Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers assist at all levels at Homestead National Monument of America. There are volunteers that assist with administration. Some are project leaders for nationally recognized research. Students, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H groups often help with projects. Volunteers of all ages help at special events and demonstrate various skills and tasks of successful pioneers.

If you would like to volunteer at Homestead, contact Park Ranger Susan Cook at (402)223-3514 or complete this application and mail it to Homestead National Monument of America, 8523 West State Hwy 4, Beatrice, NE 68310.

Current/new volunteers: Complete this volunteer agreement and bring it with you when you arrive at your scheduled volunteer event. Those under 18 years old need to have the parental approval completed in the second section.

For more information about volunteer opportunities with Federal agencies, click here.

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Join the Rangers in collecting native plant seeds in the tallgrass prairie. The seeds collected will be used for the restoration of monument land. Seed collection dates are September 26 at 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday October 3, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Volunteer collects sample from Cub Creek for the ongoing Water Quality Project and assists Ranger with testing in laboratory.

Volunteers demonstrate some of the common activities of pioneers for students at Pioneer Days. Shown clockwise from left churning butter with a hand cranked butter churn, hand quilting with only a needle and thread, and shelling corn with a hand cranked sheller.

Beatrice Middle School Receives Take Pride America Award

Denise Elmer Announced Volunteer of the Year at Homestead National Monument of America

Denise Elmer was honored as the Volunteer of the Year at Homestead National Monument of America on Sunday, September 20, 2009, at the annual Volunteer Recognition event. Volunteers are an integral part of the operation at Homestead National Monument of America. Because of the number of programs the monument offers, many of them would not be possible without the assistance of volunteers. "We are very fortunate and honored to have these tremendous volunteers involved in the monument. Over the past year nearly 500 people have volunteered over 14,000 hours of service." stated Superintendent Mark Engler.

The volunteer of the year award is given to a person who has made an impact to Homestead National Monument of America in several divisions. Denise Elmer has been behind the scenes doing special projects for many years. You’ll see her working during special events such as being a guide during Howling Homestead; parking cars during Homestead Days and Monumental Fiddling Championship; representing the National Park Service at the Nebraska State Fair; and collecting native plant seeds during the volunteer work days. One of the largest impacts that she has made is in her promotion of the monument with Southeast Community College students. Elmer incorporates Homestead National Monument of America in her lesson plans encouraging students to study the monument’s themes and provide products that can be used for the Friends of Homestead website and blog. The research can be used by rangers for development of new programs. She also writes, manages, and publishes the blog for the Friends of Homestead and established the Friend’s website.

Homestead National Monument of America honored all of its volunteers at a special reception. Several special awards were presented. Stadium chairs were presented to volunteers who provided 100 hours of service this fiscal year. They include: Jerry Davison, Denise Elmer, Tim Foster, Mary Jane Greenwood, Bob Hancock, Marjorie Huls, Arvilla Noerrlinger, Delma Paul, and Tom and Eileen Shirk. Fleece jackets were given as awards to volunteers providing 50 or more hours of service. They include: Don and Betty Deats, Ninfa Gonzalez, Ken and Mary Jane Greenwood, Alice Meints, Ken and Lois Moore, Inez Steinkamp, John Bstandig, Jean Crom, LeeAnn Genrich, Rose Gonderinger, Charles and Frances Maguire, Don Schnier and Zelda Stevens.

For information on volunteering at the monument, contact the Monument’s Volunteer Manager Susan Cook at 402-223-3514.