Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer
Are you interested in sharing your knowledge and skills? Would you like to learn the art of traditional sailing? At BaySail we rely heavily on the enthusiasm of volunteers to help us deliver top quality educational experiences under sail. Volunteer opportunities include teaching positions for Science Under Sail and volunteer deckhand positions. Please contact us and request a volunteer information packet or click here to download a volunteer application.

Shipboard Educator

Volunteer

As a volunteer educator, you will be responsible for leading students through the activities included in BaySail’s environmental education program, Science under Sail. The skills required include an ability to learn basic scientific principles and an aptitude for interacting with, and appropriately managing young people.

Staff and crew will train you in:

  • Proper “topside terminology” and vessel layout.
  • Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay history.
  • Use of scientific sampling equipment such as water sampling bottles, secchi disks, plankton nets, and bottom dredges.
  • Water testing and use of our water testing kit.
  • Identifying benthic macroinvertebrates and explaining their significance as indicator species.
  • Identifying phytoplankton and zooplankton under a microscope and explaining their importance and roles in the food chain.
  • Coaching the students in raising the sails.

    • Sailing Crew

    Volunteer

    As a volunteer crew member your responsibilities will include all manner of shipboard duties from washing the deck and greeting passengers, to handling lines and setting sails. Most sailing opportunities will be during our 3-hour public sails and during the 3 ½-hour Science under Sail programs. Long distance passage making opportunities are also available to volunteers with advanced standing (volunteers that have participated in maintenance days are given priority). Safety and seamanship training sessions are held periodically for volunteer candidates. Good health and a reasonable level of physical fitness are required.

     

    Maintenance Volunteer

    Maintenance volunteers are needed mainly in the Spring when we are prepping the APPLEDORE schooners for the new season and in the Autumn when we are winterizing the ships. Maintenance volunteers may also be called upon occasionally during the sailing season. Duties may include: painting, rigging, woodworking, general repair work, etc. We often have a need for individuals with specialized skills such as welding, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry. Maintenance volunteers are given priority for passage making opportunities.

     

    Day Sail Docent

    This is an excellent opportunity for Bay City locals to share their knowledge of our community during our 3-hour public sails. Docents are hosts that deliver our informal onboard narration, answer passenger questions, and manage the BaySail onboard merchandise sales. Full training provided.

     

    Office Help

    Periodically, we need extra help in the office for mailings, updating databases, and other clerical tasks. An office volunteer would only be called upon from time to time when this extra help is needed -- we can usually accommodate your schedule.

     

    Internships

    Each season we offer a limited number of internships for individuals looking to gain more extensive and intensive experience with our ships and programs. Ideally suited to students in education and the sciences, internships are offered spring, summer, and fall. Interns can choose between ship crew and science educator positions. A five week commitment is required. Interns completing all requirements will receive a stipend of $250 and a certificate of completion. Please inquire for more details.

    Internships 2010

     

    Click here to download a Volunteer Application.