Maple Tour Guide - Appleton Farms

Opportunity Overview:
Appleton Farms seeks enthusiastic and outgoing volunteers to lead guided tours of the property during maple season with our visitors. Tours are approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour long, and include a walk to the maple groves while guides provide information about the history of maple and maple tapping practices. Training will be provided to guides, including information about how to tap trees, maple production, Appleton maple offerings and seasonal programming, and the sugar shack where the sap is made into syrup. 

Reports to: Education Manager

Please note: A background check is required for this volunteer role

Benefits:

• Outdoor, fresh air experience in natural settings
• Helping to create a welcoming, supportive and inclusive community
• Connecting and networking with like-minded staff, visitors and volunteers 

Responsibilities (may include but are not limited to the following):

• Lead 45-minute to 1 hour walking tours of the maple groves, ending at the Sugar Shack where guests are dropped off for a demonstration and tasting
• Provide information about the history of maple
• Provide information regarding the sugaring process, from the role of the climate, to collection of sap, and making it into syrup
• Provide information about The Trustees and benefits of membership
• Answer questions regarding the basic history of the farm, maple season programming, and general Appleton Farms information
• Communicate effectively with the public, staff and other volunteers
• Adhere to The Trustees safety and COVID-19 protocols
• Sign-up for your availability

Qualifications:

• Interest in history and/or agriculture
• Willingness to learn about Appleton Farms and maple sugaring processes
• Excellent communication skills
• Friendly and outgoing personality with the ability to speak to larger crowds unamplified
• Have reliable transportation to the Farm
• Enjoy working with and sharing information with people
• Prior experience in customer service and/or working with the public desired

Time Commitment:
Saturday and/or Sunday commitment is needed from February 10th-March 17th. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 5 shifts in this time period, and be available for training in advance of the start of maple season. 
 
More about The Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 125 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our 120 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.

Inclusive Spaces for All
We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all. Together, alongside our partners and volunteers we are creating inclusive spaces of community for people of all backgrounds to enjoy and preserving these open spaces for everyone, forever. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience.

 

The Trustees is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, military service, application for military service, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. The Trustees makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Covid-19 Volunteer Safety:
The health and safety of Trustees’ volunteers, staff and visitors is our top priority.

• If you are not feeling well, please stay home 
• If you have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 or someone displaying symptoms of Covid-19, please stay home 
• For our most current Covid-19 updates, please visit our main Trustees site