Nonprofit
2026 Miner's Pumpkin Patch Volunteer
Details
Description
Help create a welcoming, safe, and memorable Pumpkin Patch experience at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry.
The Pumpkin Patch welcomes hundreds of visitors each Saturday in October. Volunteers help guests check in, navigate the event, enjoy activities, and experience one of the museum’s largest annual community events.
Volunteer work areas
Guest Services, Volunteer, and Entertainment Support
Welcome guests, assist with check-in and admission areas, support the volunteer tent, help organize entertainment areas, and provide general event assistance.
Parking and Hayride Support
Direct vehicles and pedestrian traffic, assist guests, and help guests board and exit hayride wagons. Public volunteer assignments do not include driving.
Pumpkin Patch and Activities
Assist guests in the pumpkin patch, monitor the slide, support gold panning and hands-on activities, and help operate the cider press.
Blacksmith Assistant
Support the museum blacksmith during demonstrations. Volunteers will receive instructions and relevant equipment training.
Exact assignments will reflect event needs and volunteer preferences.
Who we are looking for
- Volunteers age 14 or older.
- Volunteers ages 14 through 17 who can serve with a parent or guardian present for the entire shift.
- Dependable people who enjoy helping guests and working as part of an event team.
- Volunteers who can follow instructions and communicate respectfully with visitors, staff, and other volunteers.
- People prepared for standing, walking, and outdoor work in changing October weather.
No previous event or museum experience is required. Volunteers will receive instructions and relevant training when they arrive.
Volunteer benefits
- Free Pumpkin Patch and museum admission on the day you volunteer.
- One free future museum admission.
- One free museum guest pass.
- Snacks and beverages during your shift.
- Documentation of completed service hours.
- Volunteer completion letter.
- Letters of recommendation based on volunteer service.
- Recognition opportunities for volunteers serving multiple Saturdays.
- Priority consideration for future museum volunteer opportunities.
Individuals and volunteer groups are welcome.
Event dates and shifts
The Pumpkin Patch takes place on Saturdays: October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2026.
Morning shift: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Afternoon shift: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Volunteers may register for one shift or multiple Saturday shifts.
Questions about volunteering or group participation? Contact the Western Museum of Mining & Industry at volunteer@wmmi.org.
Location
The Western Museum of Mining & Industry
Directions
The Western Museum of Mining & Industry preserves and interprets the rich mining history of Colorado and the American West. Open since 1970, the museum connects visitors with the people, technology, and industries that helped shape the region.
Located on a 27-acre campus in Colorado Springs, WMMI features a 12,200-square-foot exhibit hall, working historic machinery, a model mining drift, gold-panning stations, historic buildings, educational programs, guided tours, and community events. Through interactive experiences and preservation, WMMI brings Western mining and industrial history to life for visitors of all ages.
How to Volunteer for This Opportunity
Select the application link to open the 2026 Pumpkin Patch SignUpGenius. Choose your preferred Saturday, shift, and volunteer work area. Complete and submit the SignUpGenius registration to reserve your opening. Volunteers may register for more than one shift.
