Volunteer with us
Volunteers have always been integral to the museum's operations. At the end of the Cold War, Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Carp — the "Diefenbunker" — was decommissioned, stripped of its contents, and sold to the Township of West Carleton. Fortunately, a group of volunteers, many of them former CFS Carp employees, stepped forward to preserve the building — recognized in 1994 as a national historic site and Canada's most significant Cold War artifact — and open it as a museum.
Volunteers painstakingly sourced original and period artifacts to fill the spaces and reconfigure the bunker to how it looked during its 32 years of operation, and diligently raised funds to attract visitors and support the museum's growth. Without the vision, hard work, and tenacity of these original volunteers, the Diefenbunker and its place in history would be long forgotten.
Today, we continue this legacy of hard work and dedication from volunteers. The Diefenbunker's volunteer program upholds these same values as the museum's early years, and our current volunteers exemplify strong commitment to the museum's mandate and goals, ensuring the site's longevity and meeting the needs and interests of visitors.
Diefenbunker volunteer program
We welcome individuals in the Ottawa region to be part of our growing volunteer team, where you will contribute to preserving and promoting history.
The Diefenbunker's volunteer program offers a variety of opportunities for individuals to contribute to the museum's mandate while gaining valuable personal experience. Volunteers play an essential role in enhancing the museum experience for visitors and supporting the museum’s day-to-day operations. Volunteers can assist with tours, facility maintenance, our amateur radio station, and more.
If you're interested in sharing your skills and experience to support our museum operations, we would love to hear from you!
Why volunteer
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Contribute to history preservation at a unique Ottawa landmark and a national historic site
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Use your skills and expertise to support a charitable organization dedicated to education
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Collaborate on unique projects
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Meet like-minded individuals
Benefits of being a volunteer
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Branded volunteer swag
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Social gatherings and exclusive invites to museum events
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Family & friends admission, plus discounts on Diefenbunker merchandise, programs, and rentals
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Free on-site parking
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Access to perks at other museums and attractions in Ontario
3,400+
hours volunteered each year
400+
guided tours given each year
600+
radio connections made each year
35+
countries communicated with over radio each year
(plus the International Space Station!)
Volunteer positions
Tour guides
Offer educational and interactive experiences for visitors by leading public group tours through the Diefenbunker. Share information related to the Diefenbunker site and Canada's Cold War history, through engaging narratives and storytelling to enhance visitors' understanding and enjoyment. Guides may cater to various audience groups including tourists from around the world, youth, and special interest groups.
An ideal position for someone who is thoroughly interested in Canadian history or Cold War history, and who has strong communication skills and the ability to connect with and engage a diverse group of audiences.
Facilities volunteers
Conduct necessary repairs and maintenance to the physical aspects of the facility, in order to preserve a unique historic site while ensure a safe and welcoming environment for visitors. This role involves a variety of tasks including ensuring equipment like lighting and electrical is in operational order, and addressing general maintenance needs.
An ideal position for someone who has a strong background in general maintenance or engineering, enjoys hands-on problem-solving and tinkering, and has physical stamina.
Radio operators
Operate in a "live" museum exhibit by utilizing amateur radio (also referred to as ham radio) equipment within the Diefenbunker's historic radio rooms to engage with visitors. These volunteers facilitate live communication with other radio operators around the globe, while providing demonstrations and sharing knowledge of communications technology and Cold War history with visitors.
An ideal position for someone who is in possession of a ham radio licence, enjoys amateur radio operation as a personal hobby, has technical expertise in the field of radio and communications, has strong communication skills, and enjoys educating the public on radio and Cold War history.
Gift Shop volunteers
Contribute to the visitor experience at the museum by greeting and orienting visitors in the Gift Shop, and processing the sale of merchandise inspired by the Diefenbunker and the Cold War. These volunteers provide high-quality service and answer questions about the museum and its activities, while ensuring the Gift Shop is clean and well stocked.
An ideal position for someone who excels in customer service, has strong attention to detail, and has previous cash handling experience.
Accessibility & exhibit attendants
Help make the museum a welcoming and inclusive space for all by greeting and orienting visitors, providing mobility assistance including operating a stair lift and freight elevator, distributing audio guides and sensory bags, and addressing accessibility barriers in the museum based on observation and feedback. These volunteers will also provide historic interpretation to visitors through conversations and exhibit interactives like a VR experience.
An ideal position for someone who has strong communication and customer service skills, enjoys assisting others, and can work well with people of diverse age groups and abilities.
“As a volunteer guide, I consider it a privilege to be able to share an important part of Canada’s Cold War history by not just showing historical exhibits, but by walking visitors through a piece of history, the bunker itself.
Bringing a 100,000 square foot facility alive is always a treat for all the volunteer guides as we inform, educate, and entertain visitors. All our guides, both volunteer and staff, work hard at making their tours a best-ever event for the visitor.
Like all the other radio volunteers, I enjoy being a part of the museum’s only “live” exhibit. We give visitors an opportunity to engage on a personal level with seasoned radio operators to learn how the bunker communicated with the outside world, both during the Cold War and present times.”
Brian Jeffrey, Volunteer Tour Guide
“I joined the Diefenbunker volunteer team in 2001 shortly after the museum acquired the original emergency radio station equipment that was in service until decommissioning in 1993. As a long time, licensed amateur radio operator / enthusiast I was delighted with the opportunity to put my experience towards getting the station back on the air from its original spot on the 400 level. There were many interesting technical challenges and VE3CWM went live in 2002. With the encouragement and support of the museum, and many dedicated volunteers, both of ham radio and general persuasion, VE3CWM has evolved into an active and respected museum exhibit with a worldwide reach into the ether.
It has been a privilege to be involved in this project and to encounter so many wonderful individuals through volunteering at the Diefenbunker.”
Nick Shepherd, Chief Radio Operator
“I have been volunteering at the Cold War Museum for about 25 years, primarily, but not exclusively, on maintenance activities. Over the years I have been involved in many different projects and solved many different problems in order to help the staff keep the museum in good repair and open to the public.
I have also assisted with exhibit development because I have firsthand knowledge of some areas during the Diefenbunker’s operational days.
It’s an honour to participate in keeping such an important artifact open for the education of the public.”
Gord Heath, Facilities Volunteer
Support our mission
We are a one-of-a-kind museum and national historic site, operating as an independent charitable organization. Your support enables us to continue preserving important history and educating present and future generations on the Cold War in Canada.