Antonio J. Waring, Jr. Archaeological Laboratory

Why Volunteer

The Anthropology Department has a very active Volunteer Program. Volunteers work along-side the professional staff and faculty in the Department and the Laboratory on a wide range of projects that providing hands-on experience. Volunteers can work with Physical Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Anthrpological Archaeology, and in multiple facets of the Laboratory. If you are interested in anthropology, like to organize, teach, work with computers, and meet new people, then volunteering might be for you! Volunteers at the Waring Laboratory handle real artifacts from sites across the Southeastern United States. Volunteers are also eligible to take various practical workshops, provided through the Larson Volunteer Program, to teach methods of Curation and Excavation. The Larson Volunteer Program is split into two sets of volunteers: Junior and Senior Volunteers.  A Junior Volunteer is any volunteer between the ages of 8-17. A Senior Volunteer is ages 18-up. Positions for volunteers in the Laboratory include: Cataloging, data entry, library work, and public outreach. Volunteers can be students (secondary education or college students) and members of the local community. Whether you are still in school, in college, or just seeking a chance to further develop your skills, volunteering might be for you. Additionally, the Lewis H. Larson, Jr. Medal Reward Program offers incentives and allows the staff to thank volunteers for their work invested.  

Requirements to Volunteer

• Have an interest in Anthropology, archaeology, education, and the sciences.
• Be at least 8 years old. Ages 8-17 qualify as Junior Volunteers, and Age 18-up qualifies as Senior Volunters.
• Be able to work during normal operating hours (Monday-Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM).
• Have reliable transportation to and from the Laboratory.
• Be able to work a minimum of 2 hrs/week for most positions (preferred) or 5 hrs/month.
• Must work 5 hrs/month to remain active and some of the work may be done at home.

Steps to Becoming a Volunteer

• Read the Volunteer Policy and Procedure Manual and complete the Application attached at the end of the document. Note: Junior Volunteers must have their parent/legal guardian sign the application.
• Bring in or mail the completed Application to: Volunteer Program, Antonio J. Waring, Jr. Archaeological Laboratory, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118. 
• The Applicant will be contacted by the Laboratory Coordinator to clarify the application and direct the volunteer to the applicable supervisor for their interest level.
• Volunteers are chosen based on experience and need.
• If hired, the applicant and the immediate supervisor will then develop a written or oral contract of work.
• All volunteers regardless of assignments must complete Block I (Orientation) of training that includes a tour of the Waring Laboratory and the Anthropology Building to become familiar with your surroundings. Other training may be required for other areas.
• Volunteers at the Laboratory must complete the training below:
  • Senior Volunteers: Managing Archeological Collections: Technical Assistance (National Park Service) must be completed with scores of 80% or better. 
  • Junior Volunteers: must complete the Junior Volunteer Training Packet.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Click here to view current job openings for volunteers.