SBMM Offers Community and Purpose with its Volunteer Training Program
Santa Barbara, CA — The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is calling on community members who love the ocean, local history, or simply meeting new people to consider a role that keeps the museum’s stories sailing forward. Beginning March 17, SBMM will be recruiting new volunteers for its 2026 Volunteer Training Program, offering a structured, welcoming pathway into docent and volunteer service.
For more than 25 years, SBMM has served as a year-round waterfront destination where visitors can explore the rich maritime history of the Santa Barbara Channel – all without leaving the harbor. Through interactive exhibits, hands-on learning stations, rotating art and history displays, and education programs for youth and families, SBMM highlights the region’s deep ties to the sea — from historic seafaring and navigation to commercial fishing, shipwreck stories, ocean exploration, and the unique coastal environment that shapes life along the Santa Barbara Channel.
Volunteers are essential to that experience. They greet visitors at the front desk, help guests navigate exhibits, answer questions, assist with special events, and support school field trips and education programs. Volunteers welcome visitors while making sure a visit feels personal and memorable.
“Volunteers are truly the heart of our museum,” said SBMM Board President Alex Weinstein, M.D. “They are essential to delivering exceptional experiences for visitors and helping us preserve Santa Barbara’s maritime heritage. This program gives volunteers a chance to make a real impact while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at our maritime history.”
The museum’s Volunteer Training Program is designed for those who want to learn and engage, whether they are lifelong locals, newcomers to Santa Barbara, retirees looking for a purposeful way to stay active, students building experience, educators seeking community involvement, or ocean enthusiasts eager to deepen their understanding of the coastline they call home. The program emphasizes that a background in maritime history is not required — the training itself is part of the adventure, giving participants a guided introduction to the Santa Barbara Channel’s maritime story and the museum’s approach to sharing it.
“Our volunteer program is a perfect fit for individuals who are passionate about history, education, or the ocean,” said SBMM Youth Education and Volunteer Manager Nova Jesswein. “Whether you’re retired, a student, or somewhere in between, you’ll find community here — and plenty of opportunities to learn and have fun.”
Training begins March 17, 2026 at 9 a.m. at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, located at 113 Harbor Way, Suite 190. Participants will explore the foundational threads of Santa Barbara Channel maritime history, learn how to interpret exhibits in engaging and visitor-friendly ways, and receive behind-the-scenes insights that bring the museum’s collections and storytelling process to life. Training also includes practical instruction in guest engagement, education support, and special events — skills that help volunteers feel confident and prepared whether they are guiding a visitor through an exhibit, assisting a school group, or supporting a community gathering.
Beyond the training itself, SBMM volunteers become part of an “ocean-minded” community. Volunteers build friendships, connect with staff and fellow docents, and enjoy ongoing learning opportunities through periodic refreshers and behind-the-scenes moments. The museum also hosts volunteer appreciation gatherings to recognize the time and care volunteers contribute throughout the year.
For SBMM, the volunteer program is a way of expanding the museum’s mission through community participation. When volunteers share a story, answer a curious question, or help a young visitor discover something new, they help strengthen the connection between Santa Barbara and its working harbor, coastal heritage, and marine environment.
Space in the training program is limited, and prospective volunteers are encouraged to apply early. Interested individuals can learn more about what the program includes and apply online at sbmm.org/volunteer. Questions can be directed to Nova Jesswein at njesswein@sbmm.org or (805) 456-8748.
About the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
Founded in 2000, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum presents and interprets the rich maritime history of the Santa Barbara Channel. Through interactive exhibits, educational programs, and hands-on activities, the museum inspires a deeper understanding and love of the sea, the land, and the people of this region.
Media Contact: Heather Behrens, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum | (805) 456-8751 | hbehrens@sbmm.org | sbmm.org