6310 Georgetown Pike •  McLean, VA 22101 •  703-442-7557

A visit to the Claude Moore Colonial Farm is a visit to another world ...the world of an 18th Century family living on a small,
low-income farm just prior to the Revolutionary War.

The year is 1771 ... won't you come and visit?

Girls in colonial clothing preparing food

The Apprentice Program

Through the Apprentice Program, youth volunteers aged 10 to 17 portray colonial children for the Farm's visitors, as well as doing such behind-the-scenes work as helping in the office, cleaning animal pens, and tending greenhouse crops.

Apprentices must attend an Orientation for the Apprentice Program and provide their own 18th century clothing in accordance with the Farm's clothing standards. Parents who complete 10 hours of volunteer work receive a $50 rebate off the $90 annual program fee. Apprentices are required to volunteer at least once per month from April through November. They may volunteer more often, and throughout the winter months, but it is not required.

The apprentice season runs year round, though new apprentices are recruited and trained only at the beginning of each year. The deadline has passed for the 2008 season. For information about future seasons, please contact Elizabeth Rolando at erolando@1771.org or 703-442-7557.

A Note to the Prospective Apprentice:

Children in colonial clothing weeding garden

Thank you for your interest in the Claude Moore Colonial Farm's Apprentice Program. This exciting volunteer program will allow you to teach the public about life on a small colonial tenant farm. You will:

  • Dress in colonial clothing and portray the children of the farm.
  • Do daily chores on the farm, including hoeing in the fields, weeding in the garden, and cooking over a hearth fire. (This is hard work!)
  • Learn other skills such as spinning wool, churning butter, splitting wood with a froe, and making candles.
  • Explain your activities to the visiting public.

Three times a year, bustling Market Fairs provide a festive atmosphere for volunteer jobs such as selling colonial wares and teaching colonial games and crafts.

For more information, find out What it's Like to be an Apprentice

If you like to work hard, get dirty, and imagine yourself back in time, you will love being an Apprentice!

Behind-the-scenes work is available as well, such as helping in the office and preparing for special events. If you are only interested in behind-the-scenes work, and you are 12 or older, consider becoming a Youth Support Volunteer instead of an Apprentice. Youth Support Volunteers do not dress in colonial clothing and do not have to pay the fee or attend the Orientation.




Educational Programs - Main Page