Help us keep the lights open while living the dream inside a lighthouse!
Become a Volunteer Lighthouse Keeper
Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association (SPLKA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization seeking to preserve and promote Big Sable Point, Little Sable Point, Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse, and White River Light Station. Our organization offers a variety of opportunities for which members can volunteer for 1-2 week resident keeping commitments (tour of service), day keeping shifts, events, and restoration projects.
What volunteer keeper opportunities are available at each light?
- Big Sable Point Lighthouse: 2 week tour
- Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse: 1 week tour & full or half day shifts
- Little Sable Point Lighthouse: 1 week tour & full or half day shifts
- White River Light Station & Museum: Full or half day shifts
For those who sign up for resident keeping, we provide overnight accommodations either on-site or at a nearby residence in the Ludington State Park or Silver Lake State Park depending on the light for which you are volunteering. For Little Sable and Ludington N. Breakwater resident keepers, it is just a short commute to the lighthouses from your residence, where you can enjoy the sand dunes and evergreen forests on your way to work at Lake Michigan among friends. Pets of any kind are not permitted in any SPLKA residence.
We know that summers are busy for many. Our day keeping program offers flexible volunteer opportunities. If you are local or unable to commit to a 1- or 2-week tour, day keeping is perfect for those who would like to be involved but may have a limited schedule. We encourage those who live locally to join our day keeping program!
Most volunteer opportunities are available April-October.
What are the keeper's duties?
Resident and day keepers are responsible for a variety of tasks including: welcoming guests, historical interpretation, using the cash register to sell tower climb admissions and merchandise in the gift shop, gift shop inventory and stocking, cleaning, and grounds work.
What are the requirements for volunteering?
You must be a member to volunteer with SPLKA. Please take a look through our membership brochure to find the right membership for you.
Our resident and day keeper volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. All resident keepers will need to submit a Resident Keeper Fee payment, which helps us to pay for residence supplies such as toilet paper, cleaning products, etc. First-year resident keepers will be required to submit a background check before they arrive for their tours. An invitation to complete the background check will be sent by the Operations Manager once your volunteer application is processed. Please note, applicants are responsible for the cost of the background check.
All volunteers are also required to attend our annual Spring Training every 3 years. Spring Training is hosted in a hybrid format, meaning volunteers can attend in-person or synchronously online via Zoom. Spring Training is also recorded and distributed to those who are unable to attend in-person or online the day of to watch on their own time. Invitations for Spring Training are sent by the Operations Manager in April.
When can we sign up to Volunteer?
Our volunteer opportunities are available on a first come first serve basis at the discretion of the Operations Manager or WRLS Curator. Each year, applications open in October for the following season. Our membership is always the first to know; an email notification will be sent to our membership when volunteer applications become available. All applications are stamped with the date they are received by SPLKA. Please note, applications submitted without an up-to-date membership, necessary payments, and any additional required materials are considered incomplete.
Applications can be submitted online or mailed to PO Box 673, Ludington, MI 49431. You can electronically fill and submit your application by clicking the buttons below.
Application Checklist:
- Become a member of SPLKA or renew your existing membership. Please visit our Members page for more information.
- Fill out an application for either day keeping or resident keeping (or both!).
- Resident Keeper applicants: Pay the Resident Keeper Fee, you can do this online at the bottom of this page.
- First-time applicants only: Submit a brief summary of past or current volunteer/work experiences and any special skills as well as two (2) letters of reference to office@splka.org.
Please note, all application materials must be submitted for your application to be processed.
2024 Resident Keeper Application Coming Soon!
2024 Day Keeper Application Coming Soon!
