Membership

Become a Center Member!

Only with the support of members and donors can the important mission of the Center be accomplished. Membership at the San Diego Archaeological Center helps you to save our history and heritage and entitles you to special benefits, such as free admission to the Museum, invitations to member events, discounts on lectures and workshops, and behind-the-scenes tours.

Purchase Membership

Membership can also be purchased over the phone at 760-291-0370 or by sending a check to the following address:

San Diego Archaeological Center
Attn: Membership
16666 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido, CA 92027

Note: Current SDAC Members will receive membership benefits upon renewal.

Membership Levels & Benefits

Membership Benefits for Individual ($50)
Includes membership for 1 individual

  • Free museum admission
  • Discount on event tickets
  • Member newsletter
  • SDAC decal
  • Borrowing privileges for SDAC Reference Library
  • Reciprocal admission to 40+ museums in San Diego County during The Big Exchange

Membership Benefits for Dual ($85)
Includes membership for up to 2 individuals (2nd individual can be listed as Guest of Member)

  • All of the above benefits plus
  • 2 guest passes to the museum
  • Invitation to member events

Membership Benefits for Household ($150)
Includes membership for up to 3 individuals (3rd individual can be listed as Guest of Member)

  • All of the above benefits plus
  • 2 additional guest passes to the museum (4 passes total)
  • SDAC lanyard
  • Free gift with gift shop purchases of $100+
  • ROAM reciprocal membership to museums outside of 25-mile radius

Membership Benefits for Steward ($300)
Includes membership for up to 3 individuals (2nd and/or 3rd individual(s) can be listed as Guest of Member)

  • All of the above benefits plus
  • 2 complimentary member event tickets
  • SDAC tote bag
  • Choice of 1 of the following:
    • SDAC t-shirt
    • SDAC bandana
    • Complimentary Dual membership to give as gift
    • Behind the scenes tour for 2 guests
    • Behind the scenes tour gift certificate for 2 guests

Membership Benefits for Benefactor ($500)
Includes membership for up to 3 individuals (2nd and/or 3rd individual(s) can be listed as Guest of Member)

  • All of the above benefits plus
  • Invitation to VIP member events
  • Choice of 1 of the following:
    • Signed copy of book from lecture or gift shop
    • Behind the scenes tour for 4 guests
    • Behind the scenes tour gift certificate for 4 guests
    • 2 complimentary Annual BBQ tickets

Membership Benefits for Patron ($1,000)
Includes membership for up to 3 individuals (2nd and/or 3rd individual(s) can be listed as Guest of Member)

  • All of the above benefits plus
  • Discount on renting SDAC classroom/museum space
  • Choice of 1 of the following:
    • Sponsorship privileges for 1 classroom outreach program
    • Lunch with an archaeologist
    • Field visit to an archaeological site

Exhibitions

Exhibitions Volunteers assist with the design, construction, and installation of Center Museum exhibits.

Volunteers work in the Center’s Research Library, cataloguing materials and organizing on a computer-based system.

Marketing and Administrative Volunteers assist the Development Office or Administration Office with data entry, updating marketing materials and clerical tasks. Computer experience is a plus.

Docents welcome visitors and answer general questions regarding the Center and exhibits. Docents staff the gift shop and help out with administrative and curatorial tasks.

Volunteers support event activities at the Center, such as the Annual BBQ, lectures, workshops, and fundraising events. Be a part of the party!

Volunteer provide support for K-12 programs offered at the Center. These are fun, hands-on programs that kids really enjoy. Teaching experience is a plus, but not required. Background checks are required.

Photogrammetry

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will use photogrammetry to prepare one or more archaeological collections for digital preservation, as well as create a virtual museum exhibit for our Public Archaeology department. Per approval, special projects of the intern’s choosing are also available. During the research and planning, the intern will receive guidance as appropriate to their selected project. Prospective interns should already be familiar with photogrammetric procedures, and Agisoft Metashape.

Collections Management

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. During the course of the internship, the intern will learn to identify artifacts and ecofacts common to the San Diego region, including lithics, ceramics, historical objects, and faunal, botanical, and mineral specimens. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and preventative conservation. In addition, the intern will become familiar with historical trends in archaeological practice in the San Diego area and will be introduced to current legal and ethical issues in archaeological curation as well as the concerns and rights of culturally affiliated groups with regard to archaeological materials.

Development and Marketing

Under the direction of Center staff, the intern will support the department in various activities, including, but not limited to, fundraising and grant research; e-newsletter development; social media marketing; and website maintenance. This internship will give the intern valuable, real-world experience in non-profit fundraising and marketing.

Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology

Prospective Interns must have completed three courses: Introduction to GIS, GIS Database Management, and Intermediate/Advanced Methods in GIS. The intern will be assigned a project where they will create shapefiles and maps for curated archaeological collections, museum exhibits, and/or public outreach using ArcGIS 10.6. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological GIS laboratory procedures such as computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and database management.

Library Science

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will arrange and catalog materials in the Center’s library. During the course of the internship, the intern will take a leading role in the cataloging, sorting and storing of research files and creating user guides for these collections. Center staff will instruct the intern on archival procedures, computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.

Public Archaeology

Harness your passion for Public Archaeology and gain hands-on experience with K-12 museum field trips, lectures, and public outreach. Additional projects may include creating virtual museum exhibits and activities, assisting in the development and implementation of K-12 curricula programs, planning and presenting public facing content, or educational field trip content of your own design. Must be able to pass a Live Scan.