Volunteer Camp Host Opportunities in State Parks – Page 2
Volunteer camphosting is an excellent way to live in some of the most beautiful places in the United States with a free site and utilities in exchange for a few hours of work. Not only are you providing a valuable community service, but you also benefit financially as well.
Nebraska State Parks
From their web page:
Campground Hosts Program
Are you an avid camper? Would you like to share your expertise with others and contribute to the enjoyment of your state park areas? If so, check out the Game and Parks Commission’s Campground Host program.
Nebraska Campground Hosts are volunteers, who serve without pay, to share their camping know-how and love of the outdoors. They welcome visitors, acquaint them with park facilities, and act as liaisons with the Commission’s parks staff. It is an opportunity to develop some lasting friendships while contributing to the betterment of Nebraska’s park system. Hosts receive free camping, with electrical hookups, and, where available, use of the area’s shower facilities. Not all Campground Host areas have showers. Hosts must supply their own camping equipment.
Click here to visit the Nebraska State Parks page.
Nevada State Parks
From their web page:
Nevada State Parks needs volunteers! Volunteers provide a wide range of useful services to benefit both the parks and the visiting public. Campground hosts camp at a park for extended periods of time and provide general services such as greeting the public, providing information, cleaning the campground/facilities, fee system compliance checks, reporting any problems to the park rangers, and other related duties. The Campground Hosts usually locate “their” trailer or recreational vehicle (RV) in a campsite close to the campground’s entrance.
Other volunteers may provide services like those of the campground host. Work assignments may include a number of services and interpretive functions. These should be based on the individual volunteer’s knowledge, skills and interests. Groups such as scouts, civic and garden clubs often volunteer for special projects. These can include trail building, litter cleanup, fence construction, etc.
Click here to visit the Nevada State Parks page.
New Mexico State Parks
From their web page:
Park Resident Volunteers…
receive a FREE campsite (with utility hookups where available) and hands-on training by experienced park staff. In exchange, a commitment of 24 hours a week per provided campsite is required. A two-month term of service is strongly encouraged. Schedules are flexible based on park needs and volunteer availability.
Click here to visit the New Mexico State Parks Volunteers page.
New York State Parks
From their web page:
The Camper Assistance Program (CAP) offers seasoned campers an opportunity to share their expertise and love of the outdoors with other people at campgrounds in parks throughout New York operated by the State’s Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
In return, CAP volunteers receive a free camping site.
CAP volunteers serve in a variety of ways…
welcoming campers and helping to enrich their camping experience;
helping new campers learn the “ways of the woods.”
familiarizing campers with park programs and regulations;
assisting with recreation and nature programming;
checking and stocking facilities between the visits of regular maintenance crews;
setting an example by being model campers, practicing good housekeeping around their site, and adhering to park rules and regulations;
acquainting patrons with the varied activities and facilities in the park and in the surrounding area.
Here’s how CAP works:
Anyone can participate in the CAP program. All you need be is a seasoned camper, at least 18 years of age, willing to help others, and able to spend a minimum of two weeks at one of the participating state park campgrounds.
CAP volunteers serve for a minimum of two, maximum of four weeks, usually between Memorial Day and Labor Day at the park manager’s discretion. They are on duty five days per week, including weekends and holidays. CAPs will be asked to work only two to five hours per day, but they may be on call at all times. In return for their services, they receive a free camping site during their duty. Additional campers may accompany the volunteer, within normal park rules.
You will have to contact each New York State Park directly to apply for a Host position.
Click here for a listing of New York State Parks.
North Dakota State Parks
From their web page:
Campground Host Program
In exchange for working a one to three-month period, hosts receive free, full-service camping for the duration of their stay.
Click here to visit the North Dakota State Parks Camp Host page.
Ohio State Parks
From their web page:
Campground Host – Those who enjoy camping and meeting people are invited to apply for Host positions in parks with a campground. In exchange for 20 hours of work per week, they receive a complimentary campsite. Duties include greeting campers, helping them at their site, beautifying, special events, and being a model camper, and setting an excellent example for others. This is a great opportunity for a couple that loves camping to work side by side.
Click here to visit the Ohio State Parks Volunteer Program
Oregon State Parks
From their web page:
All park hosts – campground, program, and caretaker – share the same benefits package, which includes:
- Campsite – Hosts are required to live and work in the park, and will be provided a campsite free of charge.
- Provided supplies – Uniforms, including caps, vests, pins, and name tags.
- Recognition – Any host volunteering 1,000 or more hours of service is entitled to a recognition pin. Service bars are added every 2,000 hours, up to 12,000.
- Gatherings – A weekend campout for hosts – The Host Rendezvous – is held every two years. Hosts gather to discuss current needs and issues, participate in informal training sessions, and have a good time.
- Insurance – Workers’ Compensation and tort liability insurance is provided by OPRD when you serve as a volunteer. All hosts are covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance while on duty. This insurance is to help pay damage claims and medical expenses. All OPRD volunteers are covered by the State of Oregon for civil liability. This protects volunteers from being liable for claims of negligence or injury to others under these conditions: you are working on a state agency task assigned by an authorized supervisor, you limit your actions to the duties assigned, and you perform your duties in good faith and do not act in a reckless manner or with the intent to inflict harm on others. OPRD does not provide personal property insurance. It is strongly recommended you have all personal property covered by your own insurance. OPRD will not, and cannot, replace any lost, stolen, or damaged property.
Click here to visit the Oregon State Parks Camp Host page.
Pennsylvania State Parks
From their web page:
Campground Hosts
Do you like. . .
. . . Camping in a beautiful area and meeting interesting people?
. . . Free use of a campground host site? (Many have electric, water and sewer hookup.)
. . . Worker’s compensation if injured while working?
. . . Helping others?
. . . then the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks has a volunteer position for you. Be a campground host.
Volunteer campground hosts must be available to set up camp for two weeks or more periods and be available five days a week, eight hours a day, including holidays and weekends. The eight hours in a day will probably be staggered to accommodate heavy use times, leaving you time to hike or swim or pursue other hobbies and activities.
After a short park orientation and service effectiveness training course, you’re ready to start helping others enjoy Pennsylvania State Parks while having fun.
Click here to visit the Pennsylvania State Parks Volunteer Program.
South Carolina State Parks
From their web page:
Campground Host Program
The campground host program is a successful part of the “Volunteers in Parks” program. It is conducted only at parks with a campground operation, a qualified volunteer, and where the district manager has determined a campground host will serve a genuine need of the park.
The primary objective of the campground host is to serve as a park representative, providing information and assistance to park visitors. The campground host also assists with other campground operations, as determined necessary.
The host will be required to provide a minimum of four hours per day, five days a week. This program usually begins around March and usually terminates around November. Campground hosts must be in good health and physical condition and must be able to deal tactfully and cordially with the public.
Click here to visit the South Carolina State Parks Volunteer Program.
South Dakota State Parks
From their web page:
Work Schedule
Campground hosts each work a minimum of 24 hours per week (including weekends and holidays) for a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 90 days performing a variety of visitor service and light maintenance duties (see below). Hosts are considered “on-call” at all times of the day or night. Hosts will take time off sometime Monday through Thursday. All hosts will have specific duties and scheduled times to work.
Accommodations
Hosts are provided a free campsite located in or near the campgrounds. Each site has electrical hook-ups. A few parks have full hook-ups for Hosts. Hosts provide their own housing, personal items, and transportation.
Click here to visit the South Dakota State Parks Camp Host page.
Tennessee State Parks
From their web page:
Volunteer Campground Hosts – Individuals interested in becoming a Volunteer Campground Host should contact the Park Manager for the park they are interested in. For any given park, notices shall be posted in the camper’s check-in and sent to local camping clubs.
Campground host applications are available from the parks participating in this program.
615-532-5249.
Click here to visit the Tennessee State Parks Volunteer Program web page for available openings.
Texas State Parks
From their web page:
Park Host Program
Park Hosts are volunteers who supplement park staff and serve as a representative of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Hosts greet campers and give assistance to park visitors and park staff.
Where do Hosts serve?
More than fifty State Parks have Host positions available. These parks are located throughout the state in a variety of scenic settings. Most parks have opportunities for fishing, hiking, viewing wildlife, and other recreational activities. Each park has its own unique features and special qualities.
When are Hosts needed?
The use of Park Hosts depends on the visitation at each park. Hosts are used seasonally in some, and at all times of the year in others. Hosts usually serve a minimum of one month; this may be extended with the approval of the Park Superintendent.
What are the duties of a Host?
The primary duty of the Park Host is to assist park visitors by providing information. Hosts will need to become familiar with park regulations and points of interest in and near the park. Hosts may also be asked to perform duties such as litter collection and light maintenance. Hosts will serve about 25 hours per week and be given days when they will not be on duty. In addition, as a representative of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Hosts should maintain their campsite in an orderly manner. Hosts will not perform law enforcement duties.
It’s easy to volunteer!
As full-time volunteers, all camping and entrance fees are waived for park hosts. Host sites have water and electrical hookups, and many furnish sewer hookups as well. Hosts will be trained by park staff, and uniform items are provided to identify them as park volunteers.
Click here for more information about the Texas State Parks Host Program.
Utah State Parks
From their web page:
Camphosts Greet park visitors and provide information regarding the park and surrounding areas. Collect user fees. Assist in the maintenance, cleaning, and general upkeep of the campground. Oversee campground activities to deter any vandalism from occurring. Most of our parks have full hookups for campground hosts in exchange for 30 or more hours a week of volunteer efforts.
Click here for current openings for the Utah State Parks Host Program.
Vermont State Parks
From their web page:
Camping Volunteers
Camping volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum 6-week stay. Volunteers work 30 hours per week and receive free use of a campsite with hookups (most have water, electric, and sewer), propane refills, free admission to State Parks, and discounted or free admission to many Vermont tourist attractions. Volunteers provide their own self-contained camping equipment. All staff with pets abide by Park Pet Regulations and set an example for our guests.
Camping Volunteers are provided with identification and staff uniforms. When necessary, volunteers can be reimbursed for mileage when incurred on official business. Duties and schedules vary and are set by the Park Ranger (manager) at a specific park depending on the needs of the park, staff, and volunteers. Generally, volunteers work between 3-5 days per week and receive consecutive days off.
Click here for the application form for the Vermont State Parks Host Program.
Virginia State Parks
From their web page:
Become a Virginia State Parks Campground Host or Park Host. It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself and Virginia’s outdoors. Camp for free for 30-90 days at any of 19 participating parks, natural areas and historic sites across the state in exchange for volunteer services.
Click here to visit the Virginia State Parks Volunteer page.
Washington State Parks
From their web page:
Volunteer hosts help park staff with routine visitor services such as greeting guests, answering questions, and dispensing information in exchange for free camping or boat moorage. (See “Volunteer Benefits” below.) Hosts are used in campgrounds, marine parks, interpretive centers and programs, and Environmental Learning Centers.
Campground Hosts receive free campsite and utility hookups at the park where they volunteer (minimum 30-day stay with a commitment of 28 hours each week per host site).
Marine Park Hosts receive free boat moorage at the park where they volunteer (minimum 14-day stay).
Click here to visit the Washington State Parks Volunteer page.
West Virginia State Parks
From their web page:
West Virginia State Parks Campground Host Program
Benefits include:
Free campsite with electric and water hook-up (where available) at the park/forest or wildlife management area.
Free use of other recreational facilities at the sponsoring park. All benefits are at the discretion of the park superintendent.
Duties may include:
- Greet, welcome, answer questions, and orient campers to the facilities and local area.
- Understand and be able to explain general rules and regulations to campers.
- Set an example for other campers by keeping the host site neat and clean.
- Help with the day-to-day operations of the campground.
- Assist with campground maintenance, pick up litter, light janitorial duties, maintenance, bathroom cleaning, and replenishing of restroom supplies.
- Assist with check-in of campers.
Click here to visit the West Virginia State Parks Volunteer page.
Wisconsin State Parks
From their web page:
Campground hosts set an example by being model campers, practicing good housekeeping, and obeying all rules and regulations. Hosts live in a free campsite at the campground for an extended time and volunteer a few hours a day. As a representative of the Department of Natural Resources, a host:
Greets new visitors
Hands out literature
Answers questions about the property and local area
Performs minor maintenance tasks
Shares camping experiences
Assists other campers as needed
Is alert to visitor’s needs, comments, complaints, etc.
Most Wisconsin state parks with campgrounds have hosts. Campground hosts are selected based on interests and familiarity with the park system, camping experience, customer service experience, and knowledge of the surrounding area. If you’re interested in becoming one, send a volunteer application to the park or forest where you’d like to work.
Click here for Wisconsin State Parks Volunteer Page.
Wyoming State Parks
There are numerous volunteer opportunities in Wyoming State parks.
Click here to see a list of current Wyoming State Park Volunteers needed.
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