Volunteer Camp Host Opportunities in State Parks
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.
Alabama State Parks
From their web page:
Among the volunteer opportunities are campground hosts and campground activity directors. Hosts usually serve for one month at a time and are provided a complimentary campsite during the period they serve. Their duties may include guest assistance, maintenance, security, and helping park staff with other tasks. The Campground Activity Director schedules and conducts entertainment and activities in the campground for the campers. Activities usually take place on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer months. Contact the park in which you would like to volunteer.
Bladon Springs…………..251-754-9207
Blue Springs ………………334-397-4875
Buck’s Pocket……………..256-659-2000
Cathedral Caverns………256-728-8193
Chattahoochee…………..334-522-3607
Cheaha……………………..256-488-5111
Chewacla…………………..334-887-5621
Chickasaw…………………334-295-8230
Claude D. Kelley………….251-862-2511
DeSoto………………………256-845-0051
Florala ………………………334-858-6425
Frank Jackson…………….334-493-6988
Gulf…………………………..251-948-7275
Lake Guntersville………..256-571-5444
Lake Lurleen………………205-339-1558
Lakepoint…………………..334-687-6676
Meaher……………………..251-626-5529
Monte Sano……………….256-534-3757
Oak Mountain……………205-620-2524
Paul M. Grist………………334-872-5846
Rickwood Caverns………205-647-9692
Roland Cooper …………..334-682-4838
Joe Wheeler……………….256-247-5466
Wind Creek………………..256-329-0845
Alaska State Parks
From their web page:
What is a Campground Host’s Season?
The camping season in Alaska is generally from mid-May through mid-September. Some campgrounds have extended seasons and a couple are open year-round. Hosts are requested to volunteer 35 to 40 hours per week for at least four to six weeks. Hosts may stay the entire season and some areas may rotate hosts among campgrounds for a broader experience. Rangers will try to balance a host’s schedule with visitor season demands. The minimum time commitment and length of season for a specific position is listed under the Season category with each position description.
Where Do Hosts Live?
Volunteer hosts live in their own RV, motorhome, or trailer, at a special campsite. Because campground hosts are the “ambassadors” for Alaska State Parks, their “residence” must be neat and well-maintained. Alaska State Park campgrounds are rustic but clean and beautiful. Each campsite has a parking pad, a picnic table, and a firepit. Each campground has water, latrines, and refuse containers. Some host locations have access to telephone and electricity.
Click here to visit the Alaska State Parks Volunteer page.
Arizona State Parks
From their web page:
Campground Host Volunteers’ primary responsibility is to assist park visitors. This includes greeting visitors, helping them get settled, answering questions, receiving comments, communicating park rules and regulations, and possibly collecting fees. Campground Hosts are also expected to be observant for activities within the park that require immediate attention by staff and/or outside emergency support. Hosts provide their own lodging (tent, camper, trailer, motorhome) and are provided a free campsite, most often with utility hookups. The Park Manager or his/her designee will approve specific duty hours and assignments. The Park Manager or his/her designee will approve any change in duty schedules.
Click here to visit the Arizona State Parks Volunteer page.
Arkansas State Parks
There is not a specific volunteer page for Arkansas State Parks. Your best bet is to directly contact each park and see what program they have to offer.
Start your research by clicking on this Arkansas State Parks link.
California State Parks
From their web page:
Camp host duties vary according to each park but generally include providing visitor information, staffing visitor centers and museums, maintenance projects, and general housekeeping. Most hosts work approximately 20 hours a week and, in exchange for those services, the hosts are provided with a campsite during their stay.
Click here to visit the California State Parks Volunteer page.
Colorado State Parks
From their web page:
Do you like to spend time in the great outdoors of Colorado? Do you care about our environment and protecting our natural resources? If so, Colorado State Parks is for you! We need your help as a volunteer to increase the public’s understanding of conservation and natural resources by serving as a park naturalist, campground host, photographer, special events assistant, trail host, and much, much more.
Click here to visit the Colorado State Parks page.
Delaware State Parks
From their web page:
Camp Host Benefits
Admission to all Delaware State Parks after 50 hours of service
Campsite with renewable agreement
Discount on merchandise purchases
Opportunity to learn or expand knowledge of area historical, wildlife, and environment features
Park and staff events
Personal satisfaction in creating a memorable experience for visitors and providing education about our natural resources.
Recognition
Special events
Training Opportunities
Uniform
Click here to visit the Delaware State Parks Camp Host page.
Florida State Parks
From their web page:
Campground hosts are “special” volunteers who aid the managers of a state park camping area. They answer campers’ questions, help with maintenance, and are available for late-night emergencies. In return, campground hosts get a free campsite and the satisfaction of performing an important and much-needed job.
More information about Park Resident and Campground Hosting https://www.floridastateparks.org/volunteers
To browse opportunities and to apply https://volunteers.floridastateparks.org/
Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites
From their web page:
The campground host program is one of our most popular volunteer opportunities. In exchange for a free campsite and utilities, campground hosts volunteer to meet and greet arriving campers, offer check-in assistance, perform minor maintenance tasks and meet visitors from all over the world.
Hosts volunteer for a minimum of two months up to a maximum of six months. Hosts contribute a minimum of 24 hours per week per couple.
Click here to visit the Georgia State Parks Volunteer page.
Idaho State Parks
From their web page:
Campground Hosts are park ambassadors. They perform a variety of tasks such as greeting visitors and handing out information, replacing restroom supplies, cleaning campsites, picking up litter, and informing the rangers about potential problems. Hosts serve as official greeters and must like people, be courteous, outgoing, and helpful to all park visitors. Host volunteers need to be physically capable of performing these duties.
You will be scheduled to work varied days and hours, not to exceed 40 hours per week. Hosts are asked to give full attention to their volunteer effort by not accepting employment outside the park during their stay as hosts. We ask for at least a 30-day commitment, however, some assignments can also be for the entire camping season if desired.
We supply campground hosts with …..
Free camping with hookups and a sign for your campsite
A Volunteer Orientation Guidebook about Idaho State Parks
A uniform designating your status as a volunteer – consisting of a cap, vest, patch, and name tag
Training by State Park personnel
Insurance for job-related medical costs
All you need to provide is your own Recreational Vehicle (RV).
Click here to visit the Idaho State Parks Volunteer page.
Illinois State Parks
The web page for the state’s camp host program is very sparse. On their web page, you may download a job description, application, or apply online.
Click here to go to the Illinois Camp Host page.
Indiana State Parks
From their web page:
Campground Host/Volunteers In Parks(VIP)
The Division of State Parks and Reservoirs offers these volunteer programs that include free or reduced camping fees. Properties may choose to offer either/or both programs, depending on their needs and site availability.
You will need to directly contact the individual State Park where you are interested in being a Camp Host.
Click here to view a listing of Indiana State Parks.
Iowa State Parks
From their web page:
Goal: Campground hosts work with park rangers to ensure that campers have the best experience possible in our Iowa state parks. Live-in hosts provide a friendly presence in our campgrounds, perform valuable work, and act as models for other campers.
Sample Activities: Answering questions, explaining rules and regulations, helping with registration, directing people to points of interest, litter control, light maintenance, and added responsibilities in partnership with site supervisor.
Timeframe: At the discretion of the volunteer, and as the park’s schedule allows.
Worksite: State park campgrounds
Benefits: Designated free campsite in the part with a host sign; host cap or pin, volunteer awards, and recognition from the DNR and the state of Iowa for valuable service performed.
Requirements: From May through September, the campground host volunteer serves as a “live-in” host at a state park or state forest campground for at least a four-week period. A host’s primary responsibility is to assist campers by answering questions and explaining rules that apply to them in a cheerful and helpful manner.
- Volunteers should be familiar with state part and forest campground rules and the reasoning behind them.
- Volunteers need to become familiar with local points of interest and the location where local services can be obtained; e.g., gas, bait, groceries.
- Volunteers perform light maintenance work around the campground such as litter pickup, sweeping and stocking of supplies in vault toilet building; and making emergency minor repairs when possible, and various other duties.
- State park volunteers may be requested to assist in the naturalist’s campground program.
- Volunteers will take no law enforcement measure other than being observant and advising users of unintentional infractions. Flagrant violators will be reported to state park personnel or the area forester responsible for the campground. Hosts may be asked to serve as a witness for flagrant violations that have been observed.
- Volunteers will set an example by being model campers, practicing good housekeeping at all times in and around the host site, and observing all rules.
Campground host on-duty hours will be mutually agreed upon between the campground manager and the host.
Applications will be accepted all summer. Please send complete applications to the park manager.
Click here to visit the Iowa Camp Host page.
Kansas State Parks
From their web page:
VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are always needed at the state parks. Please call or visit the park if you’re interested by late winter or early spring.
You will need to go to the Kansas State Parks home page and click on individual parks listed on their map and get the phone number of the park you are interested in. Call the individual park directly for volunteer information.
Click here to visit the Kansas State Parks page.
Louisiana State Parks
The Louisiana Volunteer Camp Host page has a link where you can download a PDF document that gives detailed information about their Camp Host program.
Click here to visit the Louisiana Camp Host page. It is easier to right-click on their “CLICK HERE” and choose to save to your desktop rather than waiting for the PDF document to download.
Maine State Parks
From their web page:
Maine Volunteers in Parks
“Making a Difference…”
A Partnership in the Care of Maine’s Great Resources
What is MVP?
MVP (Maine Volunteers in Parks) is a program designed to assist the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands in preserving our cultural and natural resources while providing for public use and enjoyment. There are many varied kinds of volunteer assignments providing volunteers an opportunity to accomplish projects and activities they enjoy.
Discover the Volunteer Spirit
Maine Volunteers in Parks are a welcome addition to our State Park System. While experiencing personal benefits such as companionship, a sense of responsibility, work experience, and learning new skills, MVPs help to enhance the quality and provide a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors to Maine state parks and historic sites. Whether you’re interested in photography, history, art, maintenance work, public relations, or office work, the MVP program can provide you with a meaningful volunteer experience.
Campground Host
Be a “resident” volunteer that assists visitors at our State Park campgrounds
Click here to visit the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Volunteer page.
Maryland State Parks
From their web page:
Become a volunteer Camp Host and help keep campgrounds clean and in good condition. In return for your generous efforts, you’ll receive a free campsite.
Click here to visit the Maryland State Parks Camp Host page.
Michigan State Parks
From their web page:
Host Benefits
A Campground Host is a volunteer. An attractive benefit is free camping while providing volunteer services within a Michigan State campground. Also, you have the experience of living in Michigan’s beautiful natural and historic areas.
Hosts can be individuals or teams such as a wife and husband. The schedules of our Volunteer Hosts allow them ample time to enjoy recreational activities with friends and family members. Hosts will have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and perhaps develop new friendships. One of the most important benefits Hosts receive is a sense of satisfaction that comes in knowing you have helped make the camping experience more enjoyable for other campers.
Hosts Services
The primary responsibility of a Campground Host is to assist campers by answering questions and explaining rules in a pleasant and helpful manner. As a representative of the Michigan state park and state forest campground system, the Volunteer Campground Host will provide the following kinds of services:
Greet new campers.
Distribute interpretative information
Answer questions about the local area
Arrange campground activities such as camper coffee hours, kids fishing derbies, campfire sing-a-long and berry picking.
Perform other services depending on your capabilities and the campground facilities where assigned.
Volunteer Campground Hosts take no law enforcement measures other than being observant and notifying park staff of problems. Our Volunteer Hosts are easily recognizable by their official vests, shirts, hats and nametags.
Required Activities
The following duties are required of each Campground Host:
Weekly Host Camper Coffee Hour (supplies provided)
Provide or Assist with a Weekly Activity
Daily Walk/Bike Tour of Campground
Loan Equipment (provided)
Construct and/or Maintain Bulletin Board
Create and/or Update Local Attractions Directory
Complete a Weekly Work Schedule
Post Hosts’ Schedule and In/Out Sign
Attend Host Training (State Park Hosts only)
Minimum Requirements
Willing to provide services five days each week, including weekends and holidays (totaling approximately 30 hours per occupant).
Expected to serve a four consecutive week minimum period
May not be a DNR employee
Must provide your own camping unit, equipment, and personal items for your own stay.
Volunteer Campground Hosts are selected by state park and state forest managers. Managers may require an interview or request additional information on prospective volunteers. Selection is based on familiarity with the Michigan Campground System, camping experience, special skills, availability, knowledge of the surrounding area, and needs of the park.
Click here to visit the Michigan State Parks Camp Host page.
Minnesota State Parks
From their web page:
Campground Host program
If you love camping and the outdoors, have a genuine interest in protecting natural resources, and are willing to assist other campers, you’d make an ideal campground host.
Campground Hosts will be required to provide services for four to five days of the week, including weekends and holidays. They may be off-duty two to three weekdays. Workdays and days off will be agreed to by the campground manager and the host.
Click here to visit the Minnesota State Parks Camp Host page.
Mississippi State Parks
The State of Mississippi web page provides no specific Camp Host information other than answering a question positively about whether volunteers were needed. Contact each State Park individually to see if there is a current need for a volunteer Camp Host.
Click here for a list of Mississippi State Parks.
Missouri State Parks
From their web page:
Campground Host
You may serve as a “live-in” host at one of our state park or historic site campgrounds. Your duties may include assisting campers by answering questions, performing light maintenance work, and helping with campground activities. Campground hosts serve in return for use of a campsite.
Click here to visit the Missouri State Parks Volunteers page.
Montana State Parks
The State of Montana has its volunteer Camp Host positions listed on the Campground Hosts web page.
Click here to view current openings for Montana State Parks Campground Host positions.
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