Maryland has a great volunteer program, and probably one of the most diverse. But the parks remoteness is an indisputable fact. Additionally, campgrounds may offer hourly wages for work above those hours. As a campground host, you might possibly receive some extras such as firewood or the free use of the campground amenities. Hosts must be at least 18 years of age and able to supply their owner camper. Whether its pouring rain, sleeting, snowing, or extremely cold and windy, a campground host will have to be outside. Most campgrounds will ask for a particular commitment this could be anywhere from 1430 days to an entire season, but it will vary from park to park, so be sure to understand in advance what will be expected of you in terms of a commitment. Do You Really Need A Surge Protector For Your RV? For more information on ways you can grab a job while you travel, also check out our friends at the Penny Pinching Globetrotters who have been workamping for many years and do a great job of providing helpful first hand information! Most campgrounds have full recreational vehicle hookups for hosts, but a few are more limited in utility services (see Campground Information below). The wearing of a VIP uniform identifies campground hosts. I guess I was lucky to have good colleagues and good customers as cleaning the bathrooms was not an issue. Gain outdoorsman skills. The idea of being a Campground Host is that you put it a few hours of work a day and in return, you get a free stay in an awesome location. Camping season in New York is generally between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If that sounds like something you might like, get out there and do it. Georgias hosts are a vital part of their state parks. I think I hesitated thinking it was too good. RV Vacuuming Tips: Use Your Vacuum Like Never Before. The job of a campground host involves many duties that bring you outdoors. If you saw our post on what it means to workamp, you already know that being a campground host is among the most commonly available jobs for campers who are looking to work while they travel. Volunteer hosts make a minimum commitment of 30 days for a specific host assignment. Plus, it looks good on applications to be among the first applicants. In public campgrounds, a standardized background check is necessary, as is a volunteer registration. Lets get started and get you the information you need to learn how to become a campground host so you can lower your camping fees and do more traveling in the near future in your RV! When youre working, youre never off duty. Hosts assist park staff with campground operations and provide a variety of information to visitors including: campground and food storage regulations; safety advisories concerning visitation while in bear and mountain lion country; backcountry camping, hiking, and fishing; National Park and concession facilities; interpretive programs; road conditions; park natural resources and other points of interest. RVs must be self-contained with a bathroom and shower. How to Become a Campground Host document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Start Early. Must be on duty a minimum of 4 hours a day, but are on call in case of emergencies. These are volunteer positions for a non-profit organization, the National Park Service. Click here for a Volunteer in Parks Program (VIPP) application. They also provide information on local services such as gas stations, stores, and medical facilities. Phone: (512) 389-8674. Check out our: While were busy filming Season 5 of The RVers for Discovery and PBS, you can stream previous seasons on Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play. On this RV Lifestyle Travel blog, ourRV Podcastand ourRV Lifestyle YouTube Channel,we mention all sorts of RV-related products and gear that we use, So we created a special page links to them. Each RVer must decide whether the job is appropriate for them. Camp Hosting Job With The National Park Service The National Park Service has a volunteer program called Volunteers-In-Parks. There is a huge variety of opportunities through this database. Texas has a huge need for camping hosts. You may move to another park after volunteering at one. [mc4wp_form id=49345], Your email address will not be published. thanks for sharing this as I had wondered about this for a few years. For example: As a bonus, once a host (or any National Park Service volunteer) works 250 volunteer hours, they are eligible for an annual Volunteer Pass that offers free admission into fee-based federal recreation areas that participate in the Interagency Pass Program. Focusing energy on the application and subsequent follow-ups on the best work camping opportunities means people are more likely to get the workamping jobs they want. You may be reimbursed for the cost of required uniform clothing items. This action protects workamping participants and employers alike, so dont be afraid to get very specific. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 20082023 RV LIFE. Hosts are often thought of as the "eyes and ears" of campgrounds. Camp hosting is not an incredibly lucrative job. The average amount of hours worked by the camp hosts is 20 hours. Campground hosts live in designated sites within the campgrounds and are subject to visits and requests for assistance at all hours of the day. WebCampground Host requirements. 4. I've got a little popular camper and kayak. As a full-time RVer, Ive often wondered how to get a national park camp host job. Satellite TV for RV Use: Your Favorite TV On the Go! When you are RVing, you might already have your eyes set on exploring many different state parks. This means that you could get a knock on your RV door at 2 AM and have to run out and deal with a problem. We have never made a better decision in our whole life! This means lots and lots of people time. Traveling Fulltime in an RV, or any mode of travel for that matter, is an unconventional lifestyle that usually either opens peoples minds on alternative ways of life or gives them an outlet to show their closed-mindedness. 4200 Smith School Rd. Thank you Rene. As a camp host, youll be the first and sometimes only face representing your area. I am sure that was not your intention. Workamping is one way of lowing your travel costs when RVing across the country. Inform the owner. 16-20 hr days are common. The Great Basin crowds are minimal compared to more popular parks. The workamping community is always smaller than people imagine. Camp hosting at Iowa State Parks gives you a ton of opportunities, like attending the well known state fair, experiencing their states record holding produce pork and corn, or taking a trip on the only navigable rivers in the United States the Missouri and Mississippi. As a camp host, youll be the first and sometimes only face representing your area. For these positions they are looking to staff folks who can commit to spending 2-4 weeks at a park. Wow, the employer with your professionalism. Be aware that campground hosts positions are often volunteer. History of Hosting Search our current job openings available in locations across the US managed and operated by Vista Recreation, a leading outdoor concessionaire for public agencies. Click Here to Read More About Camp Hosting at California State Parks. I am seeing some pay. Eventually RVers began to find more work opportunities with additional employers like the Corps of Engineers and private campgrounds who also thought a work trade for RV site was a great deal! All types of work is available, from easy to strenuous. Surely one of the biggest advantages is the fact that theyre able to work together as they travel. I think this is a great idea! California requires an application to be sent to the specific camp you want to volunteer at. This could be considered the peak season in destinations like the Pacific Northwest, Maine and other desirable summer states, and youll need to apply early. In most cases you will pay nothing for the privilege. Camp hosting started off as an easy way to grab a free site, while working a few hours around the campground for a government agency, and it continued that way for years! This is a wonderful plus for campgrounds hosts here! Must be willing to devote a minimum of two weeks to their selected campground. Maybe see you on the road. Knowing when camp host jobs start and end, people can better plan their time and enjoy along the way. Web2. PLEASE NOTE: We're handy RVers, not professional technicians. When campers arrive at or leave the campground, its the job of the camp host to check them in and out. The day was not observed in Call me biased, but I believe thatlife as a camp host is a far more rewarding experience than working in a private RV park. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Email: Volunteer@TPWD.Texas.Gov. Hope you and Jim are well. It was winter so lets see what happens next summer. RVs must be self-contained with a bathroom and shower. A VIP is anyone who performs work for the National Park Service for which they may or may not be reimbursed for some out-of-pocket expenses. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. When we first started interviewing for Workamping jobs we really had no idea what we were doing. Thats worth a lot in itself. We cannot emphasize enough how much starting early helps with any workamping experience. There is a applicant process that requires a federal background check and a finger print verification. Watch the sunrise or catch the elk as they take a stroll through the campground. The Ultimate Guide to Discount RV Memberships for Full-Time RV Living, Maintaining clean restrooms and shower houses. Checking campers in and out at the Ranger Station. Gain outdoorsman skills. Considering what has happened to the NPS over the last couple of years this kind of help might be critical in it staying alive. Camp hostduties & responsibilities will vary based on the entity youre working for, as well as the state, and sometimes the park itself. So do your homework and start with the research! The girls wanted to stop for a while it was winter and nothing to do so we called and asked if they needed help and they did! West Glacier, Montana 59936. Campground Information and Campground Preference Form. Once we receive your paperwork we will maintain it in our Volunteer-In-The-Parks file for supervisory review throughout the current calendar year. Campground hosts are the concierges, as well as public relations, marketing, customer service gurus, and face of the campground. Always consider your own personality (you know yourself best!) WebHow do Campground Hosts serve campground users? Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Decide on the public or private sector. Lets get started and get you the information you need to learn how to become a campground host so you can lower your camping fees and do more traveling in the near future in your RV! Hosts work a minimum of 20 hours per person per week in exchange for free camping for a specified period of time. Its always best to make sure you have your agreed upon terms and in this case the camp host duties laid out in writing before confirming your arrival. They have many state parks and an huge wildlife presence in almost all of them. Web2. RV LIFE Campground Reviews is the most trusted source of campground information in the industry. We cannot emphasize enough how much starting early helps with any workamping experience. Be realistic. WebState Parks How You Can Help Campground Hosts Most Indiana State Parks and State Forests offer opportunities for campground hosts. This is a volunteer only position. Jennifer and I have heard many stories about camp hosts who jumped in and were delighted with the results. How great to see your name on this article, Rene. We are considering it on a part time basis. In fact, it can be fairly horrible at times. If you arent sure where you want to camp host, searching Indeed could be a good starting point. This place is beautiful its right on the lake and just breathtaking campsites. Most campground hosts will live in a trailer or motorhome and, in addition to a free campsite, are also provided utilities or hookups free of charge. The choice of using host for volunteering at one of our National Parks says it all. Visit https://www.work-for-rvers-and-campers.com/help-wanted.html for more information. Visit their website for a list of all the hosting opportunities in Texas. Learn how your comment data is processed. What Do Flamingos and Upside Down Pineapples Mean? If you get hired, working in the parks can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the full-time RVing nomad lifestyle. I will definitely look into volunteering my time in National Parks. Each Monday Mike and Jennifer Wendlandpublish the insiders RV Lifestyle Newsletter, where they share weekly articles about RV travel that inspire and inform. You live with a target on your back. But being historically accurate was not really your point. WebPlease send your Volunteers in Parks Program (VIPP) application directly to the park you are interested in being considered for. So thats exactly what thousands of retirees did. The graded road to get to the campground was not half-bad and easily accessed with even a large RV. I will say I am very proud of all we have done and I wouldnt do it again unless there were lots of money involved lol! Hosts must provide their own RV, camping unit or boat; lodging cannot be provided. You will need to download and complete the following forms: Volunteer Application (360kb pdf) The first thing we should probably note is that campground hosting programs are different from place to place. But the ranger I recently met taught me this isnt always the case. Can I Legally Dump Gray Water on the Ground While RV Camping? As for the TT? Sorry to hear it was so bad. For many, this is a perk, but it could be a negative depending on the weather! What is the time commitment? The majority of the time, the campsite comes at absolutely no charge and many will include electricity, water and if youre lucky sewer! They offer information and explain regulations, such as the campground fee system. My father-in-law spent a number of his retirement years camp hosting, and his duties also included helping to carve out trails, plant trees, pick up dog poop, and wrangle snakes. You should just keep paying for camping and leave working for the better of our National and State parks for people who care and understand. 1. Needless to say its been a rollercoaster working 40+ hours a week this place was so ran down and so much craziness going on but we love a challenge and decided we could do it and we actually have with my husbands structure and putting in gates at the office this place has came from run down sketchy to an actual safe family oriented campground!