Chapter 4 Camp Hosting and Where To Look

Alright, you now want to be a Camp Host. Either just you or your spouse or both. First make a list of things you will do and won't do! Very important to keep to that list, or you will be doing everything from maintance, to housekeeping! That other people should be getting paid to do.

I had one place that would pay about 20 hours at min. wage plus our site, but wanted a Camp Host, clean the pool and spa, clean and make up about 20 or so cabins, cut the lawn, the bushes and trees. Do the reservations and check people in. I told them they needed to hire someone full time and more than likely 2 or more people!

Another one had No Campground! I asked then what does a Camp Host do. They told us we could park next to a building that had water and electric, go dump somewhere else. They would supply us with period clothing and give tours at their museum and buildings on demand, of course for just the site! Another one wanted us to work in their little store and pump gas in exchange for a site with electric water and sewer.

 Like I said stand your ground of what you will and won't do for your site!

There are many types of people, these parks are looking for. Hosts both Camp and Park, Caretakers, Gatekeepers, Park Volunteers, Park Aides, Camp Security, Camp Guides, Gate Attendants, Maintance, Working in Gift Shops, Working in the Visitor Centers, Marina and Store Workers, Various Interpretive Positions, Lighthouses, Back Country and Wilderness, Visitor Information, Tour Guides, Conservation Education, Construction, Trail Maintance and Repair to General Assistance. Some get paid and some don't, ASK.  But where do you look?

 Apparently you have a computer. So let's start off there. Go to Google.com or Yahoo.com or really any search engines and type in Camp Host.

There will be a number of sites that will come up. www.working-camping, www.camphost.org/ Workamping which is RRM Recreation Resource Management, American Land & Leisure and more. These do pay, but they want most of your 5 to 6 days a week in return. Like I said before, if I wanted a "job" I would have stayed at the one I retired from. It paid better and had benefits!

There is www.volunteer.gov that covers many National Parks, National Monuments, BLM, Army Corp. Also look under Fairgrounds, Regional and County Parks,Various Others.

These site will list what they are looking for in details for each state. Or call or e-mail them and ask. Another way is to look is to bring up the state,  example "California or Texas Camp Host" and such. Which should bring up a list of sites and the State campgrounds. Again, most should list what they are looking for! Or look up Campgrounds in whatever area you are looking to be at, again the lists should pop up. If you know of a campground you want to be at, call them direct. They might not have an opening, but might be able to tell you what is open close by or when they will have an opening?

What Does Most Host's Responsiblities and What Do They Receive In Exchange? Most Host Receive: Free campsite with electric and water hookups, hopefully sewer, at the site you will be in! Free use of park facilities where available, including daily swimming, fishing (most places you must purchase fishing permits). But ASK BEFORE you accept the Host Position!

Camp Host Responsibilities: Meet and Greet Campers, answer their questions and orient them to the park and region. Set example for others by keeping the host site clean and neat. Be accessible to campers for comments and complaints. Understanding and explaining - Not Enforce - rules and regulations to campers. Giving them the "Opportunity" to do the Right Thing! Help maintain campground, pick up litter, clean campsites after guest check out, replenish restrooms supplies and assist in keeping the bathhouses clean. Check windshields for passes to ensure park fees are paid. Contact Park Staff and other law enforcement personnel about emergencies, making reports about these emergencies. Other projects and assignments based on park needs and hosts' skills and interests. Check fire rings, make sure they are level and dig out ashes. Make sure wood campers are burning, fit in the fire rings and not having a huge fire. Keep the place safe! Collect all wood around the sites when cleaning. It is easier to sell firewood if there is none to be gathered! Some will ask you to collect money and do the paperwork for this. Cleaning Bathrooms and Showers, should come under maintance or you should get paid for that. But replacing supplies between visits from the maintance people, should be the Camp Host's job. Contacting park people when things are broken, from fence posts to bathroom and shower items, so THEY can repair them! Hosting should be a calming and enjoyable experiance. Like I said if you want a "Job", there are many other places that will pay you much better and has benifits!

Questions I Always Ask When I Arrive At A New Camp Host Position:

Do you charge for extra vehicles, people or for pets?

On Group Camping, what does that include, extra charge for extra people or vehicles?

Handicap spots, can I rent those out after the park fills up? Who can come in for FREE! This has been a very big problem with us, so try and get the person that is in charge to make it clear!

What is the policy with people trying to rope off spaces and saving them for people that are not here? People thinking they are renting a table or campground and all their friends can come in for FREE! Can they leave a chair or cooler and come back when they please? (This is really reservating a place if they can do this!)

With extra vehicles, either camping, day use, that does not fit in a site. Some have limits of people in a site, then who is going to take your back when you try to explain some of their party is going to have to leave? Where do I place them?

Can I use Day Use to put "Overflow" campers in? This is just some of the questions I have come across. You have more? Please let me know below so we can help others.

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