CAMP HOSTING

So many State and Federal Parks are always looking for good camp host.  But the question is: What makes a good Camp Host? 
Brian and I have done camp hosting at several state parks in Texas, Arkansas and now Colorado.  We have seen good host and some bad host.  We also seen camp host that have been in that position for so long in just one park that they start to become obsessive with their position and start thinking the park belongs to them.  We have this case going on right now in the park that we are in. The folks have been here for so long that they think they set the standard on how this park is run.
I remember one park host in particular in Texas.  He was a single gentleman and when we introduce ourselves to him, he greeted us in his underwear!  Then the park was getting ready for spring break and we started to get busy, we had trouble with the septic tank over running into one of the sites.  When the folks went to let this host know what was going on-they were greeted with the man wearing nothing but a Tutu! (no joke).  He had to be carried back to his camper, because he kept falling down-stone cold drunk!  Needless to say the manager gave him only 24 hours to pack up and get out of the park.  Leaving us to camp host a huge park by ourselves over spring break.
Being a camp host varies from park to park and state to state.  Most require at least 20 hours per week, per person for a campsite-most having full hook-ups.  Duties will varies as well.  But all requires good PR for the park.
Our very first camp host position was in Arkansas basically being a campground babysitter.  All we had to do was go through the park at least twice a day to make sure there was no vandalism.  But in other parks we have done trail maintenance, rake sites of leaves & debris, clean fire rings and help relocate bird houses.  We have also helped in the office/gate house; which is what we are doing right now.
To become a good camp host,

• you must first like to camp-of course, being outdoors and around other campers of ALL ages.
  
• You shouldn’t be afraid of  getting a little dirty or grimy.   Labor work might come into play, but they never require you to do more than you are able.
  
• Always remember when doing PR for the park, talk to the ones visiting the park, the way you would want to be treated as a guest.  Even if the camper/guest maybe breaking a rule or doing something wrong, coming across aggressively won’t get you cooperation from that party, but doing it in a friendly manner will get you a long ways- even with a difficult person.
  
• Remember-you set the example.  A clean campsite, dog on leash and following all park rules yourself, helps make it easy for others to follow.
  
• another camp host is NOT your boss, and only the ranger in charge should be telling you your does and don’t.  If you have questions about how another host is dealing with certain duties, let the rangers know-but make sure you have your facts in order.
  
• Remember, you as a host will see more, hear more and probably know more of what’s going on inside the park, than even the rangers, but communication is a key factor between host(s), visitors and rangers.  You are the ears and eyes and represent the park you are working in and only you can make it either enjoyable or miserable. 

That’s not going without saying that maybe there is a park where no one gets along and as much as you try to make it enjoyable it can’t be.  Then my advise to you is try to communicate with the ranger in charge of camp hosting, and then trying going up the chain of command if you don’t feel you are getting anywhere.  State Parks are becoming more and more self sufficient as state funding are getting cut.  Therefore they have to depend on visitors coming into the park.  If a park isn’t up to standard-folks won’t come to visit and then all goes down hill from there.  So it’s very important for all parties involve to work together to make happy campers keep on returning.
How long is too long in hosting in just one park?  In my personal humble opinion anything over 3-5 years is long enough. I personally feel it makes you become obsessive in that park and then you tend to want to “boss” the new host when they come in-making them feel uncomfortable.  That’s not saying you need to stop camp hosting, but maybe check out other parks to host in.  I look at it this way: when camp hosting, after a couple of years, a new scenery gives you a new outlook and allows you to explore new areas.
Camp hosting can be lots of fun with perks to it.  It gives you new areas to explore, and you only have to work just a few hours a day with 3+ more days off to do other things.  It allows you to meet new people as they travel through.  You can spend hours outdoors enjoying natures wonder.  Parks are looking more and more for new camp host as budget cuts affects them, so they rely on us to help them out.
If interested in camp hosting in a state park or federal park, simply Google the state you are interested in and then check out their web page.  A phone call to a particular park wouldn’t hurt either.  maybe if in the area, go visit the state park.  ask for either the Manager or for the ranger in charge of camp hosting. 
State parks are not the only ones looking for volunteers, there is also Corps of Engineer, National Forest, National Parks as well as State Forest & Parks.
Hope to see you down the road as a camp host-It can be fun and very enjoyable.