Have you ever wanted to try being a campground host? Or perhaps you just wondered what it means to be host? The Buzz is here to answer some questions for you!
First, what is a campground host? As defined by the National Parks, "A campground host is a volunteer who agrees to spend part or all of the year in a National Forest campground. A host helps other campers by answering questions, providing information about the local area, and acts as the "eyes and ears" for identifying problems when Forest Service employees are not present." In terms of private campgrounds, the duties can be similar, though not necessarily the same. Generally, hosts work a certain number of hours for the campground and as a result they get to rent a spot for free. Sometimes there is even a monetary stipend.
Many RVers at some point at least consider being a host and some folks do it regularly! The Buzz reached out to a member of the RV Bunch Facebook Group who currently hosts at Brackenridge Park and Campground in Edna, Texas. Tanya Frolick is a solo camper from Texas who hosts part time at the Edna campground, which is in between Houston and Corpus Christi on the coast.
"I am semi-retired from my full-time teaching position and four years ago I bought a camper. It is an 18 ½’ Keystone Sunland Summerland Mini that we call the 'Gypsy Wagon,'" says Frolick. Hosting for her came after she spent time camping at the park in the spring. "I was just having a wonderful time hiking and birdwatching, when a massive storm blew through," she recalls, "Afterwards, I assisted the Park Hosts a little bit with various storm debris cleanup and started conversations with them about their duties." She got interested in hosting, especially after finding out that camping would be free, so she applied directly to the park. A little while later, the park called and said they would need assistance for two months. She was only able to host through the weekend, which worked for the park as there were other hosts to pick up where she could not.
Camp host rides through campground to make sure everything is in order at the sites [Photo/NPS]
Every camp host situation is a little different, as mentioned above, but most entail helping out other campers with their sites and turning over campsites after campers leave. "I was required to provide 20 hours per week to the park. So, I kept track of people leaving and made sure their sites were clean, including the barbecue pits and the fire pits," Frolick tells The Buzz. She also went around cleaning up debris and trash, and because she enjoys photography, she took pictures of various events at the park. "Additionally, I was readily available to assist campers with various needs, such as backing in, setup, or any other situation or questions that might arise."
So how do you prepare to be a host? For Frolick, she contacted the other hosts to plan out responsibilities. Also, checking and testing the Wi-Fi/cell service situation is a good thing to do. Many hosts stay at their location for months at a time so if being connected is important or necessary, make sure to check with the campground and/or other volunteers. "Stay friendly with the campers, but don't be afraid to point when a camper is breaking the rules," she notes, adding that the most important part is to "enjoy."
While hosting, Frolick was surprised by how, "amazingly friendly everyone was, even when I had to point out rule-breaking." She also was happy to see other solo women out camping. She recalls that she did have to straighten out a few older gentlemen’s beliefs when they saw her performing maintenance and thought her husband should be doing it. “The surprised looks they gave when they found out I did everything necessary were amazing. The best part was watching their wives standing behind them hiding smiles and giving ‘I told you so’ looks!"
Of course, not every situation is easy to deal with. "There are occasional campers that come through with little respect for the campground, the environment, and the rules," Frolick states. "You have to be prepared to call security if the situation arises." Knowing protocol in such situations is important when considering hosting.
Overall, though, the hosting experience for Frolick was a positive one. "I enjoyed every bit of it!" Frolick exclaims, "I enjoyed meeting and chatting with lots of people from all over the place." And if another opportunity comes up? “I’d take it in a heartbeat,” Frolick says.
To find hosting opportunities, a lot of people recommend checking out https://workamper.com. Job advertisements generally give clear descriptions of work required, as well as incentives and compensation. Filling out an application on Volunteer.gov will open up Federal Land opportunities. Another option is just visiting a private campground that you enjoy and asking if any positions are available. You may be surprised how many campgrounds would appreciate the help.
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