Are you finally ready to pursue your passion and become a National Park Camp Host? This may have been a dream that you have had for years! Living out near the wilderness, disconnecting a bit from the busy world out there, and being that friendly and helpful face to travelers near and far! If this is something that you are striving to do, we can help you to land that National Park Camp Host Job!
Camp Host Requirements
The first thing to note is that a camp host job is not that of a park ranger. You are a host that stays at the campground for a long period of time. Sounds awesome, right? We are talking about potential free housing, a place to park your RV, and you get to meet travelers from all over the world. In order to apply for these (sometimes paid, sometimes volunteer) positions, you must legally able to work in the U.S, 21 or older, some require you to supply your own camping unit, although some will provide housing.
Most of the time, they request you to volunteer 15-20 hours a week in order to use the land and amenities. You will need to communicate and help the visitors, help with explaining information or rules of the campsite, collect any fees, and potentially help with some set up and tear down. Every camp is different, with specific expectations. That doesn’t sound too bad when the return is staying at an amazing state or national park for free! So, what does one have to do to land a golden opportunity like this? Here are some tips you can take as you begin this journey.
How do I Get a Camp Host Job?
Start doing your research!
There are camp hosting opportunities ALL THE TIME. Simply google different camp hosting positions in different states to figure out which one would suit you best. If you prefer the mountains, lakes, or a specific type of weather, look in those states and areas. A lot of these sites are looking for more than 1, so if you have a friend or family member that is interested, have them apply as well! Some websites that you can utilize to find these opportunities are, camprrm.com, and https://www.coolworks.com/.
Do not be picky and do not limit yourself.
Figure out why you want to do this in the first place. Is it to get away, to travel, a volunteer experience, to save money… the possibilities are endless. But as you begin to search for places, do not limit yourself to one specific area. Remember, opportunities lead to other opportunities. As you begin to work at these camps, you can start to figure out what you want to do and where you want to be. You should also note that there is a lot of work to be done and it is not always easy or light work. Some of these can be paid positions which make the work a little easier to manage!
Create a plan and timeline.
A lot of these interviews or meetings are going to have one common question… what is your timeline? If you plan to do this long term, you need to be flexible and have a timeline that a lot of these camps can work with. Especially if your plan is to get paid, you should be available and commit to this camp so that they can start planning. If you cannot be there for the whole camping season, it is important to note this at the beginning. Be honest with your skills, your background, and your plans for the future. This will help gauge your position for the camp and help you to have an enjoyable time!
Know that each campground has different setups, different rules, and different jobs for you!
Some campsites may require more extensive physical labor. Others may need you to be more of a guide and use your people skills to deal with guests. Before you commit and decide on anything, make sure to ask a ton of questions. Know what you are getting into before you get there. Also, make sure that you are aware of what you are getting out of it and the restrictions. Are you getting paid? Is there free housing? Do you have access to the WIFI and amenities? As you begin asking these questions, take notes, compare and decide what camp would be the best fit for you!
