newbie questions

To help the budget, consider camp hosting. Most state, county and local parks use volunteer hosts, where as private and NF parks use a lot of paid hosts. There is a difference. As volunteers we are only obligated for one month at a time. Most of the paid positions require you to sit for the season, no matter how bad the park might be. In addition the paid positions usually pay only 30 hours a week, even if you work more hours. Volunteers are asked for 30 hours as a single and 20 hours each as a couple per week. While some weeks we may do way more than that, it is not mandatory. And there are some weeks we do far less than that. As a volunteer your duties depend on what you want to do go a great extent. Most of the rangers understand we are there to help them maintain the park, not be their slaves. If you are comfortable pruning trees, then you might be asked if you could. If you cannot for any reason all you have to do is say that you don't feel comfortable. No big deal. We have met couples that have been doing it for a year or more at a time. Moving from park to park staying for free with full hookups. That way your only costs are propane and food.