Camp host FL state parks

Camp host are different all over. In MD where we have host at state parks, some have you clean the bathrooms some would not think of the camp host cleaning bath rooms. We are attending a meeting this month. From what I hear the will try to have a standard with all state CGs. When I signed up on line it was for camp host not volunteer.

I think that Dog Folks is assuming that all Florida State Parks have the same policies as those in South Florida, the Keys, and with beach access. Not all parks have a waiting list of volunteers. Last winter there was a host vacancy in a park we stayed in and a couple from MA volunteered on the spot and were accepted. Not all require 40 hours either. Dog Folks mentioned "special skills", these can get you a place very quickly. If you really want to stay in a Florida State Park for free, look over the websites of the various parks. Find one north of Ocala and e-mail the Park Manager directly. If you have special skills (carpentry, electrician, plumber, artist, writer, expertise in some subject, etc.) let him/her know. You may not hear from them, but who knows, you may find an adventure. lizzie

Thanks for the info.

Lots of competition for volunteer spots and forty hours a week if you get one, eh? I guess that wouldn't leave much time to take the Grandkids to beaches/theme parks etc, which was part of my Nefarious Plan.

Unless....say, if I can "divide" that forty in half between me and Hubby, why not in sixths and make the Grands earn their keep, too? The whole fandamily turns to for seven hours one day a week...that's 42 man-hours, and we'll throw in the extra 2 hours. The rest of the week...let the fun be had!

Now all I have to do is figure out a way to convince Florida it's in her best interests... ;)

Fk:

Yes, the pay is the same regardless. I mention it so that people that are offered a "position" make sure which type of position is being offered. We made the mistake once on thinking it would be 20 hours a week, and it turned out to be 40 hours a week.

Regular volunteers work 40 hours for a free campsite. Yes, a total of 40 hours a week of work for a free campsite. A couple living in the same RV on the free site, can split the total for example: Each person in a couple can work 20 hours.

Campground hosts work 20 hours per week for a free campsite. Campground hosts work 20 hours or 1/2 the hours of a non-host volunteers.

Why? I haven't the faintest idea. I did not make the policy, just experienced it. Maybe to make up for the times a host has to go out in the middle of the night for some type of disturbance?

I do know that the demand for these positions is so great that the volunteer coordinators have all the power. If you don't want to clean bathrooms, no problem, they will go to the next person on the very long list who will. A coordinator once told me she had over 300 applications for the 8 openings she had.

Lots of people have the same idea:"Let's go to Florida for the winter and volunteer to get a free campsite."

That is why we volunteer out of state in the summer, and return to Florida in the winter and just hang around, enjoying the weather.

Hope this helps. Feel fee to PM me if you want any other info.

Dog Folks wrote:

Too Tall wrote:
We camp host MD state parks and thought we would like trying it in FL during winter. I understand that everyone wants to go to Florida in the winter and we may never get called. I signed up on line but couldn't find any information of the host duties or length of stay. I would appreciate any feedback. Thank You

Please understand that there are two basic "forms" of volunteer in Florida State Parks. Campground host, and regular volunteer.

Regular volunteers work 40 hours for a free campsite.

Campground hosts work 20 hours per week for a free campsite.

Regular volunteers can be assigned any general duty in the park, especially if you have special skills.

The campground host position is basically janitorial in nature. Cleaning and maintaining bathrooms, and cleaning of fire pits and camp sites.

You will probably be asked to advise campers of any rules being broken, such as rope tied to trees. You do not need to be security, or confrontational, and may call a ranger at any time that you feel uncomfortable.

Commitment time may vary from one to four months, depending on the needs of the individual park.

Be patient, your application went to all parks that have openings, and it may be months before you are contacted. Most parks firm up their winter schedules in April for the upcoming winter season, but you still may get a call if someone cancels.

I suggest you accept the first job offered, and do a good job to get your foot in the door, to have references for future jobs.

The above information is based upon 5 years of campground hosting in Florida, but I have not been to all parks, and there may be some variation from park to park.

PM me if you have any other questions. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Very illuminating, especially as compares to some other States.

Question about above highlighted portion:

I see you give twenty hour requirements as weekly for Hosts...are the forty hours required for regular volunteers per week, too? And- if you know- why the difference between the rates? Seems like the pay's the same regardless (free campsite)-?

Thanks!

Too Tall wrote:
We camp host MD state parks and thought we would like trying it in FL during winter. I understand that everyone wants to go to Florida in the winter and we may never get called. I signed up on line but couldn't find any information of the host duties or length of stay. I would appreciate any feedback. Thank You

Please understand that there are two basic "forms" of volunteer in Florida State Parks. Campground host, and regular volunteer. Regular volunteers work 40 hours for a free campsite.

Campground hosts work 20 hours per week for a free campsite.

Regular volunteers can be assigned any general duty in the park, especially if you have special skills.

The campground host position is basically janitorial in nature. Cleaning and maintaining bathrooms, and cleaning of fire pits and camp sites.

You will probably be asked to advise campers of any rules being broken, such as rope tied to trees. You do not need to be security, or confrontational, and may call a ranger at any time that you feel uncomfortable.

Commitment time may vary from one to four months, depending on the needs of the individual park.

Be patient, your application went to all parks that have openings, and it may be months before you are contacted. Most parks firm up their winter schedules in April for the upcoming winter season, but you still may get a call if someone cancels.

I suggest you accept the first job offered, and do a good job to get your foot in the door, to have references for future jobs.

The above information is based upon 5 years of campground hosting in Florida, but I have not been to all parks, and there may be some variation from park to park.

PM me if you have any other questions. Hope this helps. Good luck.

You might have better luck in the Florida Panhandle. Have you tried contacting the park manager directly? There are also positions in State and National Forests. lizzie