IMHO state parks should limit the time a volunteer can return to the same park. We have been in parks where the same host have been there for 5-10 years. Most think they own the park or work for the state and tend to boss other volunteers around. One park has host that have been there for 6-10 years and never leave they are residence. Georgia has just implemented a policy where a host can return to the same park for three years, which can be extended to 5 by the park manager but then they cannot return for a year.These are volunteer position not employment position and the park should open it for more people to enjoy. They need new blood instead of the same old same old. Rant over sorry.:R

I have to agree with you. Lucky for us many of the old timers have finally retired so some of us younger ones can have a chance at the plum spots. We are returning to two parks again this year. But will probably try and find a couple of different ones for next season.

Power over others, people can't control it.

We've seen the same thing happen with paid campground hosts. 3 years should be the max. When we see it happening, we (kindly) encourage them to find a different location for the next year. We make sure they know that they are a great asset to the company and we could really use them in this other campground. It's not always easy to find good people to hard work for minimum wage or volunteer positions. So when we get one, we don't want to lose them! (jo)

I agree also. Too many things can go wrong in that scenario

I agree as well. I have a horror story of a camp host who thought he owned the area. Longer than 3 years and some feel they have some sort of ownership on the CG and other volunteers.

Many of us have run into this when volunteering

43 Replies

TXiceman
Explorer II
May 14, 2014
donoln, you will most probably pass up some good workers that are new to retirement and work camping.

Ken
donoln
Explorer
May 11, 2014
TXiceman --- No I am not a long term host. In fact I am part owner of an RV park in central California. When we ask for Work Campers to come in, I look for past work campers if I can. I know what and how they work and what I can expect. some that respond have great backgrounds and would fit in great BUT is it is a choice of a past work camper and a new one I will take the past ones first.
nbargolf
Explorer
May 11, 2014
donoln wrote:
It seems many are over looking the "why" some state parks have the same host year after year.
the rangers have work to do, looking over resumes each year takes time. Higher a new host, the range must now spend time training and educating the new host as to how the park runs and the day to day duties the host must perform. The rangers then must worry if the new host will stay the duration.
With re-higher of past years host the ranger knows exactly what they are getting thus taking a big burden out of their day to day schedule.

In a perfect world maybe but we have been signed up for next year at more than one park when we had been there for one week. There's no way they knew how good or bad we were. They need the help.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
May 10, 2014
One issue that enters into this discussion is rule enforcement.

In many parks, the campground host is the first contact that a camper has when a rule is being broken.

Often, a host presents the problem in a firm tone, that quite honestly, is usually not needed. It is not WHAT the host says but HOW they say it. Let's face it, no one likes to be told what to do by a stranger.

If it is said in the"wrong" way, the camper goes away with a terrible impression of the host, when in reality he/she may be really nice person.

It behooves all hosts to walk gently, at first.
TXiceman
Explorer II
May 10, 2014
Looks like we struck a sensitive note with donoln and I bet he is a long time host at a specific site.

I feel the park needs to get a certain amount of new blood in and let some experienced folks carry over for 2 or 3 years at the most. The overlap would give them the opportunity to keep training on place.

We have also seen the turn over from park staff and each of them want to run things their way and have to retrain everyone, including the returning folks.

What we have seen is some of the returning volunteers are more interested in getting a free place to camp out of the snow than volunteering.

Ken
Dog_Folks
Explorer
May 09, 2014
In 8 years of hosting, we have run into "bossy" volunteers only once.

If you don't let people walk on you, they can't. We would not allow it and they never were "bossy" with us.

I am a volunteer, I do not have to put up with it, and besides I am also too old to put up with it, therefore, I won't.

On the other hand, we did have a ranger insult both my wife and myself,on two different issues,in one month! He had no reason to have contact with us in hie job description. We don't host there any more. Again, I don't need that stuff. I'm retired, and debt free.
mrlightrail
Explorer
May 08, 2014
I agree with donoln about the need for rangers to have some stability, and have that "known quality" in the parks. But, I agree that some of these hosts have taken it upon themselves to be the "man in charge" far too often. Instead of griping, tell the ranger how you feel about the host. For good or bad. Let the good ones keep doing a good job, and help get the nazi's out. Cell phone videos make GREAT attachments when dealing with a crappy host.
donoln
Explorer
May 08, 2014
It seems many are over looking the "why" some state parks have the same host year after year.
the rangers have work to do, looking over resumes each year takes time. Higher a new host, the range must now spend time training and educating the new host as to how the park runs and the day to day duties the host must perform. The rangers then must worry if the new host will stay the duration.
With re-higher of past years host the ranger knows exactly what they are getting thus taking a big burden out of their day to day schedule.
Crabbypatty
Explorer
May 07, 2014
Not that I volunteer yet, but we had a regular at the County Park and we nick named him the beach nazi. He would confiscate whatever he felt in appropriate and ran around in the gator policing everyone. It took a few years but everyone complained about him and finally he was let go.

There are always the few bs'ers everywhere today. When we try work camping after having delt with these idiots my whole life, Ill just ignore them and enjoy myself.
firedoc
Explorer
May 07, 2014
Thanks for the come back.