So decided this last weekend to head north for one last camping trip of the season. As temps are slowly dropping and its time to winterize. Wound up leaving a bit late Fri. night and got to the camp ground around 9. So backed in and hit the sack. Got up early and set up the camper. Then walked over to see how to get some wood for Sat. night. Sign stated see camp host for key. By this time everyone was up and moving in the camp ground. Walk over to host's site and no one to be found and no vehicle. So I figured I'd be able to track them down later in the afternoon. So load the dog in the truck and take off to do some exploring. Got back to the campground around 3 or so. Walk over to host's site and still no one to be found. Called the host phone number I found on the check in station, no answer. So I kept an eye out for the host and hour after hour go by, sun goes down and still no host. In the mean time I did check out a few other sources that normally have wood but they were out for the season.Eventually I just gave up, no sitting around a fire for me to night. So I hunkered down in the camper. Then while taking the dog for his last walk for the night well after 9. A truck pull's into the host site. Well at that point I was a bit irritated. Is this normal for camp ground host's to be MIA? Especially on a busy Sat. at a campground.What should I have done differently?

Sometimes things happen. Maybe they had a family emergency they had to attend to. Life's to short to worry about the little things. Just enjoy the time you had to camp and enjoy life. : )

Was this a private or government park?If I'm not mistaken, volunteer season is over here in Michigan, could be the same for Wisconsin? I'm guessing the more favored hosts are allowed to leave their rigs setup in the park for personal use in the off season?

This was a township run campground on Lake Superior. And is one that stays open as late as they can. While other private campgrounds have most likely shut down by now.

Depends. Typically volunteer camp host positions as for a set number of hours a day, usually 5 days a week. Medical emergencies, days off, things happen. We are generally around all day, but there has been times when we had to go to the store or something. We try to leave a note. We also have a sign stating on or off duty.

That's one of the reasons we always carry a propane fire pit. We can always have a fire even if we can't find wood, or wood fires are prohibited. Jim

Camp host rant | Good Sam Community

cmarkj
Explorer
Nov 02, 2016
We camp in SW Wi a lot. We have run into many different types of hosts. We have always been at state, county or local parks and COE CGs. I'm not sure who is supposed to enforce the host rules in some cases. There are a few hosts I have met that spend the same time at the same CG every year and lack people skills and dedication to their job IMHO. The weekends are the time a host is really needed: where do you get wood, I'm new to this, how do I know if I can have this site, where in town can I get something? Many times, I have been asked these questions on a Friday afternoon/evening because the host isn't around. That many family emergencies?? How about the host that drives around in his cart when people leave and pick up the left over wood and only shares it with their "friends"? In many Wi state parks, the hosts change monthly, so the argument can't be that they are tired from a long season. But as in life, you will run into all kinds of hosts; those who really enjoy it and enjoy meeting/helping/being around others, those that do it for the free site and go about their jobs well because that's the way they are, and those that just don't care....I got my free site that's all that matters. If there are no complaints, the ranger, owner, manager will just assume all is OK.
jnharley
Explorer
Oct 24, 2016
We stayed in a state park in Indiana and it was illegal to pick up any downed wood even twigs. Had signs all over the place about it.
dave54
Nomad
Oct 23, 2016
korbe wrote:
mike-s wrote:
bpounds wrote:
Bring my own, or bring my chainsaw.
Chainsaw? Unless you're camping close to land you own (and why would you do that?), that still sounds like stealing. You can't just go out and cut up wood (even deadwood) from anywhere close without permission. Collecting sticks and twigs to start a fire, fine, but anything needing a chainsaw is way out of bounds.

For us that live and recreate within or near the public lands managed by the Forest Service and BLM, completely understand the comments regarding the use of a chainsaw. All my firewood that I burn at home & while camping I cut within the surrounding forests. It's no big deal in our neck of the woods.

The agencies sell permits to cut firewood on public land. Last I checked the permit cost $10 per cord. Pretty cheap. Barely covers the taxpayer cost to issue the permit. The purpose of the permit is to acknowledge you understand the regulations (no cutting green trees, only on public land not private, no felling standing dead trees marked for retention, etc.) CA has a state law requiring transporting more than 20 cu ft of firewood requires a permit or some proof you acquired the wood legally. This law is little known and seldom enforced.
allen8106
Explorer
Oct 23, 2016
When I was camp host my only hard requirement was 1 hour a day 6 days a week. That time was usually spent cruising the camp ground collecting unpaid camp fees.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Oct 21, 2016
Lantley wrote:
It appears you guys are in 2 totally different parts of the country where rules are totally different. Yet you want to debate the rules as though they apply to everyone.
The great thing about this forum is that it facilitates a national discussion.
Sometimes everyone doesn't seem to understand that it is a big country out there.Different areas and environments across the country have different regulations. Every dissenting comment does not have to be perceived as a personal attack.
Lighten up. Or I'll report you to the CG host as soon as he returns from ...?? the beyond.

Thank you.

I was thinking the same thing.
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 20, 2016
It appears you guys are in 2 totally different parts of the country where rules are totally different. Yet you want to debate the rules as though they apply to everyone.
The great thing about this forum is that it facilitates a national discussion.
Sometimes everyone doesn't seem to understand that it is a big country out there.Different areas and environments across the country have different regulations. Every dissenting comment does not have to be perceived as a personal attack.
Lighten up. Or I'll report you to the CG host as soon as he returns from ...?? the beyond.
Crowe
Explorer
Oct 20, 2016
And all because I had the gall to declare that, "I don't buy firewood".

Sorry, dude, that wasn't the issue. No one cares a furry creature's behind if you do or not. It's the "too lazy, ill-equipped" types of comments and your holier-than-thou attitude that have some of us a bit riled.
mike-s
Explorer
Oct 20, 2016
bpounds wrote:
Angry? No. Fed up with self-righteous morons? Yes.
That would be you.

bpounds wrote:
First someone insinuated that I might be the one stealing firewood from the host.
You, again:
bpounds wrote:
Even here in CA, the honor system works. Plus, they charge so much, the few who cheat still leaves plenty on the bottom line.

I NEVER pay for firewood.
bpounds
Nomad
Oct 20, 2016
Those who buy their firewood can skip this post-you won't be able to relate. For those who understand...

When our kids were of school age, we camped more during the summer months. One of our first outings once camp was set up, was to take the 4WD out scouting for wood. It was a family affair, using whatever saws we had at the time, and within an hour or two we would be back at camp with the truck bed full of firewood. Perfectly legal, of course. We often shared what we had collected with the neighbors, or leaving the excess neatly piled in the campsite for the next family. We don't have nearly as many campfires now as we did then. Not as big a deal for us as it was with kids. It is a fond memory of our kids growing up.
bpounds
Nomad
Oct 20, 2016
mike-s wrote:
bpounds wrote:
If you can't, don't want to, ill equipped to do so, or just plain too lazy to collect wood, fine by me. It's your money.
You angry, man?

Angry? No. Fed up with self-righteous morons? Yes.

First someone insinuated that I might be the one stealing firewood from the host. Then some moron thinks I am stealing because I use a chainsaw to collect firewood. As if a chainsaw were somehow different that using a bow saw. As if it were my fault some moron chooses to live near Detroit.

And all because I had the gall to declare that, "I don't buy firewood".

I'm nearing the end of 2 weeks of vacation, after spending 8 days camping in the National Forest, in October, where I enjoyed nice campfires using wood I hauled up from home. And thus I have a couple of days to entertain the morons on this site. So not angry at all. In fact, enjoying the obvious displays of jealousy by those who pay for their firewood.

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