Top things you need to know as camp host?

[PcolaCamper]

We will be hosting in Smoky Mountain National Park in the Fall. Technically this will be our first real hosting job, although we were resident volunteers locally for 10 weeks last summer. I also volunteer at our local state park ranger station regularly.
Want to be as prepared as possible, so thought I'd get some input from those with more hosting experience. Common problems, camper needs, etc. Our primary duties will involve monitoring the campground and helping at Ranger Station. No cleaning is supposed to be involved. Thanks!

[MTPockets1]

We're in our 5th State Park as Camp Hosts. Two in Texas, one in Colorado, one in Wyoming, and now in Utah. The common thread for us is each place truly appreciate having hosts. We don't do, nor have we been asked to do any rules enforcement. We're here as the helpful, friendly faces. Paid employees take care of any and all confrontations or issues. We're here to be helpful and provide guidance so all have a pleasant experience. Our duties have been cleaning sites and fire pits. Bath house duty has been 50/50. Total hrs/wk required about 20. Actual hours have not been locked in, except for days off. We love the flexibility and low key approach that our experience has provided.

[Dog_Folks]

Always remember that adults whom are camping do NOT want to be told what to do.

We use the "sandwich" technique. The request is "sandwiched" between two pleasant things.

1. First question: Are you having a good time. Good, we want you to have a good time here.

2. By the way I noticed that your truck is parked on the grass. We can't have that because eventually the grass dies and we are left with a big mud area. There is extra parking........ (explain the rule and offer an alternative)

3. Thanks a lot and if there is anything we can do for you let us know.

This works well for us 99% of the time.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Working for the National Park Service as campground hosts - you work for the Law Enforcement division, not the Interpretative division.

But you are not 'law enforcement'. You are expected to notify people of violations, and are asked to deal with such on a low level - non-confrontational. Law Enforcement rangers are federal agents, and are a radio call away. Talk about specific do's and don'ts with your supervisors. Things like alcohol, drugs, theft, non-compliance with your requests. Understand clearly where you need to call for LE, and when you should attempt to resolve a potential issue.

A couple examples:

We had campers complain about a camper couple fighting, screaming and throwing things at each other. By the instruction we had received - we were not to approach the couple - Do Not get involved in domestic confrontations. Leave that to professionals. Called LE on the radio. The only time they ever came up to the CG with lights flashing.

An unoccupied car rolled out of a parking spot and into another vehicle. Called LE.

Had a large group occupying a couple adjacent sites who would not secure their food while we had a bear in the area. LE ranger on patrol came by, talked to him - he issued tickets.

Were very specifically told - drugs, including marijuana, were illegal on NPS property - to call LE if we suspected drugs were being used, sold, etc.

We were not to attempt to enforce alcohol laws. If we suspected minors drinking, or had problem drunks, call LE.

It was not a law enforcement nightmare. Very seldom did we need to escalate anything. Most of the time if we saw food or such left out, we would secure it in the bear boxes, and leave the folks a note. Did have to remind some to make payment at the iron ranger and post their tag.

Be very nice to the full-time employees who clean the restrooms and grounds maintenance staff.

We had to monitor the reserved sites, post notice the site was reserved in advance and stay on top of those.

Our day was walk the CG early AM, note which sites would be leaving that day, write down license plate numbers for each campsite. Approx 10 am post the daily report around the CG. Check the CG near noon check-out time - make sure sites were emptied, or renewed for another day. Check each campsite after the campers left - pick up any trash, clean out the grills, make sure the fires were completely out first. Check the CG twice in the late afternoon and near dark/ quiet hours.

Plenty of time for a nap between rounds.

Learn the CG - someone will come and ask what is the best site for XXXX rig, scenery, etc.

Learn the local area, and the park in general. Though you are not in the interpretative division - which runs the Visitor Centers - you may be the only person some campers/ visitors see.

They want to know about trails, back country camping permits, where to buy XXXXX, etc. You are the information source.

Know emergency procedures and who to contact when.

As noted - you are on-duty. Occasionally there will be late night knocks on the door.

The greatest thing about camp hosting is the people you meet. We had people from all 50 states, Mexico, 9 Canadian provinces, Japan, China, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Australia, New Zealand, almost every country in Europe in the CG. One night I had a couple with a young child in a rental Class C. They were from Denmark and traveling across the US. She was a travel agent and writer for local magazines/ internet sites. Walked five sites over and met a young couple with a young child in a CruiseAmerica Class C - traveling the opposite direction across the US. From Switzerland. She was a travel agent.....

As far as campers - you are going to meet people who taught George Washington how to camp, and folks who don't know which end of the TT to hook the truck up to.

Had folks show up after a 600 mile drive - with a tent fly - no tent. Had folks show up missing something vital. Had folks show up with 500 pounds of gear for a one night stop.

Tent stakes were a big deal in the mountains where we were. The tiny things which come with tents were useless. The stakes like big nails were best. We had a lot left in the CG, and we would loan them out as needed.

We kept water and gatoraid for folks who needed it. We were in a CG where coolers could not be left unattended - so it was inside the trailer.

[2gypsies1]

Remember...you are basically on-duty 24 hrs. during your shift. You could get knocks on the door at all hours. We certainly did in Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park.

[Merrykalia]

We are currently hosting in a Virginia State Park and I would say the most important thing you need is a great sense of humor. There are all kinds of people and some of them just seem to want to jab you til you really want to jab them (literally)! Those are few and far between.

Learn the area, have phone numbers for some local eateries that YOU have tried out, get out and walk the trails so you can give personal testimony to how easy or hard the trails are.

We always keep match books to give out, usually averaging two books per weekend. If someone looks lost or not sure of what they are doing, ask if they could use some help. It's amazing that a lot of people don't want to bother you, so they won't ask for help or information.

We keep water in a cooler outside our fifth wheel and give it out when people walk by or stop to ask questions. Make sure it ONLY has water/ice in it.

It never fails that someone will come by and need information, firewood, ice, whatever right as we are getting ready to sit down for dinner, no matter what time we eat. I don't think we have had an uninterrupted meal here at this campground.

Above all else, enjoy yourself. If you aren't enjoying yourself, it's just not worth doing.

[scrubjaysnest]

Learn the area so you can answer questions like how long is the trail, how difficult, where is the laundry mat, and shopping.

[donn0128]

Have fun! And dont be afraid to do more than your asked.