Sunday, August 14, 2011

Vehicle Type for Camp Hosting









When you apply to be a camp host you are asked what you will be living in and what you will be driving. We had a 1986 Mini Winnebago when we were first hired last year....and a 1996 Ford Aerostar van. Your employer doesn't seem concerned with what you live in, if it's comfortable for you...but be careful about the vehicle you drive. You may be expected to use it on the job. So it's a good idea to ask before you sign on: "Will I be expected to use my own vehicle to do the work required of me as a host?" Some campgrounds are very tough on vehicles...and some jobs require you to drive between areas that might be spread out over quite a few miles. Gas prices must be considered. So again you need to ask questions: "Will a vehicle or cart be provided?" "If I have to use my own vehicle, will I be reimbursed for mileage?"

We loved our Wini...but it didn't have a hot shower...and most campgrounds hiring hosts did not have showers....so we sold our $6500 RV to a cute girl who turned it into a hippie pad and took it to live on the California coast.






























Saturday, August 13, 2011

How to be a Camp Host

First, talk with any and all camp hosts you can contact who already work in areas you are interested in. I've never found one who didn't love the job...and who wasn't happy to pass on any info that might be helpful to you. It was only last year that I ever talked with a camp host, after camping all of my life. I thought they were aloof and dictatorial...essentially all about very strict camping rules. Wrong. This past year our contacts were not only friendly, but frank...and encouraging: "Do it! Be a camp host; you'll love it!"

Second, it's almost mandatory that you be married. Management companies hire couples. So be sure you and your spouse can get along well (I mean really well) in a confined space...and you have no problems working as a team. It doesn't work out well if one does most or all of the work.

Thirdly, look for a small assignment at first with 30 or fewer hours a week, if you can. It would be sad if you took a long assignment...say 4 or more months, with heavy responsibilities...and then realized hosting was not for you.

You can fill out applications for groups such as CampHost.org, Workamper, etc., and even send a resume...but usually nothing happens. It's best to go right to the campground you are interested in, check it out and start asking questions. If it's a place you want to be, ask if they need any help. We got our first job when a camp host asked us why we were parking our RV in a group tent area in Jordan Pines, Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City. Our son had invited us to join his family on a church group outing, and we guessed that RVs weren't allowed...but we came along anyway. The host who questioned our being there was happy to answer our questions about his job. And when we asked how to get a hosting job (not seriously) he said he was the area manager and happened to have an opening at Albion Basin in the next canyon, near the Alta Ski Resort. We were curious enough to ask for an application, filled it out on the spot, and we were hired (with no interview). How could it be so easy? We soon got a cool ranger-like uniform, name badge and sturdy work gloves and were all set to go.