Getting a Job at a County Park Campground

We re-visited E. G. Simmons County Park...where we had lived with our 6 children when we first came to Florida in 1984.  We had a tiny old trailer then that had only one small bed, one canvas tent and no money, but it was the happiest time of our lives.  I had just finished painting our 100-year-old home in Pennsylvania inside/outside (after burning off all of the paint and almost burning the house down).  I crocheted curtains (including the two below) refinished all of the honey-colored interior oak trim and mantle, and stripped the ancient archival layers of wall paper (the toughest job of all).  We were forced to sell this architectural wonder due to no income and no way to heat the enormous 3-story structure....other than gathering sticks in the street (for real).   The kids had croup, so we just drove south and found refuge in Florida parks.  

I tried to take a photo of each of the places where our children played long ago...as I could still seem to hear their giggles in the breeze.  I was clicking away when I was surprised by a flock of "pterodactyls" flying overhead.  Memory jog!  Our son, Nathan, had hit the ground as soon as he first left the safety of our old station wagon upon our arrival in 1984.  Why?  Bob had yelled "Pterodactyls!" as a flock of giant blue herons flew closely overhead!  Below is the much-changed 2011 beach and playground, but the picnic pavilion where our youngest was "married" (at age 3) to another young camper is much the same.

 The sites look the same as back then (new RV, excepted) and we still get around by bike, and coon tracks are everywhere, and the rangers are still extra friendly. 

E.G. Simmons Park Marina

We found out that Volunteer camphosting in county RV parks is an excellent way to live in some of the most beautiful places in the United States with a free site and utilities in exchange for a few hours of work.   Not only are you providing a valuable community service, you benefit financially as well.  The rangers treat the hosts like "they walk on water"...and their only duty is usually just to clean their assigned restroom.  At E.G. Simmons there were 5 hosting couples.  As always, the best way to find a job is to actually camp where you'd like to work, talk with the hosts and the volunteer coordinator to see if you like what you hear about the job, and then if you are interested....ask if they need help.  If they are "full up" then still leave a card or an application in case something comes open...and it often does.  Hosts usually commit so far in advance to a job, that there is enough time for life circumstances to change their ability to host at an agreed on time.

So what are the general requirements for county camp hosts?  Hosts need to be outgoing and love meeting new people..... able to deal positively with different kinds of people and understand the limits of their authority and responsibility. (You are only supposed to inform the public, not enforce rules.)  They should have strong camping experience, familiarity with the county parks and a knowledge of the area surrounding the campgrounds (or are willing to do what it takes to gain such knowledge).  Hosts provide their own camping unit, which can even be a tent...if you are that tough.    Go for it!

Want to be paid Cash Money?

There ARE many, many camp hosting positions that are paid (in real money).  One of the must varied lists of camp host jobs is found at http://www.simplyhired.com/ .  You can get your free spot without even being in a campground.  Another surprising site is jobsonline.net  with an easy search gadget.  You could be involved with anything from camp counseling to RV sales.

We worked with a couple who had happily been employed by Hoodoo Recreation.  She had been an area manager, and he drove a nice truck around with a spray system mounted on the back.  He could clean outhouses in a whole forest in one quick run.  Word is they all smelled great, too.  The secret?  Jasmine air fresheners and biological agents which contain not only potent enzymes, but also bacteria to break down the mess.  Anyway, click on the following site for an excellent description of both host and attendant jobs... It also explains why some jobs pay more than others:  Hoodoo Campground Host Job Descriptions

Recreation Resource Management has contracts to staff many campgrounds throughout ten states. They hire about 500 seasonal employees per year to work at one of 175 different campgrounds.  You can apply with Recreation Resource Management in one of three ways; you can apply online, download an application from the website and mail it in, or receive a paper application by mail to mail back in.   Click here to learn more or go to CampHost.org .  One caveat:  Some hosts have complained area managers with RRM have given them such a hard time that they felt they had to quit.  We do not know if some situations have really been that bad, do you?

I was told ALL of the state parks in Texas pay their camp hosts.  See How to apply for Texas State Park jobs  It turns out SOME of the jobs are paid.  The State of California has had paid camp hosts in the past but is going toward using more and more volunteers.  Check out their jobs at California Host Positions .    Don't forget Older and Bolder for paid jobs.

Legacy RV Resorts hires for their RV resorts in eight states. Visit http://www.legacyrvresorts.com/ to learn more about the job opportunities available.  Their online application is very easy to fill out.

Are you interested in employment at a Jellystone Park™? Check out the parks who are looking to fill  positions by visiting http://www.campjellystone.com/.  Please contact the individual parks directly for detailed information.  Bob and I paid to stay in a Jellystone campground here in Florida, and it's a great place if you miss having kids around.

If you go to http://koa.com/community/ there's a list of KOAs you can contact for employment.  As always, it's best to go in person to the campground you are interested in.  You want to see what the job is, and the employer will feel so much more comfortable meeting you in person before offering you a position.