Finding the PERFECT National Forest Position



This picture is of Shanty Pond Campground.  Our first job offer from the Forest Service!  We started with an online application, as we didn't know who to call directly.  It was so easy!  Just go to: Volunteer and search the available jobs.  Campground hosts receive free campground site use, so we checked the current fee per day to get an idea of the benefit we'd receive.  Shanty was a primitive campground and only $4/day.  Depending on which forest you would be working in, there may be a "daily subsistence and/or travel reimbursement"...as well as compensation for personal vehicle and cell phone use for Forest Service business.   This job's only benefit was the use of a Kawasaki Mule.  It had no hookup for water, just one water pump and one vault toilet for over 100 camp sites.  It also required a 6-month commitment...but we were excited.  We believed the postings about how hard it was to get any type of offer. 

We studied the Basic Requirements:

• Enjoy working positively with the public and being visible.  Convey the recreation facility rules as necessary.
• Provide own self-contained living unit.
• Agree to a background check as Hosts handle sensitive information, communicate with by radio and in some cases handle cash.  Provide a copy of your driving record and take a driving course.
• In good health and physical condition (repeated bending and lifting to clean restrooms and fire rings, litter pickup, filling potholes, and maybe even splitting firewood and pulling vegetation.)
• Able to operate equipment such as a leafblower, trimmer, mower, etc.

We shared pictures of Shanty, and our family complained 6 months was too long and the Ocala was too remote (no internet or cell service).  But there's only 15 campgrounds in all of Ocala National Forest.  What else could we possibly get? 
While searching on the internet for reviews about this campground, I found police reports of shootings and even a brutal murder of two environmentalists by gun shot.  It turned out this was mostly a hunters' camp and only had dirt roads.  I started nightmaring about drunken hunters laden with multiple guns.  Oh, no.

Camp Hosting National Parks

Hosts in national parks seem extra, extra happy. There's a generic online application that can go to all of the parks, but volunteer coordinators suggest you send a paper copy to any park you are most interested in. We sent a picture of ourselves as well with a cover letter. You have to be enthusiastic and really sell yourself, as the baby boomers are flooding the coordinators with applications for host positions. You can find the ap at any park's site. Here's the one we found for Zion, as we talked with the hosts there in person: http://www.nps.gov/zion/supportyourpark/campground-host-volunteer-opportunity.htm The only pay for your labors is your spot and up to a $30 propane allowance per month.  It's always worth a try...  We got a very nice offer from the Everglades.  Click here to see the Volunteer Application 

Above is the 31K parked on the Virgin River. I went up Watchman Trail to get an "aerial" view of our RV. Taken 4/1/11