Community Forums

oatmeal · 07-19-2017, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superslif

I have talked about this with my wife something I might want to do when I retire in short stints (2-4 week periods) but she has no interest in that.

They tend to want a commitment for more than 2-4 weeks.

missourijan · 07-19-2017, 08:21 AM

We have been park hosts for at least one season all of the 11 years we've been fulltiming. It's been a positive experience. The state parks are always short of funds and always grateful to have volunteers. We've volunteered in 4 different states and the rangers have been great. We always choose the area we want to be in then look for a hosting position. Yes, 30 hours is a bit high but not a big deal. If it's a place you want to be then take it. Don't take advice from those that have never done it. You will always get something out of it. If you don't like it, you don't go back the next season. The thing that gets old is the same questions over & over again but it's part of the job. We could write a book on the weird questions we've been asked and the crazy things that have happened.

jpharley · 07-19-2017, 10:00 AM

We volunteered at a Georgia State Park. It was a mess. The previous 2 Head Rangers were fired and no one knew what was going on. We were supposed to be campground hosts but they had way too many volunteers so we ended up cleaning three bathrooms outside the campground but in the state park. The bathrooms had not been cleaned in years. And I have never met a more racist group of people in the other volunteers. Kind of put us off volunteering after that. We stayed the duration of our obligation but we were very uncomfortable there.

lenkerb · 07-19-2017, 10:13 AM

we are presently hosting the Buffalo Bill State Park Cody WY. We 'work' four days a week. My DH maintains the pit toilets and the stainless steel shower/bathhouse. I cut grass on a John Deere...and do fire pits. We do not work a straight 7 hr day... couple of hours here and there and talk to guests. Fishing is great right on site! Yellowstone is 30 miles west, Cody has a ton of things to see and do including the nightly rodeo...we drive to Montana to the Beartooth and the Tetons. Hosting is a great way to experience the area. We came in May and will leave early Sept. We have a private site with full hook up. Two years ago I worked in the fee booth and was paid.