Iowans who have the free time could spend this entire summer camping – for free – at an Iowa state park. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for people to serve as campground hosts at 11 state parks. In exchange for the work, the hosts receive a free designated campsite with hookups.
Linda King, coordinator of the D.N.R.’s volunteer campground host program, says the open positions are posted on the agency’s website. Applicants must provide references and pass a criminal background check. “It’s really open to anyone – families, retired people, or just folks who like to camp and would like to be good hosts to campers visiting our state parks,” King said.
The live-in hosts answer questions, direct visitors to points of interest, and perform other administrative or maintenance tasks. “Duties are usually light cleaning in the restrooms, maybe some litter pickup or answering phones at the park office,” King said.
Many campground hosts are retirees who spend every summer at the same state park. King says some people have been serving as volunteer campground hosts for 11 years. Hosts can live in a mobile home, RV or 5th wheel for the summer.
Find out more on the D.N.R.’s website: www.iowadnr.gov/volunteer/camphostpage.html