The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to serve as campground hosts this summer. Linda King is coordinator of the D.N.R.’s campground host program.
“We have about 20 openings and they usually fill pretty fast, so if people are interested we would encourage them to call or go to our website,” King said. The campground hosts, in exchange for their work, receive a free designated campsite with hookups.
The D.N.R. also holds a picnic at the end of the season for all of the volunteers hosts. “It’s a great time for people who love to be out and about and love to be with people,” King said.
In most cases, campground hosts are needed to begin work in early April. King said the work involves assisting campers and light maintenance. “They help check campers in and out, help make sure the campground is maintained and clean, and they also make sure our bathrooms are up to par,” King said.
Hosts are needed for the season at the follow parks; Pine Lake, Pilot Knob, Walnut Woods, Lake Keomah, Lake Manawa, Lewis and Clark, Bellevue, Backbone, Beeds Lake, Clear Lake, Ledges, Nine Eagles, Pikes Peak, Viking Lake, Yellow River and Elk Rock.
Applications are available online at: volunteer.iowadnr.gov, or by calling 515-242-5704.