observations on Campground hosts

[Pawpod]

I was just posting the dictionary meanings. Hosts are not caretakers or janitors per say.

Having needing one last year, who by the way was very helpful and saved us from a insanely irate camper (who both man and woman was swearing insanely loud after they almost rammed our trailer). The host literally ran over having hearing the screaming from the other side of the campground. I'm glad for people like them who choose to be hosts. A tip of the hat to all of them.

[OldCoot]

You sure don't expect a hotel concierge to make your bed, sweep your floors, fix your toilet or serve your meals and do the dishes, why on earth would you expect a cg host to repair plumbing? JMO.

[Witch Doctor]

I would guess it depends on the person, I have a friend who has done this all over the united states. He was honored in Alaska and given a plaque for being such a great host. He gets calls from all over asking him to work for them. He will do what he can for you but then he has to call the COE or the State Ranger to do somethings. He was nominated by Good Sams as the best and came in second in National voting last year. Him and his wife do more then anyone, so I guess some people want a free ride! Whats new about that, and others really care. People shouldn't put them all in the same basket. By the way he was also awarded a pin by the President of the USA. He just enjoys the life style and helping people. His name is John Grubka and been doing this for 10 years . As I write this he is at Samuel Taylor park in Cal. for the next 4 mos....

[Jim Scofield]

Originally Posted by Derald1961

I am reading the same topic and my comments were directed right at your wheel house. It appears others share my opinion. I found your all inclusive comments (less the 20% that lived up to your standards of course) degrading to an industry of people of whom most you know nothing about.

As I mentioned several times - this was our experience on this trip. It hasn't been on other trips , and it prompted me to share our experience with others.
I certainly sugar coated it as my wife had much choicer words about certain hosts and her feelings on the subject.

[Jim Scofield]

Sam Taylor is still great park with a great host! That was one of our stops! Please tell him thank you.

[Triguy]

Like the OP and a lot of you, we've also spanned the range of quality from great to apathetic to downright bad hosts.

The great and bad hosts get a feedback card from me. Well, actually their bosses get the feedback but you know what I mean.

Two weeks ago we stayed at a small older SP in Wisconsin called Pikes Lake and had the best hosts. The husband drove around helping people back into their rather tight wooded sites, took orders for firewood or ice (and delivered it) and went out of his way to learn names. That was a new one for me and a nice touch.

But, I've been there with most of you on your bad experiences, too. The best that you can do is give the rangers feedback on them and don't wait until the end of your trip is my advice.

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by Jim Scofield

As I mentioned several times - this was our experience on this trip. It hasn't been on other trips , and it prompted me to share our experience with others.
I certainly sugar coated it as my wife had much choicer words about certain hosts and her feelings on the subject.

No matter how many times you make that point, there will still be people who think your report was an indictment of all campground hosts. I didn't view it as such.

[Jim Scofield]

Originally Posted by mjones12

No matter how many times you make that point, there will still be people who think your report was an indictment of all campground hosts. I didn't view it as such.

Thanks - I suppose people maybe dont take the time to read - or maybe read what they want to read.

[skeeterbait8]

Speaking from experience... some camp host go above and beyond the call of duty! That's how I broke my leg! I love hosting. Loved talking to people, seeing where they were from, where headed, etc. If I could I'd do it just about year round.

[Jim Scofield]

What happened to your leg?

[jtstromsburg]

Originally Posted by Jim Scofield

What happened to your leg?

X2 need a good night story anyways....

[Terier]

Not all camphosts are created equal. Overall I've been lucky but there has been a time or two that I wished the camphost on duty would had been of help when it was necessary. With that said I have found campsite neighbors to be an excellent resource to tap into.

[Taylorgso]

I guess CG hosts are sort of like the campground visitors... some are great, some not so great, some you don't want camping next to you! That figures, since hosts are really just campers with a title! But I would not expect any of them to do plumbing or electrical repairs... that's best left to a professional; though I would certainly expect them to report problems to the proper person.

[Jim Scofield]

The broken leg sounds like it must have a great story to it!

[skeeterbait8]

I'll be honest, I'm neither Young or Small. But dang it I can drive! For a while back in my early 20's I even drove OTR (Bull Wagon!)!!

This young man and his wife came into the campground. They had been at another and needed to dump his tanks before setting up in his spot. The low spot for the wheels, well the fella just couldn't get his camper in the right spot to do a REALLY clean job of dumping.

I was actually on my way down to the bath house to shower when I saw what he was trying to do. I asked him if he would be offended if I offered to help him put his camper where it needed to be. To my surprise he took me up on my offer!

NOW..... There is a raised island in the center.... with at one point in the middle of said Island there had been a trash can that was bolted down with 4 bolts.

They had removed the can but left those pesky bolts sticking UP!

Needless to say..... yep you got it. My big feet caught one of the bolts and down I went. When I came to my senses I was semi under the side of his truck. Everything moved but my left leg!

They came to check on me later that night after I got back from the ER. I made a point to tell him that "I can back a camper/trailer a heck of a lot better than I can walk!"

And needless to say.... AFTER I break my leg and finally leave the campgrounds they cut the bolts off! DUH!

[Taylorgso]

Skeeter:
Considering that story, you're obviously the campground host we'd all like to have!

[Jim Scofield]

Amazing story!

[BuckeyeChuck]

Originally Posted by Vern

Yeah, we should probably put down the broad brush. I have had nothing but positive experiences with the campground hosts I've observed or with whom I have interacted. I do understand how they might appear invisible at times, but have always understood them to essentially be fellow campers serving in a volunteer capacity. Like most people in campgrounds, they probably are pretty aware that most campers are usually not looking to be pestered. I'm sure the duties vary from state to state and campground to campground. In Michigan, what bodzcampers described above is about the norm at our state parks. Therefore, in most cases, I view the hosts as serving more of an "information desk" role, and as a resource in a pinch. I remember at Van Buren S.P. over Memorial Day weekend 2012 being absolutely impressed and astonished at the herculean effort of the CG Host, who spent his entire Memorial Day at the dump station helping folks keep the lines moving, using his own equipment, directing traffic, stepping in where needed. I definitely can understand the frustration the original poster described with a dysfunctional water service. However, if a camper wants to be coddled and waited on, maybe a hotel reservation with a concierge is a better option than a campground with a volunteer host. JMHO.

I couldn't have said it better.