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09-16-2019, 12:33 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 4,549
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Volunteering in national parks?
Not sure where to post this but does anyone know of information sources about volunteering in national parks? I'd like to learn more, from sources other than the parks themselves.
They are an obvious source but I'm also looking for alternative sources. Web sites such as this that are frequented by people with experience would be ideal.
TIA
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars
Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)
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09-16-2019, 09:08 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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Have you looked at the Workamper site? It's probably the number one site for info. And their site leads to more resources you can use.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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09-16-2019, 09:31 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 4,549
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bama Rambler
Have you looked at the Workamper site? It's probably the number one site for info. And their site leads to more resources you can use.
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No, but thanks. That's the kind of information I was looking for.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars
Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)
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09-16-2019, 09:40 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: IL
Posts: 1,295
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Hi,
If you come up dry on national parks, the Bureau of Land Management, and I also believe the Forest Service, use volunteers in their campgrounds. Google would be your friend in that regard.
Hope this helps.
Rich Phillips
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Rich Phillips
2019 K-2500 Duramax Crew Cab
2014 Silverback 33RL
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09-17-2019, 02:20 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Santa Fe, Tx
Posts: 243
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Try volunteer.gov
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2012 F250 6.2 gasser 373 rear
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09-17-2019, 03:42 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: L\Anywhere and everywhere
Posts: 263
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Volunteer.gov is by far the best one to use. The VIP (Volunteers in Parks) coordinators are usually hard to contact.
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Kayo
2014 Primetime Sanibel 3051 pulled by a 2013 Chevy Silverado 3500HP dually diesel. Full timers wince 2003 with DW of 53 year. NPS Park Ranger
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09-17-2019, 04:22 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Kansas
Posts: 107
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A bit off of what the poster asked.... I visited Yellow Stone (YSNP) a few years back as a camper. When ever I stopped within YSNP (restaurants, gift shops, gas stations, RV campsite ect.) and I saw workers I would ask them the pros and cons of working in the park. The negative comments seemed to out weighed the positive. I tried to ask the older park works that seemed to be closer to my age (retired age). All the websites I visited painted a very rosy picture. This is just my experience. I'm sure there are a lot people who have worked at parks and loved every minute. Hopefully, some one who subscribes to this site will share their experience.
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09-17-2019, 10:13 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 4,549
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Were the people you spoke to volunteering for the park or working for the concessionaire? I'm under the impression there's a big difference.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars
Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)
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09-18-2019, 09:12 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: L\Anywhere and everywhere
Posts: 263
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For NPS volunteers, you need to work 32 hours per week to get a free RV site.
Working for a concessioner is like any other job - its a job! Yes, you are usually ina very special place, like YELL, but you are still a employee with a work schedule, witch trumps your desires. My situation is a bit different as I work as a seasonal Park Ranger, uniform and all. My wife, however, has worked for concessioners at several parks, some good some not so. When talking to worker bees, ask WHO they work for
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Kayo
2014 Primetime Sanibel 3051 pulled by a 2013 Chevy Silverado 3500HP dually diesel. Full timers wince 2003 with DW of 53 year. NPS Park Ranger
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09-18-2019, 09:16 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 1,458
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kayo
For NPS volunteers, you need to work 32 hours per week to get a free RV site.
Working for a concessioner is like any other job - its a job! Yes, you are usually ina very special place, like YELL, but you are still a employee with a work schedule, witch trumps your desires. My situation is a bit different as I work as a seasonal Park Ranger, uniform and all. My wife, however, has worked for concessioners at several parks, some good some not so. When talking to worker bees, ask WHO they work for
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so any you would recommend or stay away from?
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2015 Ram 2500 4x4 6.4l with 2015 Sandpiper 25RLS
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09-18-2019, 09:29 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: L\Anywhere and everywhere
Posts: 263
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Really depends on the park and the local concessioner management, Xanterra and Delaware North are two of the majors. She has worked for both. The park's affiliated associations operate the book stores in the visitor centers but these positions are usually hard to come by
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Kayo
2014 Primetime Sanibel 3051 pulled by a 2013 Chevy Silverado 3500HP dually diesel. Full timers wince 2003 with DW of 53 year. NPS Park Ranger
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09-18-2019, 09:40 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Bradenton, FL
Posts: 64
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Coolworks.com is another good resource. They mainly have jobs, not volunteer positions but they usually have volunteer positions listed by mid winter for summer season. They have a section dedicated to national parks, and also a section for jobs that include an RV space.
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2015 Ceder Creek 38FB2
2016 F350 Dually Diesel
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09-18-2019, 10:00 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: ALASKA (World's Biggest Campground)
Posts: 6,594
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Don't know about the NP's in the lower 48, but Denali NP, and some others in the state have these programs. Some are paid positions, some are strictly volunteer. Yes, most of the time you'll receive free camping, but you're going to have to "work" for it. Usually 30-32 hours per week. Often the work tasks are arduous, at all hours and not always under the best conditions. A lot of college kids take advantage of these programs. We have many folks that come from outside expecting free leisurely camping. They learn differently in a hurry and very seldom last more than a couple of days.
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09-18-2019, 11:33 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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In addition many state parks use "Campground Host" positions. I believe here in LA they pay a small stipend as well as free site.
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09-18-2019, 07:23 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 4,549
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Quote:
Originally Posted by D W
... We have many folks that come from outside expecting free leisurely camping. They learn differently in a hurry and very seldom last more than a couple of days. ...
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Outsiders may not recognize that "outside" has a specific meaning to Alaskans.
__________________
TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars
Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)
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09-19-2019, 12:26 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 4,549
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kayo
For NPS volunteers, you need to work 32 hours per week to get a free RV site. ...
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What is the cash value of that site? Divide that by 32, then multiply by about 1.25 (offsetting taxes) to get your hourly compensation rate. But I don't think of volunteering in a NP in purely financial terms. Among other things, by spending longer periods in those parks you get to see things you probably wouldn't, on a short term stay.
__________________
TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars
Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)
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09-22-2019, 11:49 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 822
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Volunteering in national parks?
DW and I are just finishing our first volunteer Campground Host assignment at Glacier National Park. It has been fantastic! The reward has been spending 3 months in a fantastic park and working with an incredible number of happy campers.
Yes it did involve long days but not really hard work. Yes you will encounter a few unhappy campers but if you don’t mind working with the public it’s a great job.
Most National Park volunteer opportunities can be found on Volunteer.gov but a few, like Glacier NP, are only mentioned in the volunteer section of their website. Read the description carefully as the duties vary from park to park.
Again we have really enjoyed it and look forward to our next opportunity.
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Happy Campin!
Forester 2451s
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