www.volunteer.gov  is where I go to search for the next position open for RV camp hosting.  For a senior couple in retirement, this is one inexpensive way to travel throughout the United States and enjoy this fabulous country.  I’ve met a few of these retirees, who watch over the National Parks Service sites, and I’ll be honest with you – these people are walking libraries of knowledge on two legs!  

For instance, meet the Holbrooks.  Tony is a retired university professor with a doctorate degree in human speech.  This guy has written articles and spoke at forums regarding human speech and sound waves (Fairbanks & Holbrooks).  Yet here he is for six months out of the year, hosting one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the world – Madison Campground in Yellowstone National Park.  (Ok, I know this is being posted in February 2008 – I did the interview back in June and met him at the campground!)  I could be doing the same interview with him in San Antonio, Texas because that’s where he is going during the winter months. 

The Holbrooks will meet up with their friends, the McEvers, and together they will host a Mission campground near the Alamo, in Texas.  Mr. Holbrook was full of wild stories about the places he and his wife have hosted.  He tells the story that last year in Yellowstone, park rangers had to arrest a man who frequently wore a gorilla suit and was harassing the elk!  He told me, “We love volunteering because it helps us meet so many new people and learn about where they are coming from.  We get to experience the world through them.”  “If you can figure out where all of us volunteers can get together for a ‘knowledge symposium’ let us know.  With our aging population, there is a vast amount of experience and knowledge that is being untapped.  The younger generations may understand computers, video concepts, and nano-technology, yet we are still here and have history, basic technology building blocks from which all these other process sprung, and we have business and people skills that are being left untapped.  Just take a look at that homemade RV over there – technology at its simplest.”

I assured him, I’d pass on the information to all of you.  So, here we are – now where from here?  One of the camp hosting job descriptions available at www.volunteer.gov is about spending an entire year helping with the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.  The Chickasaw National Recreation Area is nestled in south-central Oklahoma, 75 miles south of Oklahoma City and 140 miles north of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. The 9,931-acre recreation area contains Travertine Nature Center, fresh water and mineral springs, six campgrounds with electric and water hookups and comfort stations with showers, 2,350-acre Lake of the Arbuckle’s, 67-acre Veterans Lake, and over 20 miles of hiking trails. The recreation area preserves natural and cultural resources and provides recreation for a million and half visitors each year. Visitor activities center on water recreation in the lakes and streams and include boating, fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking, nature study, and hunting.  The summers are hot and humid. Temperatures above 100 degrees occur, and humidity frequently exceeds 50 percent. Winters are mild. Thunderstorms are common in April through July.

“Our greatest need each season is for campground hosts. Seven host sites are available in four of the six campgrounds. The campground host is the eyes and ears in the campgrounds for Chickasaw National Recreation Area and serves as the guardian steward for the campground area. The host greets visitors and answers questions about the recreation area and campgrounds in an informed and courteous manner, checks for payment on nightly stays, informs visitors of campground rules and regulations, minor emergency services, light grounds maintenance and grooming, and restocking of restroom supplies.  Other volunteer opportunities that occur on a less frequent basis are librarian, visitor information, interpretive programs, and aquarium exhibit.  Descriptions of the volunteer duties are available upon request.  

If you have any interest in one of these fields, and can volunteer with us long-term, please send us your application (with references). Send to:  Chickasaw National Recreation Area Volunteer Coordinator, 1008 W. 2nd Street,   Sulphur, Oklahoma,  73086.

This is tailor made for an outgoing hardy couple who are into retirement and hosting.  Just think of all the fun you can have when your destination is to one of the many national park service campgrounds.  Happy Traveling!

(Photos are courtesy of the National Parks Service, and Rhonda Pipkin)