Hosting with Georgia State Parks

Come to a state park in Georgia, chances are, the first people you see in the campground are our hosts. The campground host program is one of our most popular volunteer opportunities. In exchange for a free campsite and utilities for your RV or motorhome, hosts serve the park and the public. Retired couples often find it an ideal way to spend a few months. Hosts commit to a minimum of 2 months and up to a maximum of 6 months. Hosts contribute a minimum of 24 hours per week per couple. We require hosts to register with us to be insured and to submit and clear criminal background checks for all participants in the hosting program.

Steps to Apply to Host with Georgia State Parks

You must be available at least 2 months for the minimum assignment (choose a currently open space with at least 2 months remaining)
View openings at all parks, or choose a park above in gray search bar
On the host timeline, click a GREEN LINE to apply
Fill out the answers as completely as possible

It is best to be specific about the sites you are applying for, this will help us in directing your application more expeditiously. Parks and staff rely on this information for initial screening so please include what will make you marketable as a host for Georgia State Parks. Not every application can be approved, it is best to find several parks where you would be willing to serve.

Resources

Log Your Volunteer & Hosting Hours

Please enter your volunteer hours online. This helps us show the tremendous level of support volunteers provide to Georgia State Parks!

Host Orientation Videos & Interviews

Introduction to Hosting (with favorite things about hosting, Park Ranger orientation, and advice to new hosts)
Host Work Schedules
Registering Guests After Hours at Reed Bingham and Host interviews
Equestrian Hosting
SAM Shortline Excursion Train Host
Campsite Cleaning Procedures
Customer Service
Golf Course Host: Coming Soon

Volunteer at Georgia State Parks Facebook

Host Descriptions

Campground Host

Provide information and explain rules and regulations to visitors
Assist visitors with services available
Collection of fees from visitors (as long as it is in compliance with authorized procedures)
Distribute maps and brochures to visitors
Perform light maintenance work around the campground such as picking up litter, cleaning and stocking restroom facilities
Perform emergency repairs
Perform emergency assistance for visitors such as unlocking gate in emergency situation, and keeping first aid kit on hand for minor cuts and abrasions
Help reduce litter and vandalism (mainly by your presence)
Gather information on use of facilities
Keep park staff informed of any problems
Work in the visitors center and retail centers
Perform other duties as appropriate

Maintenance Host

The maintenance hosts work only with the maintenance staff at the park taking on projects to keep the park looking good. These can include: mowing, trimming, leaf blowing, building new campsites, pressure washing, and electrical repairs to name a few. The maintenance staff will determine what projects meet the volunteer's skills and build the duties that way. The host doesn't interact with the public as much in this role.

Yurt Host

The yurt host is where the host is responsible for the yurt section of the park. Going in prior to a reservation and make sure that the yurt is ready for occupancy as well as doing a final clean up afterwards. Guests bring their own linens for yurts. Generally, turn over would be wiping down all surfaces and emptying the trash. Yurts are unique to most folks in Georgia so being a Yurt Host can also mean showing the guests where things are inside as yurt and also showing them where the closest bathhouse is. It is always good customer service to know about the park amenities and local businesses/restaurants to meet their needs.

Golf Course Host

To help the staff at our golf course enhance the experience for our guests who utilize the golfing facilities.

Requirements

Ability to work with people in a team environment
Ability to provide excellent customer service
Some experience working in a volunteer capacity
Good physical condition needed for course management duties, including possible lifting, maintenance, cleaning, ladder work, etc.
Maintain committed schedule for host slot allotted
Some experience working with groups
Plus the requirements of all Georgia State Park and Historic Sites Volunteers

Time Required

24 hours per person per week; may vary from course to course depending on need.

Supervision

Required daily contact with the course assigned supervisor.

Duties

The duties of the golf host may vary from course to course. The day usually begins around 7:00 a.m. For detailed list see the Volunteer Welcome Packet.
Around the Driving Range
Patrol Golf Course for Trash
Patrol Golf Course and Clubhouse for Routine Maintenance
Customer Service

Excursion Train Host

Requirements

Ability to work with people in a team environment
Ability to work for long hours on days scheduled
Knowledge of trains, electrical, construction, landscaping a plus
Must have a customer service and people-person driven personality
Must attend training and orientation regarding operations and safety of volunteering on the train
Must be cheerful and helpful to passengers at all times
And other duties as required for the smooth, successful functioning of train operations

Time Required

24 hours per person per week; may vary depending on season and train schedule.

Train Handbook for Train Volunteers

Other Hosting Opportunities

Chehaw Park

Looking for a friendly and honest couple to serve as volunteer campground hosts. We are a 786 acre park located 1 mile northeast of Albany on the banks of Lake Chehaw and Muckalee Creek. Amenities at the park include an AZA accredited zoo originally designed by world famous naturalist Jim Fowler, a small gauge railroad and train, playgrounds, walking trails, BMX bicycle track, 18 hole disc golf course, stocked catfish pond, boat dock on Lake Chehaw, nature trails, picnic and rental shelters and campgrounds. We offer a free 30/50 amp full hookup pull through site in exchange for 24 hours/week. Duties would include greeting and registering campers, maintaining restrooms and monitoring campgrounds. Check our website, www.chehaw.org for more information on the park. Contact the Natural Resources Manager at 229 430-5280 or bkirkland@chehaw.org if interested.

Towns Bluff RV Park and Campground

Volunteer Camp Host

Looking for an honest, hard working, and friendly couple or single to serve as volunteer camp hosts. We are a small, quiet, county-maintained park located in the piney woods of south Georgia on the banks of the Altamaha River in the Bullard Creek Wildlife Management Area, near Hazlehurst, Georgia. We have a 25 site campground, primitive area, boat ramp, nature trails and day-use area. We offer a free hookup site with power, water, sewer, laundry, and wi-fi in exchange for a flexible 20 hours per week in host duties. Duties would include greeting and registering campers, cleaning restrooms, checking the day-use area of the park, and various others as needed. A park truck and two days off are provided. For more information about the park, visit www.townsbluffpark.com or contact park managers at 912-379-9303 or info@townsbluffpark.com.

Clybel WMA

Looking for hosts to monitor camping activities on a primitive campground, pick up litter at the campground, and provide services or information to the campers. Hosts must have cleared criminal background check. For more information on the roles and hosting opportunity at Clybel WMA, contact Bobby T. Bond, Wildlife Resources Division, call (478) 825-6354 or email Bobby.Bond@dnr.ga.gov.

Jekyll Island Campground (Jekyll Island, Georgia)

Spring/Summer months only

Accepting applications for a friendly, energetic, hardworking retired couple or retired single person. We have 3 positions that we use Host Volunteers (bath houses, checking in guest after store hours, grounds). Come and enjoy “Georgia’s Jewel”. The campground, with over 170 campsites, consists of 18 acres under a canopy of trees with beautiful scenery. Host is provided a full hook up site that includes (power, water, sewer, cable, Wi-Fi). Host must be able to work 24 hours/week in exchange for site rental with a minimum of 3–6 months max. Come join our team here at Jekyll Island Campground in Southeast Georgia on the Atlantic Ocean. Email resumes to Ronnie Douglas at rdouglas@jekyllisland.com. Check out our website at www.jekyllisland.com.

Bobby Brown Park, Elbert County Parks & Recreation Department

Maintenance Host Position

Bobby Brown Park is looking for a Volunteer Maintenance Host who is friendly, energetic and hard-working to become part of the team at the park. Duties will include, but not limited to: equipment repairs and maintenance, minor plumbing and electrical repairs, grass cutting, bathroom cleaning and other general park maintenance. We have 58 campsites, two picnic shelters, group shelter, picnic area, trails, pedal boat rentals and a pioneer camping area. In this position, you will be offered a free campsite with power, water, sewer and laundry facilities in exchange for 24 to 30 flexible hours per week. The host must clear a criminal background check. If you don’t mind a little hard work and enjoy being around people and fellow campers, this is the job for you! Bobby Brown is located on the southeastern tip of Elbert County on Clarks Hill Lake.
For more information, please contact Danny Burt, Park Manager, at (706) 283-5500.

Contact Information

For more information on volunteering, contributing your time, or to receive your copy of the volunteer information packet, please contact:
Rachel.rupe@dnr.ga.gov
770-389-7278