Opportunity to meet different people, learn lots about an area, serve the Nation's public.
Must enjoy the outdoors and like helping people. Apply to the Forest Service office that administers your favorite campground. Sound interesting? We call it the Campground Host Program, and it's sponsored by the 18 National Forests in California. Campground Hosts are National Forest volunteers who serve as campground patrons; they greet visitors, provide information, and help with grounds upkeep. Specifically, Campground Hosts serve campground users by:

• Offering information and explaining regulations, such as the campground fee system. They answer-questions on local attractions, activities, and current road, trail, and fishing conditions. They also provide information on local services such as gas stations, stores, and medical facilities.
• Performing minor maintenance on campground facilities. Hosts also do limited campsite cleaning and help keep the campground litter-free.
• Referring v. isitors who need help to the proper Forest Officer.
• Participating in interpretive programs and maintaining message centers and bulletin boards.

What sort of people become Campground Hosts?
Although Hosts are of different ages and backgrounds, they are friendly, cooperative, and like to help others. They enjoy the outdoors, and are eager to learn and share knowledge about their forest area. Hosts must be at least 18 years old and supply their own camper, trailer, etc. Many Campground Hosts are retired persons who enjoy spending their summers in the mountains.
In return for help, Campground Hosts can stay at one or more campgrounds for part or all of a season.
Often they get first choice at a campground unit, provided the unit is visible to other campers.
Hosts do not pay recreation fees, and may be reimbursed by the Forest Service for incidental expenses.
Campground Hosts are covered by work injury compensation and the Federal Tort Claims Act.
The satisfaction of helping both the National Forest and its visitors is Hosting's greatest reward. By their presence, Hosts minimize vandalism, thereby saving the taxpayer many dollars in upkeep and property damage.
There's no substitute for the personal touch that makes a camper feel welcome and "at home". Who else can inform a visitor when and where the fish bite best, or who built the old sawmill at the end of the trail? Campground Hosts meet visitors from all walks of life, and often fellow campers become lasting friends. Many Hosts and campers return to the same campground year after year, sharing stories of new grandchildren, winter activities, old memories.

 HOW CAN YOU BECOME A CAMPGROUND HOST?

Send the information below to the National Forest office for the area in which you wish to serve. Also is a map (still not on line) showing National Forest locations, and a list (below) giving the addresses of each of the National Forests in the Pacific Southwest Region.

Information: Name (last, first, middle); Address (street, city, state, zip code), Telephone Number, Dates of Availability, Type of your camping / RV equipment, Forests (and Campgrounds if known) in order of preference, Related Skills, Interests and Experience.

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST - 150 South Los Robles Avenue / Pasadena, CA 91101

CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST - 880 Front Street / San Diego, CA 92188

ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST - 100 Front Road / Placerville, CA 95667

INYO NATIONAL FOREST - 873 North Main / Bishop, CA 93514

KLAMATH NATIONAL FOREST - 1312 Fairiane Road / Yreka, CA 96097

LASSEN NATIONAL FOREST - 707 Nevada Street / Susanville, CA 96130

LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST - 42 Aero Camino / Goleta, CA 93017

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST - 420 East Laurel Street / Willows, CA 95988

MODOC NATIONAL FOREST - 441 North Main Street / Alturas, CA 96101

PLUMAS-NATIONAL FOREST - 159 Lawrence Street / Quincy, CA 95971

SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST - 144 North Mountain View Avenue / San Bernardino, CA 92408

SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST - 900 West Grand Avenue / Porlervile, CA 93257

SHASTA-TRINITY NATIONAL FORESTS - 2400 Washington Avenue / Redding, CA 96001

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST - 1130 "O" Street / Fresno, CA 93721

SIX RIVERS NATIONAL FOREST - 507 "F" Street / Eureka, CA 955101

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST - 19777 Greenley Road / Sonora, CA 95370

TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST - Highway 49 & Coyote Street / Nevada City, CA 95959

LAKE TAHOE BASIN MANAGEMENT UNIT - P.O. Box 8465 / South Lake Tahoe, CA 95705