Being a Camp host. So, just what is a camp host. It depends on the employer.
Concessionaire companies , this is a company that has won the bid to manage government sites.
Camp Host Volunteer, a volunteer that works directly for the Department of the Interior. Example, would be: Corp of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, National Forest and National Parks.
The main difference, you are consider a paid employee for a concessionaire, where you work 32 hrs., a week, receive a site, and a small salary.
As a volunteer, you normally just receive a site.
The main job is to take care of the campground and a source of information. We inform the campers of the rules and regulation. Most campers are very agreeable to follow the rules, however there is always that 1 %, that believes otherwise.
This was the case on Friday, June 18. A camper was informed of the rule, by Joe (volunteer). Joe was polite and courteous, however the person would have none of that. At this point Joe, walked away, came to our site to discuss the situation.
We all agreed to contact our supervisor, and informed him of the situation. I am not going into a great explanation as to what happen. No one was fired, nor hurt in anyway. Just to say, the Law Enforcement Agent new the person, stated he was a good man.
Our area manager will be meeting with the agent on Thursday, to discuss the situation. Needless to say, the Agent, who is in charge of enforcing the rules, refused to, and stated, in his 15 years he has gone thru many volunteers. Needless to say, that did not sit will with us nor our supervisor or his supervisor. His comment indicated that the person/his friend was more important then some volunteers.
Life is to short, to let someone dictate to you. Dan has been a great supervisor during our time here. You could not ask for a friendlier person.
Be that as it may, Joe, Susan and I, handle it very well. We walked away, stayed away from his site, informed our supervisor, and waited for an outcome.
So, this was an isolated case, this is the first bully we had at this campground in the 2 seasons we were here.
So, the take-away is a Camp Host is not law enforcement, we inform the campers of the rules. Most of them will make a few changes, and life goes on, and we all have fun. A Camp host always has to make command decision, just be aware of the perception, to the other campers. Do not be afraid of being a camp host. Just remember, read the application and job description. Remember everyone in the campground want's to have a good time. It is their forest to enjoy.
Remember if the employer goes beyond the description, then hey, you are retired, you can leave at anytime and you can be fired anytime.
Would Susan and I do it again? No, and not for the issue above, but if we need to work, we have Show Low. Otherwise we will continue to travel and enjoy life and this wonderful country.
Our reason, for leaving is not due to the incident. We knew that the possibility of 1 person, would be a bully. It just came about at the wrong time.
Ok, now onto some good things:
First, we were able to say our goodbyes to RC & Dan. This will have to do for Dave, Zac, John, Charles, and some of the other workers. We will miss saying goodbye to Pat, Tawana, Dan, Karen, Linda, Kathy and many other campers that we have come to know. Including our fur friends Oz, LoLo, Kirby, Miles, just to name just a few.
There are only 2 reason, 1 is the power issue and the other is our purchasing the cabin in Show Low. We decided we can work at the cabin, just the same as working here.
Susan and I have many fond memories of being here and we will cherish them immensely.
Safe Travels and Journeys
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.
DaGirls Rv
