The Department of Natural Resources today announced it wants to hear from residents interested in spending their summer enjoying Michigan’s great outdoors while providing a valuable service, serving as hosts at Michigan state parks and state forest campgrounds for the 2013 camping season.
Hosts direct visitors to their campsites, answer questions about the park or state forest, arrange campground activities and perform light maintenance and other services, depending on their talents and interests. In return for their volunteer service, hosts are allowed to camp in the state park or state forest campground at no charge.
Hosts can be individuals or teams. They must be at least 18 years old, provide 30 hours of service per week (including weekends and holidays), serve a minimum of four consecutive weeks and furnish their own camping unit, equipment and personal items. Some host assignments will begin as early as April, with some assignments lasting through October.
Successful applicants are chosen by park and forest managers, who may require an interview or request additional information. Selection is based on the individual’s familiarity with the state park or state forest system, his or her camping experience, special skills, availability, knowledge of the area, and the needs of the specific park or forest campground.
Host training for the 2013 camping season will be held sometime in middle to late April 2013 at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon. Special arrangements can be made for those who cannot make the training dates.
Applications and information about the host program are available on the DNR website, www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers. Those interested in serving as campground hosts at a state park should apply directly to the park of their choice.
For more information on the DNR’s campground host program in state parks or state forest campgrounds, contact Miguel Rodriguez at 517-241-4129.
The Recreation Passport is an easy, affordable way for residents to enjoy and support outdoor recreation opportunities in Michigan. By checking “YES” for the $10* Recreation Passport ($5 for motorcycles) when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State (by mail, kiosk, online at www.expresssos.com or at branch offices), Michigan motorists get access to state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, non-motorized state trailhead parking and state boat launches. In addition, Recreation Passport holders can experience real savings at businesses and retailers that participate in the Passport Perks discount program. The Recreation Passport is valid until the next license plate renewal date. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) at any state park or recreation area or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. *Starting Jan. 2, 2013, the purchase price of the Recreation Passport is $11 for Michigan residents.
Learn more about this creative way of sustaining Michigan’s outdoor recreation and natural resources at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport. For information on Passport Perks shopping discounts or how businesses and retailers can enroll in the program, visit www.michigan.gov/passportperks.
Source: Press Release
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