Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 12, 1994 TAG: 9403140225
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-9 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
Camping begins in the state parks Friday March 18. People in the hosts program will be allowed to camp, swim and get free boat rentals in return for such duties as light maintenance and greeting and helping other campers.
Hosts are expected to be model campers and set good examples for others.
``The campground program is for folks who like people and love camping,'' said Dennis Baker, state parks director for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
``With this program, we hope to offer better service to our camping guests while holding down operating costs. We feel it will be rewarding for our hosts as well,'' he said.
Hosts should be experienced campers willing to live and work in a park for 30 to 90 days. Positions will be filled on a first-come first-served basis.
The volunteer hosts are not considered employees, and get no salaries or benefits other than the camping, swimming and boating perks. They can also get additional free camping and cabin usage based on length of volunteer service.
Couples or individuals interested in being campground hosts must submit applications, which are available by calling Paige Tucker, volunteer program manager, at (804) 965-9712 or writing to Campground Host Program, 2425 Boissevain Road, Richmond, Va. 23229.
Other campgrounds participating in the hosts program are Fairy Stone, near Martinsville; Bear Creek Lake, near Farmville; Kiptopeke on the Eastern Shore; Natural Tunnel in Scott County; Occoneechee on Buggs Island Lake; and Westmoreland at Montross.
by CNB