CAMPGROUND HOSTS NEEDED FOR NEW CAMPING SEASON

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is looking for individuals and couples who enjoy the outdoors to serve as campground hosts during the upcoming camping season.

"Those folks interested in spending the summer outdoors, be they retirees, grad students or anyone who would like to camp out at a state park, are encouraged to volunteer as a state campground host," said IDNR Director Joel Brunsvold. "Campground hosts serve a number of important functions and are allowed to use a campsite at no charge throughout the season."

Campground hosts assist campers, answer questions, collect camping fees and encourage compliance with park regulations. They may also greet visitors, distribute park literature, report emergencies to the site staff and perform minor maintenance tasks such as picking up litter. A campground host is not required to enforce park rules or perform major repairs.

Applicants for campground host positions must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver's license and agree to work 35 hours per week, usually during a five-day period, for a minimum of four weeks. Weekend and holiday duty is mandatory. Compensation is $1 per day for the days they work. In addition to the small monetary payment, volunteers will receive on-site training, limited medical and personal insurance coverage, and free camping privileges at their campground during their period of service. Campground hosts need to provide their own camping equipment.

More than 50 IDNR sites offer the campground host program statewide, with applications accepted year-round and positions filled as they open. Most placements are made by June.

Northern Illinois
Anderson Lake Conservation Area, Astoria; Argyle Lake State Park, Colchester; Big River State Forest, Keithsburg; Delabar State Park, Oquawka; Henderson County Conservation Area, Keithsburg; Illini State Park, Marseilles; Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, Kewanee; Jubilee College State Park, Brimfield; Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park, Lena; Lowden State Park, Oregon; Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, Lacon; Mississippi Palisades State Park, Savanna; Prophetstown State Park, Prophetstown; Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Canton; Rock Cut State Park, Loves Park; Shabbona Lake State Park, Shabbona; Starved Rock State Park, Utica; White Pines Forest State Park, Mt. Morris; Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area, Lowpoint.

Northeast Illinois
Chain O’Lakes State Park, Spring Grove; Illinois Beach State Park, Zion; Kankakee River State Park, Bourbonnais.

West-Central Illinois
Beaver Dam State Park, Plainview; Eldon Hazlet State Park, Carlyle; Horseshoe Lake State Park, Granite City; Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Chandlerville; Nauvoo State Park, Nauvoo; Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton; Sand Ridge State Forest, Forest City; Sangchris Lake State Park, Rochester; Siloam Springs State Park, Clayton; Washington County Conservation Area, Nashville.

East-Central Illinois
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, DeWitt; Eagle Creek State Park, Findlay; Hidden Springs State Forest, Strasburg; Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood; Lincoln Trail State Park, Marshall; Moraine View State Park, LeRoy; Walnut Point State Park, Oakland; Weldon Springs State Recreation Area, Clinton; Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor.

Southern Illinois
Cave in Rock State Park, Cave in Rock; Dixon Springs State Park, Golconda; Ferne Clyffe State Park, Goreville; Fort Massac State Park, Metropolis; Giant City State Park, Makanda; Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area, McLeansboro; Horseshoe Lake Conservation Area, Miller City; Lake Murphysboro State Park, Murphysboro; Ramsey Lake State Park, Ramsey; Red Hills State Park, Sumner; Stephen A. Forbes State Park, Kinmundy; Saline County Fish and Wildlife Area, Equality; Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area, Johnsonville; Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park, Whittington.

Applications for campground hosts are available by contacting the site directly or by contacting the Campground Host Program, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/785-8129. Those interested in applying for the campground host program can also download an application on the IDNR web site by clicking on the “Campground Host Program” link at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/programs/camping/index.htm

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