What is a campground host?

It's a job that's near perfect for many full-time RVers. A campground host is a volunteer who works at a campground or at a state or national park, forest or beach in exchange for a free campsite.

Hosts usually work about four hours each day doing anything from general maintenance and cleaning of the grounds and facilities to selling firewood, manning the information booth and giving tours.

John and Sheryl Cain, retirees from Oregon, have been hosting at Fort Stevens State Park for four seasons. They say it's a great way to meet people and have a lot of fun. "Everybody has a story - if you just listen, they're great," John told Oregon newspaper The Daily Astorian.

Finding a campground host position is something that people should think about before peak camping season begins. National and state park websites and campgrounds post the jobs on their websites along with applications and a description of the work requirements. Camphost.org is the website of Recreation Resource Management, a company that specializes in matching host candidates up with campgrounds.