Get Involved: Volunteer Services - Pair and Share Volunteer Hosts

Pair and Share Volunteer Hosts

Description:

Would you like to be a part of a new and exciting hosting opportunity with Colorado Parks & Wildlife? This year CPW is piloting a new camp host role that allows you the benefits of volunteering at two state parks in our beautiful state! This concept allows you to see more of the state in two different landscapes - the mountains and the plains (yes, we have both!).

Overview and Impact:

We are looking for 4 volunteer host couples to keep our state parks beautiful and provide excellent customer service to visitors - thus supporting hard-working staff and enjoying Colorado's beautiful outdoors. This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for someone who is eager to explore Colorado while giving back in a meaningful way.

What is "Pair and Share?"

This idea stems from providing hosts an opportunity to travel within Colorado during their host experience with CPW. We have paired two amazing state parks that have similar amenities, roles & responsibilities, and time commitments so that you have a mid-summer transition to a new site halfway through your host season. Although the sites are different in location, there will be similar expectations of the host roles at each site.

In summer 2024, we are piloting this idea with 4 sites that would like to “share a pair” of hosts for the summer. One site will have a set of hosts for the first 8 weeks of the season, and the partner site will have that set of hosts for the second half, and vice versa (you will switch sites halfway through the season). 

Please keep in mind that it is required for you to transition to the new site, no matter how amazing the first site is! Since this is a pilot program, there may be potential to expand in the future.

Paired Host Sites: (choose 1)

• Pairing #1 Ridgway State Park and Lathrop State Park
• Pairing #2 State Forest State Park and Jackson Lake State Park

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Greet campers and offer information about the park
• Clean campsites and firepits
• Light maintenance, such as restroom cleaning and stocking, and collecting trash
• Other opportunities as applicable to the site, such as promoting interpretive programs or light landscaping.

Time Commitment:

• 20-24 hours per person per week

Start, End, and Transition Dates

• Start by May 19, 2024 at the latest
• End on September 3, 2024 at the earliest
• Transition and travel from your first to second location on July 8-9, 2024
• You can work with your paired locations to discuss an earlier start date or later end date, if desired.

Volunteer Benefits:

• Count volunteer hours toward exciting recognition milestones (including a free, one-year state park pass after 48 hours of service)!
• Enjoy being part of our State Park teams. We are enthusiastic, fun, and passionate about our work!
• Explore Colorado's mountains and plains and everything in between!
• Enhance your skills, resume, and network!

Amenities

• Full hookups (30 or 50amp, depending on the site). 
• Cell service available at Lathrop; carrier or site dependent at State Forest, Jackson, and Ridgway.
• WiFi available at the visitor centers, if not at the campsite
• Laundry available at all locations.

Training and Preparation:

• Staff will orient and train you upon arrival. Materials and resources such as a golf cart/mule, cleaning supplies, and more will be provided.

Additional information:

• All hosts must pass a background check for criminal and driving history prior to being offered a position.

Interests:

Volunteer Hosts - Campground Host, Maintenance and Construction - Maintenance and Construction, Maintenance and Construction - Grounds/Facility Maintenance, General - Ongoing Volunteering, Customer Service - Customer Service/Visitor Information, Customer Service - Greet and Orient Visitors

Skills:

Camping, Customer Service or Visitor Information

Places:

Lathrop State Park, State Forest State Park, Ridgway State Park, Jackson Lake State Park