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NSW National Parks Campground Host Program

The Campground Host program is a perfect opportunity to experience camping in our national parks while providing a valuable service to the public. If you have a passion for the outdoors and volunteering, then becoming a Campground Host might be for you.

The following parks participated in the 2012-13 NSW Campground Host program:

National park	Specific campgrounds
Ben Boyd National Park	Saltwater and Bittangabee
Bents Basin State Conservation Area	Bents Basin
Border Ranges National Park	Sheep Station Creek
Bournda National Park	Hobart Beach
Bundjalung National Park	Black Rocks
Bungonia National Park	Bungonia
Hill End Historic Site	Glendora and The Village
Kosciuszko National Park	Blue Waterholes (4WD in wet weather) Currango Homestead
Meroo National Park	Meroo Head (walk-in tent camping only) Termeil
Munmorah State Conservation Area	Freemans
Myall Lakes National Park	Broughton Island (Little Poverty Beach, own boat required) Mungo Brush

Is Campground Hosts for you?

Applications for Campground Hosts open in September and January each year, in September for the summer holiday program and in January for the Easter holiday program. To become a Campground Host, you will need to:

• be over 18
• apply online (application form will be available in September for the summer holiday program)
• attach a copy of your resume or one-page document detailing the skills you’ll bring to the program
• sign a Volunteer Prohibited Employment Declaration form and submit a National Police Record Check to the NSW Volunteer Coordinator before applications close.

You will be contacted by the NSW Volunteer Coordinator for a short interview after the application period.

If you belong to a special interest group, such as a 4WD or bushwalking club, and may be interested in sponsoring a campground over the holiday period with your group, please contact the NSW Volunteer Coordinator, for more information.

What benefits does being a Campground Host provide?

• You’ll be provided with training and a free campsite at a participating national park when you volunteer. 
• A mandatory training workshop will be held three weeks in advance of each placement period at Bents Basin State Conservation Area and Bundjalung National Park, where you’ll meet other Campground Hosts.
• Camping facilities and meals during the training will be provided to you at no cost.
• You can volunteer for the summer or Easter holidays or both.

What do Campground Hosts do?

Campground Hosts are often the first point of contact for visitors to a campground and park over the summer and Easter school holidays. Hosts assist NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) rangers by meeting and greeting campers, helping them to settle in and enjoy their park experience.

The Campground Host statement of duties lists responsibilities and expectations. Hosts generally assist the public in the mornings and evenings at meal times, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the park.

The program requires hosts to stay a minimum of one week (7 days) to two weeks (14 days) during the Easter and summer holidays. You can nominate the dates of your stay during each period. Hosts are allocated to campgrounds depending on availability. Travel vouchers will be available to cover the cost of travel to and from your assigned campground.

Applicants must be self-motivated, enjoy working with people, and have excellent communication skills. Campground hosts should have a reasonable level of fitness and health, as some campsites are in remote settings.

Familiarity with nominated campgrounds and parks is not required; however, regional experience may be desirable.

Statement of duties

As a ‘meet and greet’ volunteer role, campground hosts are expected to provide a friendly welcome to visitors and campers.  Duties include:

• assisting with site bookings, check in and check out
• directing campers to fee payment area and campsites
• promoting walks and activities
• providing information on other local attractions
• providing information on campfire safety and Total Fire Ban Day regulations
• notifying rangers of an offence or issue.

Mandatory training sessions

Successful applicants must attend one of the following training dates to participate in the program. The full-day training is held on the Saturday from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm.

• Friday 22 November–Sunday 24 November at Woody Head, Bundjalung National Park
• Frday 29 November–Sunday 1 December at Bents Basin State Conservation Area, Sydney.

The Office of Environment and Heritage covers the cost of the training, accommodation fees (camping), meals, and training materials. You’ll need to bring your own camping gear and enthusiasm.

What other volunteers have said

• 'Meeting people from different places around Australia - to be able to share my camping experiences about different national parks campgrounds.'  Hill End campground host.
• 'Having the opportunity to meet a wide range of good people, children included, to exchange ideas and impart knowledge. Having the wonderful opportunity to live in the park for 2 weeks and observe the flora and fauna on a daily basis.' Blue Mountains campground host.
• 'We found the experience very rewarding and enlightening, and would gladly recommend the program to others. Staff at all the grounds very helpful and friendly. Looking forward to doing it all again.'  Freemans campground host.

More information

For all enquiries regarding the Campground Host Program please contact:

NSW Volunteer Coordinator
Ph: 02 9585 6807

For details and information about the ACT Parks Campground Host program at the Cotter campground, please email the Namadgi Visitor Centre, namadginationalpark@act.gov.au.