Are Military Campground Hosts Homesteaders?

I think that if the host is really working the CG and out and about then how long they stay should not matter. But, if a host is not seen, not out checking out the entire CG and is always sitting in their unit then that host is a homesteader and needs to be booted.

I haven't even got to Mayport for my Nov reservation but I'm already dreading it after 2 conversations w/ the CG host. Thankfully most I've met have been GREAT & do a well needed job of welcome & information. But why you need more than 1 (on duty at a time) is beyond me.

I guess that I qualify as a campground host "homesteader" because I was at Shields RV in Corpus Christi, Texas for the better part of two years. Some of the articles that I have read seem to me more like sour grapes - in other words you wanted to stay at a particular military campground and when you arrived (no prior reservations made) it was full, near full, or you got a poor site. Remember this - proper planning prevents P*** poor performance. What did I do to earn my site for those nearly two years (1) checked the park prior to 0700 to see if anyone arrived during the night who did not check in with me (2) register any who fit in number one (3) made a record of sites occupied by type and turned this into the office when it opened. (4) made a record of any problems noted by me or brought to my attention by a guest and gave that report to the office (5) cleaned two bathrooms and showers and made certain that they were stocked with paper and hand soap (6) travelled around the park and picked up any trash that may have blown in during the night (7) also - and this I hated - picked up dog droppings that inconsiderate guests just left there as they walked their dog ( mowed and weed wacked as necessary [although this was not a job requirement; I just did it to help out and to keep myself occupied] (9) talked to guests and listened to what they had to say and suggested places to eat off base when asked (10) as check out time neared I kept a close look to see who might be running a little late and before saying anything to them checked with the office to see if they had extended their stay (11) after check out time I let the office know that everyone who was scheduled to leave had left or not (12) did a couple of afternoon runs around the park to make certain that it remained clean and during these runs around the park talked to and listened to the guests (13) near closing time I went and got a list of those guests who had not arrived so that I would know what sites to put them on (14) after the office closed for the day, I was the office and had to be in the park to assist arrivals and to deal with problems that might arise (15) at 2300 hours I went to bed whether or not all guests had arrived. There was a sign pointing to my site and telling late arrivals to check in with me, and a whole lot of people woke me up after I went to bed and I smiled and registered them and told them the basic park rules and what to do in the morning after the office opened. All of that was done with a smile and a pleasant voice and sometimes in my PJs. As I got up each morning at 0500, that's an 18 hour day, seven days a week. Often there was another host and we shared duties - two weeks on and two weeks off but in 2006 I was the only host from March to November. Now if someone wishes to call me a homesteader, go ahead but let me give you a little advice - no matter how small or large a campground may be the office needs an extension in the park and that extension is the host. Granted some hosts sit on their A** and do nothing but then there are many like those who serve at Shields and know that their attitude and presence helps make a great park. I am not there anymore but I still want to invite all of you out there to come by and check out Shields RV park in Corpus Christi. Oh, by the way. My wife and I are going up into the Utah and Colorado area soon but you know what - we made our reservations weeks ago and I just bet that the host at those places where we will be staying will be ready for us and we will appreciate their help.
Donald M. Fowler
USA Retired

We stayed at Shields RV in Corpus Christi and it was a well run, friendly, organized campground and we will be back, thanks Donald for making our stay so wonderful. A host no matter what they do or do not do is not a homesteader as this is a position authorized by someone so I would not call them a homesteader. Many private campgrounds do not have a host during the day or night and they run very smoothly. After hours when the office is closed we all know (if we have a reservation) we pick up our packet and park ourselves in the site assigned to us, so some smaller MCG's could use this procedure and free up a site. The comments about Pelican Roost are confusing as we stay there frequently and only one camp host is on duty at any time. They have a quite a few staff that do work at the campground and stay through the winter months but I have never been told we do not have a site for you. Once again someone authorized these positions so I do not call them homesteaders and you have to admit this campground is immaculate and if you follow the rules you will not have much to complain about.

Fowler: Sounds like you belong on the 'I earned it list' ... some do, some don't. MCG probably should give you two sites

And my personal definition of a 'homesteader' does not include 'camp hosts" that do the job properly. They are entitled to stay for the duration of the host position, and are welcome and appreciated any time I stay at an MCG.

I could see having a CG Host if the CG is located away from the Installation such as Langley AF Base in Va, but if you have a reservation and a site issued then I can't see a need for a host, also if there is a maint issue then all installations have a DPW rep that's on call. I have been to several Mil CGs and not yet has I seen te host come and greet you or make some form of contact to welcome you there, I have seen hosts who allow RVers let their pets run wild, junk all around their RVs and allow people go unchecked, so If the host is not doing what a host is suppose to do then Yes they are Homesteading.