Are Military Campground Hosts Homesteaders?

The host at Patrick AFB, are a large part of how and why the campground operates as well as it does.
They have organized activities, give local information. Have run around in storms putting awnings up when people left them out. Done a majority of the new landscaping, help direct rigs into spaces, and more things than I can remember or know.
These are people that I look forward to seeing when I pull into Patrick.
I have not seen any other base with the same level of host. Thank you Jimmy and Scott,and Lorie.
At Charleston AFB, we arrived after hours, found an empty sight on our oun. We did not have the code for the bath house, so we could not use it our first night. The next morning while checking in an other camper said we took their reserved spot. He was upset, and let it be known. Had there been a host this would not have occurred.
I vote host, but helping,involved host such as those at Patrick.

A good host adds a GREAT value to a RV Park. If they are doing their job, NO - they ARE NOT homesteaders. However, if they just occupy space and don't do anything, other than having the title "host", then they need to be replaced with someone of value.

While many parks don't NEED a host, having a good host raises the quality of service provided.

badge2283 wrote:

At Charleston AFB, we arrived after hours, found an empty sight on our own. ...The next morning while checking in an other camper said we took their reserved spot. He was upset, and let it be known.

Hmmm. According to this site, Charleston doesn't take reservations so something fishy.

Sounds like MCG member "68bossshields" has given us an excellent start to a suggested "JOB DESCRIPTION" for MCG Host.

This web site has matured enough and has representation wide enough to have value as an unofficial advisory body on most things campground related.

Although we may never see a "standard" for military campgrounds applied throughout the DoD, certain tried and true advisory guidelines posted in the "Files" section of militarycampgrouds.us, could serve base commanders and MWR directors in establishing baseline activities for camp hosts and campground employee's.

CAMPGROUND HOST ADVISORY GUIDE

1. Check the park prior to 0700 for late night arrivals.
2. Register late arrivals and weekend/holiday arrivals.
3. Record and update posting of sites by vehicle type.
4. Record and report issues brought to Host's attention to management.
5. Sign off on cleanliness/sanitation status of showers/restrooms
6. Stock towels/soap in common areas.
7. Monitor park appearance/cleanliness.
8. Perform minor maintenance/repair as directed.
9. Stock local attraction and restaurant guides for guests.


10 Provide the host with an after hours cell phone capable of receiving voice and text messages and require the on-duty after hours host to return unanswered travelers calls and text inquiries.

As a camp host, I think that a standard camp host job description is not possible. Each military campground is a different operation with different requirements. Some are just a small self contained campground. Other campgrounds are relatively large and a part of an entire recreation center. Some camp grounds offer camp host positions for people who work reservations or perform maintenance for their spot. Other camp hosts have security responsibilities which are not readily apparent to the guests.

One thing I have noticed on this site is that sometimes campground guests give a bad rating to a campground based upon their impressions on what the camp host does or does not do based upon the guests opinion of what the host should be doing without having a clue as to what the camp hosts' duties, responsibilities, hours of employment or other requirements actually are.

My guidance is that people who are writing negative comments about campground hosts should inquire of the host or the reservations office about what the duties are while they are actually as the campground. I personally have never not helped a camper that asked for assistance with anything at anytime. But I cannot help anyone who decides to complain online days or months after the fact for something that was not done that may or may not have been the host's responsibility. We are not mind readers but we can provide service when service is requested.

Unless you keep track of the camp host 24/7, you do not know what his/her duties are. Keeping score of everything going on in a campground takes away from what should be an enjoyable experience for the camper.

I am off my soapbox.

Curt

You go Curt We couldn't agree with you more.....You stated the camp host position so well....No 2 hosting jobs are the same....oh, there's a basic duty list, i.e. cleaning bathouses, laundry rooms, etc.....but after that anything under the sun happens....lol...Camp Hosts work very, very hard to help their customers, answering questions, giving info, directions, plan socials activities, etc....but when folks don't ask or ignore the camp host completely....well, it is disappointing when they come on here and complain instead....

Another thing about camp hosting....They are not on duty 24/7 as many folks assume they are and are allowed to have "time off" from the campground to do things, like, buy groceries, get the vehicle gassed up, buy propane.. even to sleep....but rest assured, when that office is closed, they are there, for you, the campground customer...

We agree that there are camp hosts out there who are just there for the site, but not all...

And by the way, we DO greet everyone of our guests, even when they drive right by us standing by the camp host sign, when it is raining, and if we are gone on our "off time", the minute we're back, we're there to say Hi,and to help in anyway....

Okay, we're off our soap box, too...

Lori and Dock