Are Military Campground Hosts Homesteaders?

When I saw someone had posted after my post, I thought, "Do I really want to read this?" I expected to be flamed for my rather candid comments about pot shots at camp hosts.

I truly enjoy my job because it allows me to give back to those that I serve. It was that way when I was a soldier, when I was a college instructor and when I was a high school teacher. So I get a little sensitive when I think people believe that I hide out and do not do my job.

The comment that has gone through me repeatedly is that "they have two hosts but I did not see one of them at all."

It was because the other host and I work two weeks on and two weeks off. Or the comment that both of the camp hosts had their off duty sign up at the same time. That happens on every other Monday between 0800 and 1800 when the old host goes off duty and the other hosts comes on duty at 1800. There is never a short fall of service at that time because we have over 30 people on duty that work reservations, maintenance, housekeeping, grounds and supervisors of lifeguards in the high season. At 1800 all of those folks are gone and the camp host has the entire operation to himself.

So rvgranny, thank you for your kind words and affirmations for the camp hosts who are not getting over on the system.

Curt

Your welcome, Curt....we love our camp hosting job, too...and just had to chime in with ya'....

I feel that a camp host can help alot of campers but in some mcg's there is a large number of hosts , like at Key West NAS.there has too be at least 10 to 15 hosts (volenteers)as they call themselves that recieve free rent . If mwr feels that these people perform a neccesary funtion then they should pay them .If they pay them by what they do some wouldn't recieve a penny. NAS KW is losing alot of money from these people who don't pay their way.Also not only do they get free sites and don't rotate in the winter but they get free rent when the winter season is over. Presently it costs $21 a day,$7,500 a year just for one volenteer. I feel that if want to keep busy and and volenteer go ahead but don't expect nothing in return.Any opinions on this?

I assume you addressed your thoughts to the Cmdr of the NAS.
And what was his reply/response:
and if you didn't submit a complaint, why ??? :S

It is a pretty tight crew around this campground and I don't think that would be my best route at this point ,but I 'am going to address it further up the food chain where there might be less of a hassle and less chance of any problems during my stay.

Merry Christmas from Pelican Roost, Naval Station Mayport. I'm sure I've read this thread before but I just reread it. The weathers not great this morning, so I've got plenty of time. I for one, am thankful for the hosts at military campgrounds. I've never had a bad experience with one and have had many instances where I feel the host went above and beyond the call of duty to help me. Some of those that come to mind are at Keesler, Gulfport, Kingsbay and here at the Roost. We travel with an older pet and she needs a lot of attention but we've never had an issue. When I arrive at a MG that has a host, it gives me a feeling that I'm part of an exclusive group that looks out for their own. Civilian MWR employees do a great job too but the old salt host (no matter what the service) makes us feel like we're coming home. We like the Roost so much, we've spent the last two Christmas' here. As far as the number of hosts. The proof is in the pudding. Look at how well the Roost is maintained. And last week I saw a half dozen guys on the ends of shovels doing something that I vaguely recall as hard work. We're fortunate to have volunteers. Safe travels to all.