LANSING – The Department of Natural Resources is offering free camping this summer for outdoor lovers who volunteer as campground hosts at Michigan state parks or state forest campgrounds.

The Campground Host Program, established by the Department of Natural Resources, allows individuals to camp in a state park or state forest campground at no charge, in return for providing visitor assistance in the campground.

Campground hosts direct visitors to their campsites, answer questions about the park or state forest, arrange campground activities and perform light maintenance and other services, depending on the host’s talents and interests.

Campground hosts can be individuals or teams. Retired couples, teachers and students, as well as families, are just a few who have enjoyed volunteering as campground hosts.
Interested parties must be at least 18 years old, provide services five days per week (including weekends and holidays), for a total of 30 hours, serve a minimum of four consecutive weeks and furnish their own camping unit, equipment and personal items.

Persons interested in becoming a volunteer can obtain more information and an application on the DNR’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers. Persons interested in being a campground host at a state park should apply directly to the park of their choice.

For more information on becoming a campground host, contact Pamela Ames at (517) 467-7401 for Michigan state parks, or Ada Takacs at (989) 275-5151, Ext. 2049.