Category: Campground Host Experiences

Letter From Wekiva River Basin State Parks

May 13, 2014 Jolene MacFadden

We really enjoyed our short stay at Wekiwa Springs State Park over the Easter weekend. However, we just didn’t have time to check out the Lower Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run State Parks while we were there. We spent some time at Rock Springs when I was in high school but it has changed quite a lot since we lived in the central Florida area. We took lots of pictures of Wekiwa Springs, have written a quick review but thought it would be nice to share this email we received from the Volunteer Coordinator. They really could use some help this summer and who wouldn’t want to spend a couple of months in one of the three loveliest parks right around Orlando. It is a great place to start as live on-site volunteers and when it gets too hot you can always jump into the springs to cool off!

Hello Jolene,

Thank you for inquiring about volunteering here at Wekiwa River Basin State Parks. We are always on the lookout for great people with the desire to help others!

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Campground Host Experiences, Park Info, RV and Campers, Volunteer At A Florida State Park, Workamping

Spend the Summer at Savannas Preserve State Park

May 12, 2014 Jolene MacFadden

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Savannas

http://www.friendsofsavannas.org/

Hello,

Savannas preserve is a 7,000 acre preserve with fire dependent habitat in the heart of Port St. Lucie; we manage several day use areas and an amazing education center which houses over 195 different programs a year to all age brackets. We have a lot going on all the time, the need for volunteers is huge, and as you mentioned summer time is hard. We DO have 4 volunteer spots for 2-4 month stays and are working on the potential of a couple more short term spots.

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Campground Host Experiences, Park Info, Volunteer At A Florida State Park, Workamping

Horse Lovers and Handipeople Needed

May 11, 2014 Jolene MacFadden

In response to some emails we sent out to all of the Florida State Parks about Campground Hosts and Park/Residential Hosts positions that get a campsite with amenities in exchange for working; most were what you would expect but this one struck me as different. I mean, how many parks have horses living and being take care by the park rangers and volunteers? That is just too cool.

The initial response to our email:

Hi Jolene. Listed below are the volunteer host opportunities I have available. Firewood is available as we remove trees that are blocking trails and roads. Unfortunately, the summer months are very difficult to encourage volunteers to camp with us. I have sent out probably 50 or 60 announcements like the one below with very little response. Currently my three sites are vacant. Fall, Winter and Spring are no problem.

Randy

Campground Host Experiences, Park Info, RV and Campers, Volunteer At A Florida State Park, Workamping

Cedar Key Museum State Park Volunteers Needed

May 10, 2014 Jolene MacFadden

Spend 16 weeks in OLD FLORIDA!

Cedar Key and the surrounding area has remained unchanged for decades. Rural Levy County is still one of the most remote areas in Florida- no fast food restaurants and no chain grocery stores, just untamed wilderness and old town charm. Cedar Key Museum State Park is located in Cedar Key and it’s exhibits tell the history of the island and inhabitants. Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve is located just inland from Cedar Key and has over 13 miles of multi-use trails. Waccasassa Bay Pre- serve is accessible by boat only and protects over 34000 acres of shoreline from Cedar Key to Yankeetown.

Campground Host Experiences, Park Info, Volunteer At A Florida State Park, Workamping

Paynes Creek in Bowling Green Florida

May 9, 2014 Jolene MacFadden

Paynes Creek Historic State Park is located outside the small town of Bowling Green, Florida. It borders on one side by the Peace River and the Paynes Creek runs through the middle. You can hike, fish, bike, picnic and visit the visitors center during the day time. At night small groups can primitive camp within the park while the Residential Hosts Volunteers will get the run of the park after everyone leaves. They are in need of summer time volunteers as are most of our Florida State Parks. We chose them to do an article because the volunteer coordinator is good about getting back to us and it sounds like a great place for us to volunteer in the future. If you are a history teacher with no plans for the summer and have a travel trailer or RV we hope you will fill out an application and get in touch with the volunteer coordinator at this park.

Hello Jolene,

Yes Ma’am, Paynes Creek Historic State Park does indeed have volunteer camp sites.

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Campground Host Experiences, Park Info, Volunteer At A Florida State Park, Workamping

Troy Springs State Park Branford Florida

May 8, 2014 Jolene MacFadden

Troy Springs State Park in Branford, Florida is a small little park with a lovely spring right next to the Suwannee River. You can picnic, swim (when the water in the Suwannee River is down), scuba dive in the spring and canoe and kayak up and down the river as well as get in a spot of fishing. The park has no camping amenities not even primitive. But they do have RV Sites set up for volunteers in exchange for working with the park ranger and manager in the park. We visited this park last year and were going to volunteer there but we couldn’t get our timing worked out. It seems we may be going there next year though and we look forward to it. However, they still need help this summer. If you, a family member or a friend would like to stay in a lovely, shady state park in exchange for a little cleaning, lawn care and maintenance work we hope you will fill out the application and get in touch with the Volunteer Coordinator. Her information is listed at the bottom of this article. Below are her answers to some of the questions we would ask of any of the state parks we were considering volunteering for:

Campground Host Experiences, Park Info, RV and Campers, Volunteer At A Florida State Park, Workamping