The National Park System welcomes seniors as campground hosts. At Zion National Park in Utah seniors live at the park free of charge for the length of their two to three month assignment in their own RVs. At Zion, seniors assist campground personnel with operations, patrol the campground to provide helpful information and assistance to visitors, and watch for infractions of park regulations. Volunteers are issued uniforms and two-way radios for emergency communication. Each week volunteers have days off for personal business and recreation. The park reimburses volunteers for propane consumption and provides full hook-ups for RVs.
Zion National Park
State Route 9
Springdale, UT 84767
435-772-0177
nps.gov
Seniors are welcome volunteers at camps or conference centers. Begin your search in the winter months for a camp or conference center that uses senior volunteers. Winter is the time of year camp management hires staff and plans for the coming season. Camps have websites where you can view the sites to learn their philosophy, programming and other pertinent information. Start your online research at either Christian Camp and Conference Association or American Camp Association, both trade organizations. Typical volunteer opportunities include: kitchen helper, office worker, maintenance, and teaching crafts, skills or sports. Analyze your skills and decide whether you want to work with children or adults or both.
Christian Camp and Conference Association
P.O. Box 62189
Colorado Springs, CO 80962-2189
719-260-9400
ccca.org
American Camp Association
5000 State Road 67
North
Martinsville, IN 46151-7902
765-342-8456
acacamps.org
Seniors looking for a vacation that includes only a small amount of volunteer work, can identify worthy organizations at a favorite destination and contact them. Many non-profits welcome volunteers who have only a day or a few hours to offer. For example, in Maryland, Greenbelt Park hosts an invasive plant removal day every first Saturday of the month. Leaders instruct volunteers to identify and remove objectionable plants before they choke out the native plants. Greenbelt is part of the National Park Service.
Greenbelt Park
6565 Greenbelt Road
Greenbelt, MD 20770
301-344-3948
nps.gov
For seniors who prefer fully planned tours, there are a number of tour companies eager to help---for a fee. Again, research is important. A good place to start is the Travel With a Challenge website, an Internet clearinghouse for organizations seeking senior volunteers. Scrutinize the costs and services and read the mission statements before making a final choice.
