Are You a V.I.P. Yet?

Entire books have been written on the virtue, value and valor of the millions of Americans that step forward to volunteer their time to make their communities better. Right in our own communities we find a rich and rewarding heritage of volunteering that produces many benefits to the community, produces heroes and gives purpose to those who serve.  Volunteer fire departments, police reserve units and our civil defense teams are only some of the more obvious in that regard. Just as much appreciated are the people who share their time abilities and love of life to such efforts as Habitat for Humanity, local food banks, library and literacy programs and church activities to help the poor, sick and housebound. There are volunteering opportunities in historic preservation, animal shelters and hospitals. The list can go on, and all of the people in all of these activities are the fiber that makes the fabric that shapes our communities. They are all VIP's in the normal use of that term and I do not wish to take anything away from any of them here when we introduce you to our project called Volunteers In Parks, or V.I.P.

The Daviess-Martin Joint County Parks & Recreation Department is launching a volunteering program at that should include something for every interest. Like other programs, ours will focus on giving people an opportunity to give their time to put something back in to their community. But out VIP program is also intended to be a community in itself, in that it will offer a place for the VIP's to come not only to do the work they set out to do, but also to spend some quality leisure time in their own organization within our organization. The volunteer work can include such a wide variety of activities such as mowing, trimming, gardening and landscaping, building maintenance and repair, construction and maintenance of trails, customer service, visitor surveys, housekeeping, natural resource management projects, office staff support, or even coordination of the VIP program itself.  

Almost all park related activities can be supported by VIP's, offering a wide range of opportunity to find your niche. For example, if you have a love of science and the outdoors, you might want to participate in a cataloging of the flora and fauna in the park. Like working in the woods? Perhaps your work in timber stand improvement could help stave off some invasive species problems. Or maybe you more enjoy working with children. In that case you could be just what we need to facilitate our large and growing programming activity at the park. Are you a story teller, like campfire cooking, know a lot about RV's? Someone needs to learn what you know. As a VIP you can find your way to the people and places that make your work bring you the reward you want it to bring.

Right now, a specific search is on for VIP's to serve in the role of Camp Host. This volunteering opportunity is for those who love the outdoor lifestyle, enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. As a camp host you will:

• Reside in one of our campgrounds for 30, 60 or 90 days.
• Be furnished a campsite for that time free of charge.
• Be issued the uniform of our VIP Camp Host to identify you to visitors.
• Be available to visitors to answer questions and monitor fee payments.
• Perform light maintenance duty for a few hours per day.
• Have free access to all park facilities during off duty periods.
• Hate going home when that time finally arrives.

Becoming a camp host is a challenge and requires a commitment that only serious individuals are likely to be able to make and keep. But if you are retired, or otherwise have the free time; like the idea of waking up every day in the midst of nature, having coffee complimented by the smell of wood smoke and living where others go to get away from it all, it might just be the opportunity you are looking for.

If this sounds like the solution to your volunteering ambitions, give us a call and set up an interview. Camp Host positions for the 2012 season are being filled now and will be on a first-come-first-served basis among qualified applicants. Background checks and criminal histories are necessary for Camp Hosts in order to protect our visitors. Must be in reasonably good health and able to perform light maintenance tasks such as cleaning buildings, emptying trash containers, mowing, painting, etc.