Camp Host

Spend your summer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley!

USACE-Willamette Valley Project is recruiting 4-5 volunteer campground hosts to join our Recreational Operations team for Summer 2024. Our hosts work and live at their designated campgrounds while serving the visiting public, encouraging regulation compliance, and performing other various duties (no toilet cleaning!).

We are searching for highly motivated, energetic couples or 2-person teams to serve as a host at Schwarz Campground located below Dorena Dam. The volunteer host will be provided a campsite at Schwarz Campground with full hookups in exchange for 30 hours of work per week. Free laundry facility is available on site as well. Position runs mid-April through mid-September.

Campground hosts will work the entrance booth and monitor the campground. Booth operations include providing outstanding customer service to campers, explaining rules and regulations, selling federal Interagency passes, checking campers in and out on Recreation 1 Stop database, and answering the phone. Schwarz is a cashless campground. Monitoring campgrounds includes ensuring campers are adhering to rules, everyone is in the proper site, everyone has paid for their site, and answering questions from the campers. It will not be your responsibility to enforce the rules, however you will need to be comfortable speaking with campers about the rules and regulations.

Other host duties may include light maintenance, operating small engine equipment (leaf blower, weed whacker, etc.), assisting in education and outreach programs, and light paperwork.

Dorena Reservoir and Schwarz Campground is set in the gentle rolling hills of the Calapooya Mountains, less than 10 miles from the quaint town of Cottage Grove, also known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the West”. Dorena Reservoir is a great location for boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming. Nearby Baker Bay County Park offers a boat ramp and marina.

The Row River Trail stretches 14 miles from downtown Cottage Grove, past the Dorena Dam and along the entire north side of the lake. This popular path is open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Other volunteer positions may also be available at Pine Meadows Campground located along the shores of Cottage Grove Reservoir.

Alcohol is prohibited at all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dorena Reservoir lands and areas, including Schwarz Campground and lease areas.