Volunteer
Job Description
FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/
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ADDRESS: Catoctin Mountain Park; 14707 Park Central Road; Thurmont, Maryland 21788
DEPT: National Park Service
DATES: 4/30/2021 – 11/1/2021
DESCRIPTION:
An opportunity exists to assist park staff with the operations of Owens Creek Campground in 2021. Camp Host volunteers are supervised by the Campground Manager. We are dedicated to providing the best visitor experience possible.
Assist Park Rangers with operations and maintenance of Owens Creek Campground. Hosts must possess a valid state driver’s license and pass a background check.
Campground Hosts serve as volunteers in the National Park Service’s Volunteer-in-Parks (VIP) Program. Camp host will assist park staff with campground operations. They provide a variety of information to visitors ensuring a safe and positive visitor experience. We ask that camp host volunteers donate a minimum of 32 hours each week. Schedules and hours are somewhat flexible, however assistance on the weekend is required. Camp Operations/Camp Host Responsibilities/Training will be provided on arrival.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information on Catoctin Mountain Park: https://www.nps.gov/cato/index.htm
Park History: The following link contains a historic resource study on Catoctin Mountain Park written by Dr. Edmund Wehrle: https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/cato/hrs.htm
Owens Creek Campground: Campgrounds – Catoctin Mountain Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
- Perform routine custodial or minor maintenance
- Perform grounds maintenance
- Review camp rules and regulations
- Enforce quiet hours
- Respond to camper questions and concerns
- Report or address wildlife pest concerns
- Able to lift 10 pounds or more
- Able to operate gas-powered yard tools (leaf blowers, lawn mowers)
LOCATION
Catoctin Mountain Park, established in 1936, is located along the eastern portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Thurmont, Maryland. The 5,890.36-acre mixed hardwood forest includes abundant wildlife, freshwater streams and interesting geologic formations. The purpose of Catoctin Mountain Park is to provide meaningful recreational opportunities while protecting and interpreting the park’s natural, historical, and cultural resources in the regenerative spirit of 1930s New Deal conservation programs.
This National Park’s diverse cultural resources provide several vignettes of our nation’s history in one small location. Native Americans quarried rhyolite for the production of lithic tools. Evidence of the charcoal and iron industry are still visible today, along with smaller industries including farms, sawmills, and prohibition alcohol distillation. Historic structures, products of the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps, along with the site of our nation’s first Job Corps Center, are tangible reminders of the capability of vigorous youth programs to strengthen the nation’s economic and social fabric.
CAMP SEASON
Assistance is needed during our busiest season which generally occurs May through October.
UNIFORMS
We provide volunteers with shirts, hat, and a name tag. We recommend that you bring brown or khaki pants and sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Shorts are not recommended due to the presence of poison ivy and ticks.
HOUSING & AMENITIES
Housing is currently not available. Volunteers will be provided with a concrete pad suitable for a trailer or recreation vehicle. The site includes electric and water hook-up. No dump station is available in the Park. There is a dump station available in nearby Cunningham Falls State Park William Houck area which is 3 miles away and the fee is $5.00.
Verizon and AT&T systems provide excellent cellular coverage. No Wi-fi is available.