Camphosts needed at Alaska State Parks

Alaska State Parks depends on volunteers to help manage and maintain its parks as campground hosts.

Volunteer hosts are on-site representatives of Alaska State Parks. They welcome campers, acquaint them with park facilities and regulations, answer questions on local and statewide attractions and help visitors plan their trips. Hosts help the park rangers with the day-to-day operation and maintenance of campgrounds; this includes litter pickup, light janitorial maintenance and repairs. Special park projects can be designed based on a host's skills and interests.

What is a campground host's season?
The camping season in Alaska is generally from mid May through mid September. Some campgrounds are open year round or have extended seasons. Hosts are requested to volunteer 30 to 40 hours per week for at least four to six weeks. Hosts may stay the entire season and some areas may rotate hosts among campgrounds for a broader experience. Alaska State law requires any person residing in Alaska more than 60 days to obtain an Alaskan drivers license and registration for their vehicle.

Where do hosts live?
Volunteer hosts live in their own RV at a special campsite. Because campground hosts are the "ambassadors" for Alaska State Parks, their "residence" must be neat and well‑maintained. Alaska State Park campgrounds are rustic, but clean and beautiful. Each campsite has a parking pad, a picnic table and a fire pit. Each campground has water, restrooms and trash containers. Some host locations have access to telephone and electricity. Nearby communities and lodges have sanitary dump stations and most other services. Generally, the campgrounds are near recreation attractions.

What will hosts receive?
Campground hosts stay free in an Alaska State Park campground and have free use of all facilities. Each host or host couple will be trained by the ranger staff and will receive a volunteer uniform. In addition, a subsistence payment of  $100 to $500 may be available for longer commitments. More information and list of available positions are available at alaskastateparks.org under the heading of "Volunteer Program."

New ferry service from Bellingham, Washington to Whittier, Alaska

May, 2, 2011 -- For the first time, the Alaska Marine Highway System will run a route every other week from Bellingham, Wash., to Whittier, Alaska. Previously, ferries departing Bellingham only traveled as far north as Haines, Alaska.

The new route aboard the 499-passenger MV Kennicott will place travelers just 60 miles south of Anchorage, where they can then access Southcentral and Interior Alaska via highway or the Alaska Railroad. Another new addition to the Alaska Marine Highway summer schedule is weekly service to the community of Gustavus, being added to the schedule for the first time in the system’s history. Gustavus is the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and adjacent to the Tongass National Forest. For more information, visit www.FerryAlaska.com.