The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) began recruiting volunteer campground hosts in early March for the 2026 camping season. This year’s program spans 15 locations, including site favorites such as Mississippi Palisades State Park, Lake Michigan’s shoreline at Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park, and the World Shooting and Recreation Complex.
Campground hosts act as the primary liaison between park staff and visitors, serving as the first point of contact for arriving guests. Their core responsibilities involve greeting campers, monitoring arrivals, issuing permits, explaining park rules, and performing minor maintenance tasks like restroom checks.
The compensation structure requires volunteers to commit to an average of 35 hours per week, including weekends and holidays. In exchange, hosts receive free camping at a designated site for their personal RV or trailer and a nominal stipend of $1 per day.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, possess their own camping equipment, and commit to a minimum stay of four weeks. Calvin Beckmann, the IDNR chief of parks and recreation, emphasized that the most critical qualification is a “genuine enthusiasm for working with the public”.
The recruitment process includes standard background checks, reference verification, and physical capability assessments. Interested individuals must submit a completed program packet directly to the site superintendent at their preferred location.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources host program serves as a strategic blueprint for the outdoor recreation industry by demonstrating how to formalize the “workamper” model to enhance site management and guest satisfaction.