Volunteering
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
ALABAMA'S STATE PARKS NEED YOU!
While park staff performs many of the daily tasks and duties it takes to operate, volunteers are vital to Alabama’s state parks. The Volunteer In Parks (VIP) program was created to allow individuals or groups to make a difference at their favorite park. VIP participants make a positive impact year-round in each of the state’s 22 parks.
The beauty of Alabama and the diversity of its cultural and natural resources has attracted millions of visitors to Alabama’s State Parks. People come to relax, explore, and appreciate a little corner of the world specifically made for them. Through this volunteer program, we expect to be able to extend these benefits to many more guests and to enrich their visit with better services and facilities. The primary purpose of the program is to provide knowledgeable, responsible, and available volunteers to assist in visitor services and interpretive education; and also to enhance the recreational experience of others by maintaining or improving the grounds and facilities that they use.
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES AT LAKE GUNTERSVILLE STATE PARK CAMPGROUND (Summer 2024)
- Camp Host - Our camp hosts serve as a point of contact after store hours. They work a 3 days on/3 days off schedule, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. manning the guard shack at the campground gate, registering guests and selling firewood and ice. They also perform early morning rounds and departure rounds at 11:00 a.m. You should love talking to people and have some computer knowledge to apply for this position.
- Beach Volunteer - Our beach is open to the public and stays busy during the summer months. Applicants for this position should be able to lift heavy trash bags and clean restrooms. This is a 3 days on/3 days off schedule.
- Bathhouse/Campground Volunteer - The park is known for its clean bathhouses and our volunteers do the best job! This is a 3 days on/3 days off schedule cleaning bathhouses, picking up trash in the campground, and cleaning firepits.
- Naturalist Assistant - Assisting the Naturalist with programs, point of contact during open hours on the weekend at the Nature Hut located in the campground, answering questions. Applicants for this position should have some conservation, wildlife, and outdoor knowledge.
In exchange for 24+ hours of service, volunteers will receive a free full-hook up site.
Contact the Campground Store at 256-571-5455 for more information or email Lori.Jepson@dcnr.alabama.gov
Alabama State Park VIP (Volunteers in Parks)
There are four ways you can show your support for Lake Guntersville State Park
1. PART-TIME VOLUNTEERS
Part-time volunteers work in one of our facilities assisting our staff. Tasks may include: providing information and directions, taking campground & lodging reservations, answering the phone, helping with events, programs & hikes, trail maintenance, landscaping duties, housekeeping, or activities in the park.
2. CAMP HOSTS *When an Opening is Available
Volunteer Camp Hosts act as our campground ambassadors. Camp Hosts receive a full hookup campsite in exchange for 24 + hours of service each week. Some duties may include: campground occupancy checks, light maintenance & cleaning, making copies, helping with events & programs, providing information & directions and assisting park staff in the Campground Store or Park Office
3. WORK CAMPERS *When an Opening is Available
Volunteer Work Campers receive a full hookup campsite in exchange for 24 + hours of service each week. A position will typically range from 1 to 3 months at a time. Some duties may include: maintenance & cleaning, painting, mowing, weed-eating, landscaping, monitoring trails, picking up trash, pressure washing, etc. Duties can vary.
4. SPECIAL PROJECTS
Lake Guntersville State Park State Park has over 30 miles of trails. Year-round maintenance is necessary to keep the trails in good condition. Some projects may include: keeping trails marked & legible, clearing new trails, repairing footbridges, erosion control, or brush trimming. Other projects could involve carpentry and other special skills to help make Lake Guntersville State Park State Park the best it can be.
For more information, to turn it an application, or to receive an application by email please email heather.mccann@dcnr.alabama.gov or give us a call at 256-571-5444
At Alabama State Parks, we work as a team. Our goal is to provide our guest with the best in accommodations and facilities In conclusion, our goal here at LGSP is to develop a diverse team of friendly individuals that are knowledgeable about our parks. This unique combination of employees and volunteers helps to ensure that all of our guests and visitors will have an enjoyable and memorable experience.
