Have you every hosted for the USFS? (not a contractor)
What was your experiences.....I just completed my 1st summer and would like to share them with others.
Our pro's and con's would be great to share with others who are considering this adventure.

Tom

Tom,

We have not hosted, but have interviewed and talked to many, many volunteer hosts throughout the U.S. In fact, to the left you'll find a tab for "Host Positions." It will be interesting to see what responses you get to your post. Perhaps there will be enough to establish a forum for hosts here, public or even private. It sure takes a special person to be a host and we, among hundreds if not thousands of NF campers, appreciate their dedication and hard work . . . Fred

Thanks Fred for your reply,
As a former host (summer 2009) my intent is to share some of my experiences with others who are considering this and the hope others will do the same.
We all know the value of a volunteer and with the talk of budget cuts thru out the goverment, this value has increased even more.
Our National Forests are a great resourse for our country and more and more of the responsibilities of maintaining them seem to be falling on volunteers. I say this out of the experience I gained this summer. They are expecting more and more from the host but not giving him the tools or the supervisory support to do the job. Many of the USFS campgrounds here in New Mexico are unhosted because the host will not return after experiencing lack of maintainence or administrative support. I've camped in New Mexico for over 30 years and have seen this situation esculate more and more in the past several years. It,s sad that these volunteers like myself, are not returning because of the lack of support from the USFS.
My experience as a host is very limited to one summer; the Santa Fe National Forest, and the Jemez Ranger District. I know I appear to be passing judgement on all of the USFS and I hope I am wrong, but the lack of management interest or concern for these volunteers (including myself) will keep me from any further considerations of volunteering with the USFS.

Thanks again for your reply,
Tom

Tom, my wife and I completed our first summer as hosts this past season in the "San Carlos District" in Colorado. It was in conjunction with the USFS and RMRC. So it doesnt apply to your topic as far as being volunteersfor the USFS, but I did post about our experience in the topic "Campground Hosting". Look forward to hearing some more on the experiences of volunteers!