From Parks Canada Agency Website:

U.S. Citizens volunteering in Canada

Volunteering

Some national parks and national historic sites take applicants (foreign and Canadian) for volunteer positions. For Canadian applicants, you should directly contact the national parks and national historic sites which interest you. Remember to include the nature of your studies and the dates which you would like to work.

For foreign applicants to be considered for a volunteer position, you must first fill out a questionnaire which you can obtain by writing to:

Co-ordinator
Parks Canada National Volunteer Program
25 Eddy Street, 4th Floor
Hull, Quebec
Canada
K1A 0M5

The questionnaire must be returned to the same address.

Or, you can request the questionnaire (and other information) via e-mail

Canadian applicants can also submit a questionnaire to the above address if they don't have in mind a specific park or site they would like to volunteer in. If they want to volunteer far from home, they can use this address to obtain some direction concerning possibilities offered in other regions of Canada.

The deadline for spring or summer placement through the central co-ordinator is February 1st of the preceding year. The deadline for autumn or winter placement is July 1st of the preceding year.

If there is a volunteer position where your skills and experience can be used, you will be contacted by Parks Canada staff, by letter or phone.

Click Here to visit the Parks Canada Agency website for more information.

Alberta Provincial Parks

From their web page:

Campground hosts greet visitors and provide them with information. They volunteer a minimum of three to four hours a day, five days per week (including weekends). Hosts must provide their own self contained camping unit (RV, truck camper, or tent trailer).

Other hosts: in some parks, volunteers provide hosting services in day use areas and visitor information centres, rather than in campgrounds.

Your hosting duties:
Each site and each volunteer are unique so duties vary, but as a rule hosts:

• welcome visitors;
• assist with public education and interpretation
• provide information about facilities, services, activities, rules and regulations;
• provide information about things to see and do in the surrounding area;
• assist visitors in obtaining help in emergency situations; and
• inform authorities about observed infractions or public safety concerns

What support do we provide to our hosts?

• Supervision, training and orientation.
• Introductions to other team members, including staff, volunteers and contractors.
• A site tour to familiarize hosts with services, facilities and equipment.
• General information on duties, the work site and the surrounding area.
• Information about rules, emergency procedures and emergency contacts.
• Publications to hand out to visitors.
• A free campsite, easily accessible to visitors, with at least one utility if available.
• Identification items (nametags, ball caps, T-shirts, signs for the host's vehicle and campsite).
• An opportunity to participate in the annual volunteer conference held each spring.
• A copy of the "Partners in Preservation" newsletter, published twice a year.

Visitor benefits include:

• a friendly welcome;
• someone to talk to about registration, facilities and services;
• a richer camping experience through discovering new places to go, new attractions to see, and new events to take part in;
• an increased sense of security;
• a sense of community; and
• a lasting, positive impression!

Who makes a good volunteer host?

• Friendly, outgoing, hospitable people!
• People who have a keen interest in preserving and conserving nature.
• People who possess a general knowledge of Alberta's parks and protected areas.
• Camping enthusiasts who are available for a minimum of three weeks.

2005 Volunteer Host Opportunities

Applications for the upcoming season are now being accepted.
The following sites may be available for volunteer hosting at:

• Big Knife Provincial Park

• Chain Lakes Provincial Park

• Crimson Lake Provincial Park (Twins Lakes Campground)

• Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

• Dillberry Lake Provincial Park

• Dunvegan Provincial Park

• Moonshine Lake Provincial Park

• Notikewin Provincial Park

• Peaceful Valley Provincial Recreation Area

• Queen Elizabeth Provincial Park

• St. Mary Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area

• Williamson Provincial Park

Additional sites may be available, especially for partial season.

Click here to get more information.

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

From their web page:

Banff National Parks of Canada

Visitor Information

Camping

Volunteering

Campground Host Program

Do you enjoy the great outdoors?
Are you a friendly, outgoing person?
You would be a great campground host!

People from around the world visit Banff National Park to relax, experience the great outdoors and learn about Canada's natural heritage. You can join them by volunteering as a host at one of our campgrounds.

Campground hosts greet visitors and provide them with information. They volunteer for four hours a day, five days a week (including weekends). In return, hosts have free entry to the park for a year, a free campsite while they volunteer, a site tour and many other benefits.

Volunteers are encouraged to stay for a minimum of two weeks and to provide their own self-contained camping unit (RV, truck camper or tent trailer).

Click here to get more information.

 

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada, Nova Scotia, Canada

From their web page:

Campground Host Program

Do you enjoy the outdoors, camping in a wilderness setting, sharing your experiences with others?If you answered yes to these questions, perhaps our Campground Host program is perfect for you!  Campground Hosts are volunteers who serve without pay to share their camping expertise and to assist the park with the operation of the campground.  Anyone age 18 or over is eligible to serve as a Campground Host, and Hosts receive a free park entry permit, free camping and free firewood in exchange for their service.

 

Are we looking for you?

Our hosts are outgoing and love meeting new people. Our hosts are able to deal positively with different kinds of people and understand the limits of their authority and responsibility. They have strong camping experience, familiarity with the park and knowledge of the surrounding area (or are willing to do what it takes to gain such knowledge). Hosts provide their own camping equipment.

What do our hosts do?

• Inform campers of park regulations, policies and procedures
• Provide hospitality to campers
• Provide information about local resources & attractions
• Act as a good camping role model
• Generally assist campers as needed
• Walk through the campground every day
• Submit a written report at the end of the term of service
• Stay visible and approachable to campers by being outdoors frequently
• Contact the Park staff when necessary
• Stay in close communication with staff
• Attend meetings with staff and other hosts
• Refer problems to staff for solution
• Other tasks as assigned by staff

Who works with our hosts?

Hosts work closely with staff at the park, and are supervised by Visitor Services. Hosts are evaluated by the staff who work with them.

When do our hosts work?

Hosts are on duty at least five days out of seven, with any days off taken mid-week. Daily hours are concentrated in morning and evening. Hosts are “on call” whenever on site.

 

How are hosts trained?

All hosts are required to attend a training session at the Park in early June. Orientation includes an overview of the park, the Campground Hosts' Manual and the role of the hosts and emergency procedures. Hosts are provided with identification, an identified campsite, training, supervision and resource materials.

 

Why Be A Volunteer Campground Host?

Aside from meeting great people and enjoying the pleasant surroundings of our wilderness campground, entry fees, camping fees and firewood fees are waived during your term of service. Other benefits include socializing and sense of belonging to and contributing to the park.

 

How do I apply?

You can obtain an application form by writing to The Friends of Keji Cooperating Association, 50 Pinetree Crescent, Hammonds Plains, NS  B3Z 1K4, by e-mail at friends.keji@feom.com or by calling the park at (902) 682-2772.  Please include the full name and address of yourself and any partners who will be hosting with you.  After you have submitted your application and we have received your background checks, if all is in order, an interview will be conducted.  Applicants who are accepted will receive an agreement, to be signed by all the parties. The agreement makes it clear that the volunteer is responsible for his/her own liability.

Click here to visit their campground host web page.

Click here to visit their main web page.

 

 

Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada

From their web page:

Campground Host Program

Do you enjoy the great outdoors?
Are you a friendly, outgoing person?
You would be a great campground host!

People from around the world visit Kootenay National Park to relax, experience the great outdoors and learn about Canada's natural heritage. You can join them by volunteering as a host at one of our campgrounds.

Campground hosts greet visitors and provide them with information. They volunteer for four hours a day, five days a week (including weekends). In return, hosts have free entry to the park for a year, a free campsite while they volunteer, a site tour and many other benefits.

Volunteers are encouraged to stay for a minimum of two weeks and to provide their own self-contained camping unit (RV, truck camper or tent trailer).

Click here to get more information.

 

Manitoba Provincial Parks

From their web page:

The Volunteer Campground Host Program

• Are you an experienced camper with a good knowledge about Manitoba's provincial parks?
• Do you like meeting new people and helping them get the most from their stay in our campgrounds?
• If so, you should register for the Volunteer Campground Host Program.
  

What is a volunteer campground host?

A volunteer campground host is a camper who performs a variety of duties including:

• Greeting and assisting other campers
• Answering questions
• Listening to comments and distributing information
• Promoting park events
• Directing campers to unique park features
• Reporting violations of park regulations
  

How does the program work?

As a volunteer campground host, you will work with park staff to ensure visitors enjoy their stay in provincial park campgrounds. You must be aware of park rules and regulations and display a volunteer host sign at your campsite when on duty. You will not be required to collect fees, issue park permits or do other tasks normally performed by park staff. Volunteer campground hosts must be in attendance each weekend from the May long weekend to Labour Day plus a minimum of two weeks in July and two weeks in August.

Alternate requirements may be worked out with the program supervisor.

What's in it for you?

• The program provides an excellent opportunity to spend time promoting the many features of your favorite park. You provide a valuable public service and meet people from all over the world.
• At the end of the season, all volunteer hosts will be invited to attend an appreciation reception hosted by the Minister of Conservation.
• In addition, as a volunteer campground host, you will receive:
  • A complimentary Employee Vehicle Pass
  • A complimentary campsite for the season
  • Background information on the park
  • Hospitality training
    

Join the Program

To join the Volunteer Campground Host Program, complete the application form and forward it to the nearest provincial campground or park office.

Click here to get more information.

 

Nova Scotia Provincial Parks

From their web page:

Campground Host Program

The Campground Host Program began in Nova Scotia in 1996 to enable Nova Scotia Parks to maintain and surpass their current level of service. Similar programs have been successful in parts of the United States and in several other Canadian provinces. The benefits of the Campground Host programs are many, including better orientated and informed visitors, reduced vandalism and theft and fewer complaints.

Volunteer Campground Hosts spend at least two weeks in one of the participating provincial parks and commit to being on duty for four hours a day, five days per week, with weekends being the most busy time. To assist the park staff, Campground Hosts meet and greet campers and help orient them to the park, provide information about the park and monitor facilities in the park.

Hosts receive numerous benefits from their assignment, from enjoying the great outdoors, to meeting and helping people, to gaining experience to use in pursuing a career.

Provincial Parks participating in the Campground Host program:

• Amherst Shore Provincial Park,
• Battery Provincial Park,
• Blomidon Provincial Park,
• Graves Island Provincial Park,
• The Islands Provincial Park,
• Mira River Provincial Park,
• Smileys Provincial Park
• Porters Lake Provincial Park, and
• Valleyview Provincial Park.
  

To become a Campground Host you must be:

• willing to commit to a minimum two week period
• available five days between Monday and Sunday for four hours per day
• available for training at the beginning of the summer
• interviewed for the park of your choice
• agreeable to submit to having a background check and a search of the Child Abuse Registry and pass both.
• 19 years of age

Click here to get more information.

 

Ontario Provincial Parks

From their web page:

The Ontario Parks volunteer program provides an opportunity for individuals to make a tangible contribution to a specific park, a park to which they often have a special attachment. Volunteers supplement most aspects of park operations including acting as campground hosts, maintaining trails or canoe routes, and undertaking research. To learn about volunteer opportunities, simply contact the superintendent of the provincial park of interest to you.

Click here to get more information.

 

Saskatchewan Provincial Parks

From their web page:

CAMPGROUND HOSTS
Why not be a volunteer Campground Host this summer - spend some time talking to park visitors and enjoying the natural setting of a beautiful Saskatchewan Provincial Park. Your task is simple. Just share your camping experience and knowledge about the outdoors with others, and provide them with information about things to do and see in the park and surrounding area.

In exchange, we'll furnish you with a campsite and some extras to make your stay comfortable. We'll also provide all the necessary training.

We are ideally looking for individuals or couples willing to commit 4 to 5 days a week including weekends for the summer months.

If this sounds like the kind of camping opportunity you would enjoy contact the provincial park of your choice for more information or an application form.

Click here to get more information.

West Kootenay Park, British Columbia, Canada

From their web page:

Volunteer Park/Camp Host Opportunities

In most of our park campgrounds, we have volunteer opportunities for people interested in being Park/Camp Hosts. A Park/Camp Host is a non-paid position that requires the individual to provide visitor service information and other related duties to park visitors. In exchange for volunteer hours, the individual is given free camping usually on a serviced campsite within the park. A minimum one month commitment is required.

Click here to get more information.

 

Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada, Alberta Canada

From their web page:

Campground Host Program

People from around the world visit Waterton Lakes National Park to relax, experience the great outdoors and learn about our natural heritage. You can join them by volunteering as a host at one of our campgrounds.

Campground hosts greet visitors and provide them with information. They volunteer for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week (including week-ends). In return, hosts have free entry to the park for a year, a free campsite while they volunteer, a site tour, and many other benefits.

You must volunteer for a minimum of 2 weeks and provide your own self-contained camping unit (RV, truck camper, or tent trailer).

Click here to get more information.

 

Yoho National Park, British Columbia

From their web page:

Campground Host Program

Do you enjoy the great outdoors?
Are you a friendly, outgoing person?
You would be a great campground host!

People from around the world visit Yoho National Park to relax, experience the great outdoors and learn about Canada's natural heritage. You can join them by volunteering as a host at one of our campgrounds.

Campground hosts greet visitors and provide them with information. They volunteer for four hours a day, five days a week (including weekends). In return, hosts have free entry to the park for a year, a free campsite while they volunteer, a site tour and many other benefits.

Volunteers are encouraged to stay for a minimum of two weeks and to provide their own self-contained camping unit (RV, truck camper or tent trailer).

Click here to get more information.