Hosting Our Visitors
Updated: May 7, 2009
Each year, millions of people from around the world visit Alberta's parks and protected areas to relax, experience the great outdoors and learn about our province's heritage. You can share in their experience by becoming a host at one of our campgrounds or other facilities.
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.
What It Means to be a Host
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.
Volunteer Host Opportunities
Submit an application Online Form or Downloadable PDF.
- Sites with hosting opportunities change each season.
- Applications are accepted year-round. However, placements are only made January through June.
For more information, please conatact Volunteer Services:
Email: Parks Volunteer Phone: 780-427-3582 or 1-866-427-3582 Fax: 780-427-5980 Address: Alberta Tourism, Parks & Recreation
Parks Division
2nd Floor, Oxbridge Place
9820 - 106 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2J6
