The New Park Pass
May 6, 2007
Featured Product Misty Mate Mister Staying Cool
In This Issue:
About The Volunteer Pass
Boondocker Needed
Volunteer Camp Canada
1. About The Volunteer Pass
1. What is the Volunteer Pass?
Congress authorized the Secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture and Interior to issue an annual pass to a volunteer in exchange for significant volunteer services performed by the volunteer. "Significant" is defined as 500 hours by the Federal Interagency Team on Volunteerism.
2. Which agencies participate in the Volunteer Pass program?
Volunteer hours may be accrued at Forest Service (FS), National Park Service (NPS), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) sites. These sites will issue and honor the Volunteer Pass at locations where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fees are charged.
Note: We are investigating whether agencies that are not legislated as part of FLREA (Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act), can participate in the Volunteer Pass program.(For example the Corps of Engineers).
* For information on BLM sites visit www.blm.gov
* For information on Reclamation sites visit www.usbr.gov
* For information on FWS sites visit www.fws.gov
* For information on USDA FS sites visit www.fs.fed.us
* For information on NPS sites visit www.nps.gov
* For information on Federal Recreation lands visit www.recreation.gov
3. Where can I find out about volunteer opportunities on Federal lands?
www.volunteer.gov/gov/
HOW TO OBTAIN A VOLUNTEER PASS top
1. Who qualifies for the Volunteer Pass?
The Volunteer Pass will be issued free of charge to volunteers who accrue 500 volunteer hours. Volunteers may officially begin to accrue "Pass hours" on or after January 1, 2007.
2. Does a volunteer have to accrue the 500 hours in one year?
No. There is no specific time frame in which the volunteer hours must be accrued. Once the 500 hour requirement is reached and a pass is issued, the volunteer's "Pass hours" are reset to zero and the count begins again. Only one pass may be issued per year.
3. If a volunteer works "2,000" hours in one year do they get a volunteer pass for the next 4 years?
No. When the 500 hour requirement is reached and a pass is issued the volunteer must work another 500 hours over the next year to be issued another pass when the current one expires. If a volunteer works more that the 500 hours during the year they still earn only one pass per year.
4. How are volunteer hours going to be tracked?
In order to be eligible for this pass, a volunteer must personally track his/her hours on the official tracking form provided by an official Volunteer Coordinator at one of the participating Federal sites. The volunteer must submit his/her form to an official Federal Volunteer Coordinator for verification of hours worked, on quarterly basis, and/or when the 500 hour mark is reached.
Note: Volunteer hours will need to be tracked on a cumulative basis for other reporting requirements, but will be done in increments of 500 for the purpose of the Volunteer Pass.
5. Who will issue the Volunteer Pass?
For the first year of this pass program (2007), the Volunteer Pass will be issued by agency-specific volunteer program coordinators once they have verified the volunteer's hours. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at the Federal recreation site nearest you for further information. It is expected that beginning in early 2008, volunteers will maintain electronic time sheets for pass eligibility at www.volunteer.gov/gov.
VOLUNTEER PASS USE top
1. How long is the Volunteer Pass valid?
The Volunteer Pass is valid for 12 months from the month of issuance.
Note: Photo identification may be requested to verify pass ownership.
2. Can a volunteer give their pass to someone else if they already have an annual or lifetime pass?
No. Volunteer Passes are non-transferable and may not be given to someone else or traded in for cash equivalent. The Volunteer Pass is only one means of rewarding avolunteer, so if they already have a pass they should be given some other type of reward.
3. What does the Volunteer Pass cover?
The Volunteer Pass admits pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (Children under 16 always admitted free).
4. Is the Volunteer Pass valid at unstaffed Federal recreation sites?
Yes. A Hangtag will be provided with each Volunteer Pass providing a way to display the pass so it is visible through the windshield of a vehicle.
* Insert your Volunteer Pass on the side of the Hangtag stating "Annual." When visiting un-staffed Federal recreation sites, place the Hangtag on your review mirror, ensuring your pass is facing towards your vehicle window.
* Hangtags are merely a way to display your valid pass and they are not valid for entry without a valid pass.
5. My family is traveling in two cars; will the Volunteer Pass let all of us into the site?
No. Only the vehicle with the pass holder is covered. The second vehicle is subject to an entrance fee, or must use a second pass.
6. My spouse and I are each riding our own motorcycle or scooter; will one Volunteer Pass cover both our entries?
No. At sites with per vehicle entrance fees the Volunteer Pass will cover entrance for the pass holder on one motorcycle only.
7. I have a school bus that has been converted into a motor home. Will the Volunteer Pass cover my entrance into a Federal recreation site?
Yes. You may get questioned if the vehicle still looks like a school bus, but just let agency staff know that it has been converted into an RV/motor home and is privately owned (pass covers entrance for a single non-commercial vehicle).
8. What about bicycles?
Bicycles are handled differently within the five agencies. Please contact a local site specifically for information.
VOLUNTEER PASS BENEFITS top
1. Does the Volunteer Pass include any discounts at Cooperating Association bookstores, or at gift shops that are located in the Federal Recreation sites (i.e. the Grand Canyon or Okeefenokee bookstores)?
No. The Volunteer Pass does not provide discounts at Cooperating Association bookstores or on-site gift shops.
2. Does the Volunteer Pass provide any discounts on Expanded Amenity or Concessionaire (Concessioner) Fees?
No. The Volunteer Pass does not cover discounts on any Expanded Amenity or Concessioner Fees such as: camping, RV hook-ups, boat launching, backcountry permits, parking at Mount Rushmore, guided cave tours at Wind Cave National Park; or parking at some historic monuments or homes.
3. How can I tell the difference between a Standard Amenity Fee, an Expanded Amenity Fee, a Special Recreation Permit Fee, or a Concessionaire (Concessioner) Fee?
There are thousands of Federal recreation sites and fees vary across the Federal agencies. Please inquire locally about fees, pass acceptance and discount policies. www.recreation.gov
4. Is a Volunteer Pass valid at State Parks or local city/county Recreation Areas?
No. Federal Recreation sites are operated by the Federal government, whereas State Parks are operated by state governments, and local city/county recreation sites are operated by local governments.
Link: http://thebarrys.org/8kmirror/reservations.html
2. Boondocker Needed
Amistad National Recreation Area Volunteer Opportunities
4121 Veterans Blvd.
Del Rio, TX 78840 Information Link
Amistad National Recreation Area
Amistad National Recreation Area
Description Description:
NOTE: NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR CAMP HOST POSITIONS FOR THE 07/08 WINTER/SPRING SEASON. BOONDOCKERS NEEDED! PLEASE LET US KNOW ON YOUR APPLICATION IF YOU ARE CAPABLE OF DRY CAMPING FOR UP TO 6 MONTHS. LONG TERM POSITIONS DESIRED IN ALL VOLUNTEER JOBS
ALSO NOTE: Your application is forwarded to the supervisor for that position after it is received by the volunteer coordinator. The supervisor for Camp Host is Greg Garetz. He can be reached at Greg_Garetz@nps.gov, or (830) 775-6722.
Situated on the United States-Mexico Border, Amistad NRA is known primarily for excellent year round, water-based recreation including: boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving and water-skiing. Amistad NRA also provides opportunities for picnicking, camping and hunting. The reservoir, at the confluence of the Rio Grande, Devils and Pecos rivers, was created by Amistad Dam in 1969. In addition to excellent recreation, this area is rich in archeology and rock art, and contains a wide variety of plant and animal life.
Amistad National Recreation Area has 4 campgrounds that require hosts, however only one has full hookups (for the host only) and it is quickly filled. The other 3 have sewer only (for the host) and are great for campers with solar panels. We prefer long-term commitments for these positions. The term can be October-May continuous, or we can break it up into two 4 month positions being,Oct-Nov-Dec-Jan and Feb-March-April-May.
If you have any interest in this position, and can volunteer with us long-term, please send us your application (with references).
Mail your application to:
Amistad National Recreation Area
Volunteer Coordinator
4121 Hwy 90 West
Del Rio, TX 78840.
or
Email: amis_interpretation@nps.gov
or
Apply at www.volunteer.gov/gov
We look forward to your applications.
NOTE: We cannot consider anyone without their own accommodations and vehicle. We have no volunteer housing, no vehicles to spare, and no stipend.
Activities Available Activities:
Campground Host
Contact Contact Information:
John Little
830-775-7491 x206
john_little@nps.gov
Available Dates Available Dates:
09/01/2007----05/01/2008
Apply for Amistad National Recreation Area online Apply Online for this position:
Amistad National Recreation Area Application
Back to Search Results Back to Search
Link: http://thebarrys.org/camphostlinks.html
3. Volunteer Camp Canada
Jobs @ Parks Canada
Volunteering
Province House National Historic Site
Province House National Historic Site
© Parks Canada / J. Butterhill / H.02.22.06.09(01), 1995
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 summer or autumn placement through the central co-ordinator is December 1 of the preceding year. The deadline for winter and spring placement is June 30 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.
Last Updated: 2009-August
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Cool the air by as much as 30 degrees!
Keep Your Rv Cool This Summer - wikiHow
How to Keep Your Rv Cool This Summer
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
A simple method to keep your roof air conditioner on your rv to perform better this summer.
Steps
- After cleaning and changing filters simply place your water hose with a misting nozzel attached on the roof of your coach or trailer and provide a stream of mist over your roof air conditioner. Enjoy that 20 degree difference inside your rv during this summer's record heat. This has been working for us during the last eleven days of extreme Texas record heating.
Tips
- If your roof ac starts blowing warm air during extreme heat episode turn off unit and allow it to fully cool down while you continue to mist. I think the reason for this event is that each roof air unit has a maximum capacity for heat it can exchange and if it reaches this limit it shuts down to protect itself from burning. If it continues to occur shut it down go outside and mist yourself.
Warnings
- Don't waterlog your device.
Things You'll Need
- hose,nozzel with mist setting,water source,ladder
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Keep Your Rv Cool This Summer. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
This is the 17th edition of the Camp Host US Newsletter...we think the newsletters are getting better..what do you think? Would you like to see a topic that is not included? We are going to try and have one new recipe each issue along with an rv or camp host related tip going forward. 