Volunteer Activities
• Campground Host
• Construction/Maintenance
• Other
• Trail/Campground Maintenance
• Visitor Information
• General Assistance
Photo Courtesy of FS
Description
Would you like to experience all that “Wild and Wonderful” West Virginia has to offer, yet be near enough to town that you can quickly get to Wal-Mart, a movie, or the annual Mountain State Forest Festival? Consider being a volunteer host at Stuart Day Use Area!
Hosts will be provided a free campsite located at the day use area entrance. Reimbursement for allowed expenses is available. We prefer hosts who can commit to a full season, mid-April through mid-October.
Area
Stuart Day Use Area and Campground is nestled in the mountains of West Virginia along the Shavers Fork River. Located approximately 6 miles northeast of Elkins at the junction of WV Route 6 and Forest Road 91 (Stuart Drive), it was constructed in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The day use area offers tables, grills, and waste receptacles for picnicking, as well as three reservable pavilions.
Elkins is a large (for WV!) town with many amenities including a movie theater, multiple grocery stores, the beautiful Davis & Elkins College campus, and a historic train that tourists can ride through the fabulous mountain scenery. It is also home to the Mountain State Forest Festival, one of the oldest and largest festivals in WV, attracting over 75,000 visitors every fall. Rich in tradition, the Festival offers something for everyone to enjoy such as headline concerts and music shows, a lumberjack competition, forestry & wood exhibits, juried art show, photography exhibit, quilt show, arts and crafts, amusement rides, (3) parades, and the Royal Coronation of Queen Silvia.
The Monongahela National Forest provides visitors with scenic vistas, country roads, flowing streams and abundant plant and animal life. It was established in 1920 and encompasses one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the United States. Elevations range from just under 1,000 feet to 4,863 feet above sea level. Monongahela National Forest is a working forest providing timber, water, grazing, minerals and many fantastic recreational opportunities. Some of the recreational gems, among others, include Seneca Rocks (renowned rock climbing destination), Spruce Knob (highest point in WV), and Dolly Sods Wilderness.
Duties
This host position will be responsible for caring for the day use area, with the exception of reserved pavilions – campground hosts will take care of these when they are reserved. Hosts will represent the Forest Service in public contact, providing information and directions, and report vandalism and other problems to Forest Service personnel.
Full day-use area host duties may include:
- Mowing
- Greeting users, giving directions, and explaining fee system
- Cleaning and stocking restrooms
- Monitoring area use
- Performing minor maintenance
- Picking up litter
- Occasionally filling out forms
A host must work well with people, be personable and neat in appearance. You may be required to be on-site six days per week, especially on weekends and heavy use holidays. Hosts must generally be physically able to perform some raking, shoveling, mopping and sweeping. All necessary tools and supplies for work accomplishments will be provided by the Forest Service and a host campsite is available for use throughout the season with electric, sewer, and water hookups.
We look forward to meeting you!
HOUSING & AMENITIES
Type: Camp Sites
Description: A camp host pad with electric, water, and sewer hookups would be available for a host.