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Boquillas

This is posted on behalf of Megan Wilkins, Volunteer Manager, Voyageurs National Park. If you need additional information, please contact Megan. "Howdy all! I wanted to try here for a volunteer position I am trying to fill. I am searching for a volunteer to work 4 days a week at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center in May and June. We have an RV spot with full hook-ups available within walking distance. One of the reasons I have had trouble filling this position is because my RV sites for that location are in a pretty forested area, so satellite reception is extremely spotty and unreliable. Maybe someone here would be interested anyways? If so, please send me an e-mail at megan_wilkins@nps.gov or call me at 218-875-2111. I don't have voice mail (in 2011! I know!) so e-mail is the best way to get me if I don't answer." Additional Information from npsvipnetwork, RVVIP Group Page: MINNESOTA Voyageurs National Park = 4 RV Volunteer Sites & 1 Cabin. Ash River = 2 RV Volunteer Sites with 30/50 amp, water, sewer, laundry facility, community room with shared kitchen, internet access, 3/4 bath. Rainy Lake = 2 RV Volunteer Sites with 30/50 amp, water, sewer, laundry facility, picnic table. Telephone /DSL at personal expense, limited Satellite access due to terrain, dock, canoe, paddles and life jackets. Please contact Megan if you have an interest in the North Country.

Texas is 1 of 5 States to Provide Veterans Benefits. News Article Annoucement - All Texas Military Veterans Now Qualify Texas Military Veterans Benefits

A perk for military families. Free Camping for Active Duty Military

Here is a listing of Free Entrance Days in 2012 for National Parks NPS Free Days Listing of NPS Parks NPS Parks by State

Followup on Topic. I am skeptical about everything. At first I was even skeptical about forums, and cruised the forums for about a year, and the rest is! We have been enjoying the NPS experience since April 2010, wow, last year, last decade. This npsvipnetwork has contributed to this enjoyment and experiences at Cape Hatteras, Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, and Charles Pinkney NHS, and Big Bend NP. The NPS is designating Park Rangers as Media Relations Rangers, who in turn, are establishing social networks for their particular historic site, monument, or park on facebook, twitter, etc., which are not .gov sites. Some of these Media Rangers, sure are young, 21/22, etc. Have to keep moving, get up in the middle of the night and compute, to keep up with their tech savvy. What I have discovered with the NPS is that our experience has been all positive, stress free, and Rangers do everything to ensure the volunteer experience is rewarding. I wish I discovered volunteering with the NPS 10 years ago. For us, it has been a heathly, educational, exciting and memorable year. We have served in museums, lighthouse tours, visitors centers, conducted informal wildlife programs, Forts, Tour Boats, living history, historic structure assessments,,,,and the beat goes on. We have met some of the finest caretakers of Our American Heritage, artists, educators, archeologists, biologists, historians, and on and on. I never envisioned living a lifestyle walking through History. For those that enjoy volunteering with the NPS, this network, brings Volunteers, Volunteer Managers/Coordinators together to share/exchange information, and) just plain enhance the Voluteer experience. (Disclaimer: FYI, I created an RV Volunteers-In-Parks Group on the site) to fill a void in locating RV Volunteer information that is difficult to find elsewhere, which should save Volunteers, Volunteer Coordinators some time, and besides it's become fun. What I like most about the Network is connecting with other NPS Volunteers, Park Rangers we have met as volunteers; positve Interactions, and it is another volunteer venture. And, That's the Rest of the Story! Best Wishes to All for a great 2011

If you're interested in a unique Volunteer Experience, I received the below information from Park Ranger Christine Mills: Mojave National Preserve = 5 RV Volunteer Sites 3 RV Volunteer Sites at Kelso/Baker, 30/50 Amp, Water, Sewer; 2 RV Volunteer Sites at Hole-in-the-wall, Water, Sewer only; Laundry Facilities; up to $100 Monthly Reimbursement Propane/Fuel, The Hole-in-the-Wall RV sites provides access to a shower, Picnic Table, Fire Ring, Freezer (shared), Access to NPS computers/internet after completing security course, Government Vehicle Reimbursement $5 per work day for long term Volunteers up to a maximum of $100 per month for grocery expenses. Mojave primarily utilizes long term volunteers, singles or couples for three or more months as interpretation, maintenance, resource management, administration, occasionally law enforcement. Hole-in-the-Wall is off the grid so no electricity is available) Several additional partial and full hook-up sites are planned for the future. All three sites have 30 amp connections, and one in Baker has a 50 amp connection available. All five RV sites have potable water connections. All five sites provide septic/sewer connections. Shared free NPS provided laundry facilities are available in Kelso and Hole-in-the-Wall, servicing three of the RV sites. No NPS laundry services are available in Baker, but Baker RVers may drive to Kelso - 35 miles one-way - to use those facilities. We reimburse campground hosts up to $100 per month for propane and generator fuel expenses since no electricity is provided at the Hole-in-the-Wall location. The Hole-in-the-Wall RV sites also come with access to a shower if needed, picnic table and fire ring at the site, and access to a shared freezer. All the sites come with access to NPS computers and internet after completing a security course and use of government vehicle as needed for work projects. We also reimburse long term volunteers $5 per work day up to a maximum of $100 per month for grocery expenses. Our park primarily utilizes long term volunteers, singles or couples, or live and work in the park for three or more months at a time for interpretation, maintenance, resource management, and even occasionally law enforcement or administration. If interested contact: Christina Mills District Interpreter/VIP Coordinator 760-252-6123 (HITW office) 760-326-7051 (BLM office) 760-928-2572 (HITW VC Mojave National Preserve

"Although we don't have a campground here at Wilson's Creek NB, we do have a nice KOA about 5 miles from here that has agreed to rent us 2 adjacent sites for the summer of 2011. If this is successful we hope to be able to continue this program in the future. Because our site does not have any housing at the park , NPS policy prevents us from developing an on-site campground for Volunteers (even though we have the space and interest). I am still looking for someone for next summer." Dave Hutson Park Ranger, VIP Coordinator Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (417) 732-2662 ext. 385 Wilson's Creek NB is close to Springfield, MO; about an hour +- from Branson, MO. A beautiful part of Missouri. If anyone is interested, please contact Park Ranger Dave Hutson for details

Imsooter, just realized I repeated some information. If you just registered on npsvip, Joy will approved it by tomorrow, and you get a notice. She is really responsive. Being thanksgiving, it probably won't be until tomorrow. Also, after your membership is activated, if you indicate in your profile that you are an RV'r, you will also get an invitation to become a member of the RV Volunteers-In-Park Group. If you interested in the RV side of the NPS. If not, you should be able to see the information collected to date on NPS locations that use RV Volunteers, provide sites, hookups and other amenities. I explored the npsvip network site for awhile before registering, the site is administered by the NPS Servicewide Volunteer Coordinator, nps employee located in DC. She was previously a Ranger in Philly. The NPS is encouraging all NPS locations to expand their horizons by assigning Rangers as Media Relations Rangers to setup sites on facebook, twittr, flikr, etc....the youn Rangers assigned, seem to be enthused and interested in these new media's. npsvip began in 2009, and now has 455 registered members. What I am seeing on the site, is more Park Rangers, permanent, seasonal, Volunteer Coordinators, and Volunteers becoming members of the network. Collecting NPS RV Volunteer site information has taken a lot of time to accumulate. I am about 1/2 complete with the project, then I want to expand the information base. I only update the information on the npsvip rvvip group page. It is too timely to try to update more than one location, so I am keeping it specifically available on npsvip network. I don't want to commercialize it, etc. It is a fun project, hopefully folks that are interested in nps will enjoy having access to information not available elsewhere. Accessing the information, will require registering as you have done. As an nps specific site, there is already a lot of nps info on the site. Good Luck with the site and hope it is beneficial. Hope you enjoy the npsvip.

If you have volunteered at an NPS site, you may recognize some folks in the slideshow. History of NPS Volunteer Program

For those interested in the NPS. National Park Service by the Numbers* $48,000,000,000 incentivized in private historic preservation investment 11,700,000,000 visitors $5,409,252,508 in preservation and outdoor recreation grants awarded $2,750,000,000 annual budget 121,603,193 objects in museum collections 97,417,260 volunteer hours 84,000,000 acres of land 4,502,644 acres of oceans, lakes, reservoirs 2,482,104 volunteers 218,000 jobs supported in gateway communities 85,049 miles of perennial rivers and streams 68,561 archaeological sites 43,162 miles of shoreline 28,000 employees 27,000 historic structures 2,461 national historic landmarks 582 national natural landmarks 400 endangered species 393 national parks 40 national heritage areas 1 mission: The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. *numbers are cumulative through the end of FY 2008

Done and Done,,, Thanks John

This is a Full edit of the original post as a result of over a year's experience with NPSVIP Network, which was the original subject of this post. The type of information I look for when searching for a RV Volunteer locations, includes RV Volunteer Site Amenities to include 30/50 amp, water, sewer. Normally, this type of information is not easily located without direct contact with an individual Park. I have taken over a year to consolidate RV Volunteer Sites and Amenities information by personal contact, and identified NPS locations that Have RV Volunteer Sites and those that Do Not have RV Volunteer sites. This consolidation of information includes over 300 NPS locations. The information is available on the National Park Service Volunteer In Parks Network (NPSVIP), which is a free National Park Service sponsored site. The NPSVIP Network is designed for intereraction and the sharing of information between Volunteer Managers, Volunteers, and Friends of Volunteers. It is not a discussion forum, however, it is designed to allow members to easily share information. The NPSVIP Network requres registration. I have not had any issues with the site since becoming a member and creating an RV Volunteers In Park (RVVIP) Group in September 2010. The NPS Areawide Volunteer Coordinator that Administrators the site is a National Park Service Employee. The site does not have commercial advertising, soliciting, etc. Access is made available for Volunteers to obtain NPS items from a sponsored NPS Book Store and Gift shop. NPS Historic Sites and Parks are creating Social Media Sites on twitter, facebook, etc.,. NPS Park Rangers are being assigned as Media Rangers to setup, administer and monitor social media sites for their specific Historic Site or Park. Folks interested in having access to RV Volunteer Site Information as well as other Volunteer Information can access the NPSVIP Network here: http://npsvipnetwork.org/?xg_source=msg_mes_network If folks are looking for an alternative to paid work camping positions, and their Volunteer time is not about money, then RV Volunteering may be a great Option. A study of Volunteer Work for the NPS was determined to be worth approximately $20.00 an hour to the National Park Service. Working hours vary from Location to Location and can range from as little as 16 hours per week to 40 hours per week for singles and couples. The Perks other than being provided a FHU Site vary from location to location which are described on the RVVIP Group Page. There is one Perk that can not be adequately described; that is the experience of the experience. Addendum: With the help of other members of RVVIP, I am in the process of identifying RV Volunteer Locations, Sites and Amenities and consolidating that information on the US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, State and County Parks throughout the United States. I hope this followup information is of interest and helpful to those who have thought about RV Volunteering, but didn't know where to start.

Great Texas idea!, thanks for passing this on. Although, we aren't in Texas right now, still a nice gesture. I'll pass it on.,,,,thanks T.

I came across this NPS Annual Report from FY05. Could not locate any later report. Thought some might find it interesting. From time to time there have been discussions regarding the value of Volunteer work, etc.....this report places a value on the hours Volunteers work for the NPS. Here is an excerpt: Current Status In FY2005, 137,000 VIPs contributed 5.2 million hours of service (or 2500 FTEs) valued at $91,260,000 based on the private sector value figure of $17.55 as used by AARP, Points of Light Foundation, and other large-scale volunteer programs including many federal agencies. There are 365 separate volunteer programs throughout the National Park Service. Since 1990, the number of volunteers has increased an average of 2% per year. FYI, an FTE is a government acronym for Full Time Equilavent, which refers to one position. A Full Time Equivalent Position in 1999 was considered to be 2087 hours worked in one year. If you do the math, it comes out to 2100 hours per year, this may be the new FTE,,,,if so,,, it has been raised twice that I am aware of. The benefit comes out to over $5.2 million and change. Unless, they are using "Close enough for Government Work" figures. Fy05 Volunteer In Parks Report Cut & Paste if link problems: http://www.nps.gov/archive/volunteer/FY05annualVIPreport.pdf The report also discusses International VIPS: "Every year, more than one hundred individuals from all over the world volunteer in America’s national parks. The International Volunteers-In-Parks Program (IVIP) benefits both the individual volunteer and the National Park Service. International volunteers receive training in such areas as park management, wildlife research, environmental education, and interpretation and are then able to apply those skills at home." The report goes into more detail about sites around the world open to Volunteering. There is also some Park specific info for NPS Parks. I found it interesting, your experience may be different.

Texas State Parks With WiFi

Recently came across this website if anyone is interested. NPS VIP Network

Had the Shrimp & Grits at Saffron's, may as well get to the Angel Oak. Thanks, first I heard of the oak....

Anyone in the area might find this interesting. Charles Pinckney Historic Site

For Some, it could be outdoor recreations, for others, fun, and yet others, work! Or, an excuse for a coooollllll one after,,,No Excuse Needed! National Public Lands Day

Announcements have been posted on volunteer.gov for volunteer positions on the Outerbanks, if interested. Includes: Cape Hatteras Light Station Wright Brothers National Memorial Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Bodie Light Station Ocracoke Campground & Vistors Center We had such a great experience at the Lighthouse, just thought others might be interested. Park Rangers are very appreciative of the contributions of Volunteers. I would return in half a heartbeat if back East. If interested, suggest inquiries be made about the RV Volunteer Sites at each location. Although we did not personally check out each locations RV Sites (except the lighthouse, which are great), other volunteers we worked with indicated that the Fort Raleigh RV Volunteer Sites are a little close together. I recorded specific information about the Lighthouse work requirements, site, communications, as well as pictures on VOLCONUS. PM any questions, if interested. Have Fun!

When in a strange land, here is a resource I use, which has been helpful. RV Park Reviews - Branson RV Park Reviews - Colorado

Volunteers are not assigned duty during the first week of arrival to allow time to get acclimated to the area. Volunteers are provided a reciprocal pass, which allows each volunteer and one guest free entrance to all Charleston Historic Sites. Volunteer Coordinator is excellent to work with and ensures volunteer schedules can accommodate requests. The work involves the use of a cash register for entry fees, and a separate cash register for Book Store sales. A historical Ft Moultrie video is shown every 30 minutes. Interact with visitors providing historical interpretive information for museum exhibits and Ft Moultrie displays. Volunteers can participate optionally as Ft Moultrie Interpretive Guides. Park Service Hats, Polo Shirts (long/short sleeve), Jackets are provided. Volunteers can wear Khaki, Beige, Olive Drab shorts/pants/trousers. There is a volunteer appreciation dinner held during october aboard a boat in the Charleston Harbor. The NPS uses a lot of local Volunteers at the 3 sites. Some non-critical assignments are not filled due to lack of staff/volunteers. During this time of the season, there are approximately 28 Rangers on staff at the 3 historic locations. Everyone has been friendly and appreciative of volunteer service. The beginning of what appears to be another great and positive experience with the National Park Service.

just click on VOLCONUS in the signature, it will take you to the pics and info....safe highways.

The last day was as exciting as the first day! Pictures and Slideshow on the Blog,,,,,There are no ads, nor will there be. The tallest Lighthouse in the United States, the tallest Brick Lighthouse in the world. The most famous light station known around the world. Cape Hatteras Light Station