Shared by Sandi Martin, as Guest Blogger.

Coming out of a difficult season in my life, I needed an adventure.

At long last my husband, Jerry and I came across the used camper we had been looking for. We tried out a campground close to home but quickly realized private campgrounds can’t touch the great deals or amenities state parks can offer, so I changed my attention back to my happy place - Douthat State Park, near Clifton Forge, Virginia.

My thirty days as volunteer camp host at Douthat

Will always be a wonderful memory for me

Remembering our friend Dave Pack’s job as a camp host there, I too decided to apply for a camp host position. Being told Douthat was a hard park to get, I prayed and waited. Due to health reasons, another camp host had to renege so I was offered the job for the month of July. Hence, my adventure began!

Jerry graciously helped me prepare for my month long hiatus.

He pulled the camper the two hours to Douthat as I followed in my car. Unfortunately he had to work so only had a couple days to stay. We arrived late afternoon and checked in with the park office where we were both given green, camp host t-shirts and information packets including park rules. Afterwards off we went to set up my home away from home for the next 30 days.

Our host site at Lakeside Campground bordered the woods with a beautiful lake view, I knew I would take in every chance I could. We quickly set up camp and jumped on our bikes to meet our camping neighbors and begin our new roles, not knowing exactly what to expect.

One of our host duties was to clean up the campsites as campers left, which included cleaning out the fire pits.

My over-achieving husband found a rake and began combing the gravel sites making straight lines for a fresh look. I started cleaning out fire pits as I breathed in the fresh, mountain air.

White morning glories, with blooms closed for the day, caught my attention from the hillside, across the loop.

Over the course of the next month I quickly settled into the simple camping life.

I didn’t do a lot of cooking and ate simply. Occasionally I would dine at the Lakeview Restaurant in the park where I got a nice discount. Firewood was free, being the host, and I loved to start a blazing campfire while gazing at the airplanes lighting up the night sky above me. I enjoyed trying to identify the constellations while listening to the quiet camper voices around me. One night I enjoyed the music of the married folk singers at a site close by.

Each new morning brought new opportunities.

Campers came and went and I made lots of new friends that magical month of July.

I loved watching the children catch salamanders, fish, ride bikes, and enjoy the outdoors. It brought back wonderful memories of our own family camping when the kids were young.

Volunteer camp hosting at Douthat State Park

Was a great experience

Linda was a regular camper at Lakeside and had brought along many of her foster children throughout the years.

One night she invited me over for a wonderful dinner at her meticulous tent site. Another camper, Calvin, gave me a five gallon bucket filled with squash and tomatoes from his garden back home. Jim and Linda from Roanoke became great friends and are repeat campers who come every year with their extended family. Rita and Allan were motorcycle campers and we became fast friends and who turns out live very close by. Chip and Jeannie actually spent the night on our site in their small tent when the campground filled up. We had some great laughs under the awning as the rain was pouring down. Chad and Amanda were mountain bikers who added to the tapestry of wonderful new camper friends.

I learned a lot during that trip that will stay with me forever. 

I never felt cramped in my 27 foot home for the month. I loved reconnecting with the outdoors and enjoying the simplicity of life. I didn’t miss the internet or social media and I slowed down long enough to read a book from beginning to end. I had many moments to write and ponder, to run the trails, ride my bike, spend time with new friends and take lots of pictures.

My thirty days at Douthat will always be a wonderful memory for me.

-Sandi Martin

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Editor's note: 

Twenty two Virginia State Parks offer Camp Host opportunities from March through November. New hosts must create a volunteer account here, complete a screening interview, and pass a state police background check. Hosts agree to work a minimum of 30 hours per week, be flexible with the varying duties assigned in Virginia State Parks, and of course must enjoy camping and meeting new people.   

To learn more about the wonderful campgrounds at Douthat State Park click here, or at any other state park, click here.