Park host Minnie Walker cleans the women's restroom at the Lake Anna State Park while her husband Bill Walker keeps watch. photos by ben fredman/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

Hosts do most anything

Camp host program works for Virginia's parks and those who serve as extra eyes and ears

Date published: 8/5/2008

By Rob Hedelt

BILL and Minnie Walker have a home in Florida, but they are spending three months this summer as camp hosts at Lake Anna State Park.

There, they'll welcome campers, keep bathhouses tidy, dispense advice and serve as extra eyes and ears.

In return for a minimum of six hours of work, five days a week--the Walkers and many others work longer--camp hosts in Virginia's state parks can save hundreds of dollars with free campsites, free utilities and access to park amenities.

Some in the long-running program, like Maida and Edward Costello, working at Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster County, are full-timers in their RV with a permanent spot for winter.

Others, like Marge Wood at Westmoreland State Park, take their RVs from park to park, making camp hosting a full-time life.

MR. FIX-ITS ABOUND

Bill is like many of the hosts you'll find in the Virginia state parks.

Retired from the Navy, he's handy with tools.

One night, a young Lake Anna camper having an orthodontic emergency needed special pliers.

Other times, campers need an air mattress or bicycle tires inflated, an air conditioner fixed or simply a Phillips screwdriver.

Minnie's assistance ranges from dispensing baking soda for bee stings to giving out dish soap or sugar to campers in a bind.

The couple, in their 60s, got involved in campgrounds and RV parks when a visit to one 15 years ago resulted in a job offer.

They had worked at parks in Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee, then landed Virginia Beach. They began at Virginia parks in 2006, working first at Smith Mountain Lake.

The hardworking pair start their days early, cleaning the bathrooms and showers before breakfast.

"We pride ourselves on keeping them and the campsites straight," Minnie said.

The appeal: The camping's free and the couple gets to meet an endless stream of interesting people.

"We love seeing the kids and families camping," she said. "It keeps us young."

SELL HOUSE, HIT THE ROAD

The Costellos are typical camp hosts. The couple, also in their 60s, took a deep breath when they retired in 2004, sold their home, bought an RV and took off.

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Date published: 8/5/2008