For those of you with G.P.A.'s above 3.25, many parks offer programs where you are hired automatically as V.I.P.'s. You are even given free room, board, and transportation from your hometown to your worksite. V.I.P. workers are also paid about 30% more than other, less important, seasonal workers.
Gotcha! Actually, in this case, V.I.P. stands for Volunteers in Parks, not Very Important People! The V.I.P. program is especially handy for people who want to experience the national parks while helping those parks be the best they can. If you were to volunteer, you would work on a wide variety of projects in any of our national parks. The majority of volunteers lead tours and give informational talks to park visitors. Others are active in the parks' resource management projects, or they generally help out where needed.
The V.I.P. program is especially helpful to those who can only work for a short time. Many people feel good about simply volunteering their time for such a good cause as our national parks. Most volunteers work between 20 and 40 hours per week, which leaves plenty of time for exploring the park's facilities. Housing is usually arranged by the park where you work, but it may not be free. Some parks also reimburse costs such as travel expenses or room and board. Training is also provided for specialized positions. Many V.I.P.'s also get a stipend of about $100 per week.
To apply for a volunteer position, write the office below and request Form 301. Make several copies of the form, sending them to each of the parks that interest you. Be sure to sign each form. You will be contacted by the park's volunteer coordinator about opportunities available. The coordinator will also be able to give you more specifics about what kind of deal is offered to volunteers in terms of room, board, and transportation.
