Park Host - Cave Junction (southwest Oregon), OR

Park Host - Illinois River Forks State Park Position starts July 7, 2015. Illinois River Forks State Park is located in southwest Oregon a half mile south of Cave Junction, the gateway to Oregon Caves National Monument. Volunteers are provided with a RV site with electric, water, and septic hook up.

The host site is about 300 feet from the best swimming hole in the valley so cooling down during the day is not a problem. Volunteers must have an ability to work independently and interact with visiting groups composed of people of all ages, abilities, ideologies, and nationalities. Responsibilities include opening and closing the entrance gate, grounds upkeep (litter patrol, empty 3-4 trash cans), and assure the one-seat restroom is stocked with toilet paper and cleaned.

Duty hours are variable. General duties (trash cans, opening/closing gate, and restroom) can be done in an hour but hosts are expected to keep an eye on activities during the day. This can be done casually while reading a book, watching a movie, talking on the phone, etc. Hosts can come and go any time they want to do shopping or explore the local area.

The state park is located in a valley surrounded by the Siskiyou Mountains, a rugged section of the Pacific coast range that is the source of water for the two rivers that merge at this park (the forks). Wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, and Oregon Caves National Monument are within a 30 mile drive of the park. Redwood National Park and the Pacific Ocean are less than 60 miles to the south. Crater Lake National Park and the crest of the Cascade Mountains are about 150 miles to the east. Cave Junction has a grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants, service stations, churches, schools, and senior center.