North Idaho campground hosts needed

NATIONAL FORESTS — Volunteer Forest Service campground hosts are being sought for the summer season at the historic Snyder Guard Station near the Moyie River, the Bonners Ferry Ranger District says.

Applications  are being accepted. The hosts should be selected by May 10.

“This is an ideal position for friendly, high energy folks who would enjoy a quiet, inexpensive setting in return for host responsibilities on a National Forest treasure,” said Linda McFaddan, Bonners Ferry District Ranger.

Read on for details.

The Snyder Guard Station campground host position is intended for singles or couples. A new, single bedroom house on site will be provided for the host; however, the house is not adequate for couples with children. The house includes appliances and will be partially furnished. There will be a minimal monthly use fee of $225 during the winter months to help defray the utilities and maintenance costs of the host house. This monthly fee only applies if the volunteers live there through the winter. A small storage shed is available for private possessions, as is a small garden plot for personal use.

“We are asking for a full season year round commitment, but would consider May through November as a minimum commitment,” said Pat Hart, District Trails and Recreation Program Leader. Hart said that the host agreement for 2011 may be renewed for an additional year. “Because it is important for us to have a host available on site, we will not consider applicants who have full time employment elsewhere.” However, a couple may apply when one member of the couple intends to assume the primary hosting responsibilities.

The historic Snyder Guard Station is a complex of seven buildings that is a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings include a residence, two log cabins, a cookhouse, an office/warehouse, two corrals, a machine shed and a garage. All of the buildings were built before 1936. Of those buildings, the residence, two cabins, the cookhouse, the office/warehouse and the corrals will be available for rental. In addition, outside the National Register Site, a group picnic and camping area provides campsites and amenities for six recreational vehicles, parking for 10 passenger vehicles, plenty of room for tent camping, a toilet and water faucets, as well as pathways to the Moyie River. A group picnic shelter is planned.

Interested parties can pick up application packets at the Bonners Ferry Ranger District, 2686 Main Street, in Bonners Ferry, or via email request to: pahart@fs.fed.us, spetesch@fs.fed.us, or ssteinhorst@fs.fed.us.

You may also call to request an application, (208) 267-5561 The application packet includes a detailed list of job responsibilities.

The selection of Snyder Guard Station host will be made by May 10. The host could be placed as early as Memorial Day 2011.