PENDLETON — The Umatilla National Forest is looking for volunteers to spend the summer as campground hosts at Olive Lake and Penland Lake campgrounds.

A campground host welcomes campers, provides information on the surrounding area and generally makes campers feel at home.

Hosts will visit with campers and day-use visitors, clean and maintain restrooms, restock supplies, occasionally clean up after camp, and carry out minor maintenance as needed. They keep an eye on things and set the example for others on the campground.

Individuals or couples can apply to be hosts. Retirees often apply to the campground host program. Hosts need to be friendly, flexible and responsible. Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check.

Those who apply will need to supply their own trailer, camper or motor home. Campground hosts will be provided a campsite, usually near the main entryway to the campground. Though the host program is a volunteer program, a food allowance and propane is offered, and personal vehicle mileage associated with hosting duties is reimbursed.

Olive Lake Campground is 12 miles southwest of Granite and sits on the shore of a 90-acre high mountain lake. This campground is typically hosted from early-June through Labor Day. The campground features 28 campsites and seven accessible toilet facilities. Other features include a 2-mile accessible hiking trail around the lake with nearby access to wilderness and scenic area trails, a boat ramp and two docks. If you are interested in becoming a Forest Service volunteer campground host at Olive Lake Campground, contact Christy Lawhead at 541-427-5329 or christy.lawhead@usda.gov.

Penland Lake campground is 20 miles southeast of Heppner, and abuts private land and land the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife owns. The campground offers seven campsites and two vault toilets on the national forest portion with more campsites located on the adjacent ODFW property. Penland is popular on summer weekends and offers access to fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. There is also a boat ramp, fishing dock, and benches located on the dam. This campground is typically hosted from Memorial Day through mid-November. For more information on becoming a Forest Service volunteer campground host at Penland Lake Campground, contact Jody Collins at 541-676-2155 or jody.collins@usda.gov.

Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.