2027 Schwarz Campground Volunteer Host

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is now recruiting for SUMMER 2027 Campground Hosts in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley!

The Willamette Valley Project is looking for highly motivated, energetic couples or 2-person teams to help manage Schwarz Campground located along the Row River and below Dorena Dam near Cottage Grove, Oregon. If you like working in the outdoors, helping campers, and maintaining recreation areas this could be a great opportunity for you.

Duties:

Daily work involves assisting in the operation of Schwarz Campground which includes, but is not limited to, staffing the entrance booth, selling campsites and passes (cashless system), conducting campground checks, checking in/out reservations for campers, updating reservation placards, providing information to visitors, and informing visitors of campground rules and regulations. It will not be your responsibility to enforce the rules and regulations; however, you will need to be comfortable speaking with campers about our policies. Additionally, hosts may also perform minor maintenance tasks as needed especially prior and after park opening/closing. Tasks include but are not limited to: installing and removing signs, painting, vegetation management, picking up litter, and cleaning fire rings. Volunteers are not responsible for cleaning bathrooms.

Time Commitment & Hours:

Position starts in April 2027. Volunteers must arrive no later than April 18 for training. Campground opens April 23. Position ends the week of September 13, 2027, when campground closes. This position requires working 9-hour shifts, between two-four days/week for each couple (hours may be divided up between the couple). Weekends, including Sundays, and holidays may be required.

Amenities:

In exchange for volunteering, we offer a full hook-up campsite (water, sewer, and electric service) for an RV or trailer within the volunteer village at Schwarz Campground. WiFi/internet is not provided but may be purchased through local companies. There is decent to poor cellular phone coverage throughout Schwarz Campground. Volunteers will have access to free laundry machines at Schwarz.

About Schwarz Campground and Dorena Lake:

Dorena Reservoir and Schwarz Campground is set in the gentle rolling hills of the Calapooya Mountains, less than 10 miles from the quaint town of Cottage Grove, which is known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the West” and 30 miles south of Eugene, Oregon.

Schwarz Campground offers a mixture of nearly 90 single and double-family campsites and six group sites. Flush toilets, drinking water, showers and a dump station are provided. Younger campers love the park's big playground.

Dorena Reservoir is a great location for boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming. Nearby Baker Bay County Park offers a boat ramp and marina. USACE manages two, day-use parks – Harms Park and Bake Stewart Park - along Dorena Reservoir.

The Row River Trail, managed by BLM, stretches 14 miles from downtown Cottage Grove, past the Dorena Dam and along the entire north side of the lake. This popular path is open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Alcohol is strictly prohibited at all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands and lease areas around Dorena and Cottage Grove Reservoirs including Schwarz and Pine Meadows Campgrounds. Volunteers are required to comply with this policy.

Other volunteer positions may be available in maintenance and at nearby Pine Meadows Campground, along Cottage Grove Lake.

Check out our article on Gone Workamping - https://goneworkamping.com/volunteer-workampers-needed-at-usaces-scenic-willamette-valley-in-oregon/