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Overview

Joshua Tree

Camphost Responsibilities

Camphosts are responsible for the three C’s. This page breaks down what the C’s mean here at VLC jtree.

  1. Community is what sets VLC apart from other campgrounds. Plan and lead weekly group activities and post them on the VLC Community discord. See Weekly and Monthly event ideas below. 

  2. Content is another important responsibility of camphosting. Take vertical pictures and 10 second vertical videos that our media team can use when creating content. Post content to the Joshua Tree Discord channel. Campers love to see pics & vids, too!

  3. Cleaning community spaces for campers to enjoy is an important part of the gig. See the campground maintenance list below for specifics. 

If you have any questions during your hosting stint that aren’t answered on this page, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team through one of the channels below.

TASK LIST

CAMPER EXPERIENCE

COMMUNICATION & CONTENT

  • Take vertical photos & videos and post them on Discord. Photos and videos of campers enjoying their time in the community are the best!

  • Encourage campers to join the community Discord & remind them that we’re a growing network of community oriented campgrounds - QR code for the server is available here

  • Post about upcoming activities on Discord

CAMPGROUND MAINTENANCE

BATHROOM

  • Empty composting toilets

  • Clean all surfaces, including toilet, with bathroom cleaner and paper towels

  • Empty trash

  • Periodicallly provide clean hand towel

  • Fill water reserviors for hand washing sinks

  • Fill toilet rinse jugs with water

  • Use the shop-vac to vacuum the floors and sawdust accidentally spilled around the toilet buckets

  • Keep the following items stocked:

    • Toilet paper

    • Saw dust

    • Hand soap

    • Air freshener

SHOWER

  • Throw away items left behind by campers

  • Toss out any hair balls

  • Sweep out sand and creosote debris

  • Change the shower batteries if they die during your stint. The shower ignitor takes D batteries. The bottom of the heather has a battery port. Turn a small knob, and it'll open. From there you can replace the batteries.

KITCHEN

  • Wipe down counters

  • Scrub sink

  • Organize communal items

  • Keep the following items stocked:

    • Paper towels

    • Dish soap

    • Sponges

COMMUNITY TRAILER

  • Wipe down counters, tables, microwave, and any other dirty/dusty surfaces

  • Sweep the floor

  • Tidy shelves

  • Take out the trash

  • Keep the following items stocked:

    • Paper towels

    • All-purpose cleaner

OTHER

  • Purchase new supplies as they get low - send a picture of receipts to info@vanlifecampgrounds.com for reimbursement 

  • Water cacti/trees 1-2x per week (please help keep our delicate trees alive!)

  • Check mailbox - it’s located at the corner of Lear Ave & Valle Vista Rd (Note: campers need to use General Delivery)

  • Pick up dog poop & any trash that blows onto the property

  • Take the dirty hand towels to the laundromat. Wash, dry, and fold them, and return them to the clean hand towels drawer.

  • If a wind storm is in the forecast, move recycle bins over to the east side of the cabin in front of the kitchen storage room. This will prevent them from blowing over and making a mess.

  • *Winter only - When temperatures are forecasted to drop below freezing overnight, turn-off property water before bed, and turn it back on in the AM. The main water turnoff valve is covered by a green box in front of and to the right of the east cabin.

OPTIONAL

  • Take Recycling to the local recycling facility. You get paid cash by the facility for recycling

EVENTS

Weekly Activities:

Plan and lead low-stakes, no-cost activities that are authentic to YOU. Please aim for 3 per week, spread throughout the week.

Here are some ideas for inspo: 

  • 🔥 Communal fires 

  • 🧘🏼‍♀️ Sunset yoga

  • 🍕 Community dinner/potluck 

  • 🎥 Movie nights (projector stored in the community trailer under the bench on the right when you walk in - to be used by staff only)

  • 🎤 Karaoke night (karaoke machine onsite - to be used by staff only)

  • 🎨 Arts & crafts (paint & other supplied stored in the community trailer in a cabinet in the back room)

  • 🏃🏽‍➡️ Group runs/workouts/hikes

  • 🎃 Holiday themed activities/crafts 

  • 🎲 Game nights (assortment of games onsite) 

  • 🪇 Musical instrument jam session 

  • 🚙 Field Trips - Here’s some fun stuff we love:

    • 29 Palms: Trivia night at Grnd Sqrl, Bowling, Pool, Drive-in Movie Theater  

    • Joshua Tree: Saturday Farmers Market, JT National Park, Hikes, Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum, Más o Menos

    • Pioneertown: Pappy and Harriets (bar & music venue), Red Dog Saloon

    • Desert Hot Springs: lots of hot springs out here; a favorite is Mi Kasa

Seasonal Events:

  • Seasonally, VLC will host an event at one of the locations within the network. The event will be promoted on the website & social media. VLC will take on the planning to make execution as plug-n-play as possible for you. For decorations and/or supplies, you’ll have a budget of ~$10 per camper. VLC will let you know at the start of your stint (or before) if there is an event taking place on-site and what the plan is.

Special Events:

  • If you’re interested in planning and marketing a special event during your stint, check out this page to learn more!

Communication:

  • Post your weekly event schedule on the Van Camp Message Board and on Discord so the community knows what to look forward to!

  • Visuals like the ones below are great and easy to make on Canva or Instagram. After you share them on Discord, we will post them on the VLC Instagram and Facebook, which helps boost our marketing efforts and your commission earnings!

THE CABIN

Flipping/prepping the onsite cabin is a way to earn bonus commission during your stint. After you finish flipping the cabin, we’ll venmo you the cleaning fee!

TASKS

  • Remove used sheets and duvet cover. Replace with fresh linens.

  • Take all used bedding and towels to the laundromat to wash, dry, and fold.

  • Sweep the floors.

  • Wipe down all surfaces.

  • Take out the trash.

  • Empty mini-fridge of any items left behind, and wipe it out.

Camphost Checkout Task List

Please show the next camphost around, especially if it’s their first time camphosting at jtree! Be sure to complete one final campground clean before leaving to ensure the space is ready for the next camphost.

  1. Bathrooms - deep clean (make sure to show the camphost how to change out the composting toilet if it’s their first time hosting at jtree!)

  2. Kitchen -  spray/wipe down stovetop, wipe counters, scrub sink, organize communal items, donate/throw away/or recycle items left behind by campers, empty the trash

  3. Shower - Take or toss any items left behind 

  4. Community Trailer - Tidy shelves, sweep floor, & wipe surfaces 

  5. Outdoor Communal Area - All games put away in bins, chairs folded and tucked away, space is organized & welcoming

  6. Recycling - ideally leave the bins empty 

⚠️ Check every space to make sure you don’t forget any of your belongings! Please don’t leave any items behind, whether they belong to you or campers that were here during your tenure. If it seems like trash, toss or recycle it. If an item has been unclaimed for a while, you’re welcome to take it or please toss/recycle/donate. Items pile up quickly at camp and VLC needs your help to keep piles at bay. Thank you! 

Additional Info & Notes 

Booking Extensions/Changes

If a camper wants to extend/modify their booking, they should reply to their booking confirmation email with desired changes.

Guest Passes

If campers ask about having a guest visit them, you can give them this link to pass along (the guest/visitor should be the one to complete the reservation) - https://vanlifecampgrounds.checkfront.com/reserve/?category_id=17

Notes on guest passes:

  • $10 per day

  • Email receipt does not provide the address, onsite link, or discord info (guest will get address from camper)

  • This is location agnostic, so you won't directly get a notification. But since you are initiating the process (camper asks you), you should be aware of when/where guests are onsite. info@ will be in the loop regarding guest pass bookings.

Membership Questions

If a camper asks about redeeming membership codes, finding their codes, etc. you can instruct them to contact info@vanlifecampgrounds.com

Best Locations for Supplies: 

*Don’t forget to get a receipt and email it to info@vanlifecampgrounds.com 

Mobil gas station

73777 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

  • Propane Fill

Tractor’s Supply Co. 

57980 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA 92284

  • Propane Fill

  • Saw dust (for compost toilet)

Walmart

  • Paper towels & Toilet Paper

  • Cleaning Supplies

  • Batteries

Rattlesnakes, Coyotes, Tarantulas… OH MY

  • Rattlesnakes show up on the property and in the surrounding area a few times per season (Sept-Nov & April).

  • Campers and hosts must wear shoes around the property for safety.

  • We have a Dogs-on-Leash policy in the Fall and Spring for their safety. 

  • On the property, you are most likely to encounter sidewinder, mojave and potentially speckled rattlesnakes.

  • We have snake tongs for removal but you are not required to do anything you are uncomfortable with.

  • Please gently remind campers about the presence of coyotes if they have little dogs or free-roam cats. Small animals are prey and it is not uncommon for coyotes to travel through our property.

  • Every campground will have animal encounters. Be knowledgeable and aware.

Plot Owners

The folks below own plots in the NW corner of the property and will not appear in Checkfront bookings. More info here.

Sara Smyer - Plot #1

  • Vehicles:

    • White Toyota FJ Cruiser: (SD) 1RC731

    • Blue Mercedes Sprinter: (SD) 1NV536

  • Pets: Cat - Laiyla

  • Phone: 307-996-8598

  • Discord: sara_renee

Rachael Amy - Plot #2

  • Vehicles:

    • Black Ford Maverick: (TX) WCT-1290

    • White/Tan Trailer: (TX) B69-2209

  • Pets: Dog - Wendy

  • Phone: 713-213-9807

  • Discord: rachaelplz

Justin Pool - Plot #3

  • Vehicles:

    • Gray Subaru Forester: (WA) BXJ7333

    • White/Tan Trailer: (CA) 4JV5411

  • Pets: n/a

  • Phone: 206-715-9782

  • Discord: jp_the_bald

Lynda Apple & Phil Smith - Plot #4

* End of Season Task List

Timing Varies - we will let you know if you’ll be the last host of the season

The main goal is to move everything out of the wind and sun. We want to leave trash cans and toilets empty so they don’t sit full all summer.

  1. Take down and fold all shade covers and store them in the blue storage container.

  2. Move all outdoor games to the blue storage container. 

  3. Fold all chairs and slide under the trailer (out of the sun) and put Adirondack chairs in the storage container. 

  4. Place propane tanks in the shade behind the tuff shed.

  5. Clean all items from fridges and unplug them. 

  6. Close all windows and curtains: trailer / rental cabin.

  7. Lock trailer doors so they don't blow open.

  8. Lock storage container, cabin and store - Hide Keys in lockbox and a VLC team member will communicate where to hide.