City secures volunteer campground host after prior season without a host; responsibilities include guest relations and after-hours coverage

City staff told the Dell Rapids City Council they secured a volunteer campground host for the summer season after the council approved a host program in January 2024.

Staff said the campground has been expanded and now includes premium and standard sites, a comfort station and online reservations, increasing operational complexity. The volunteer host — a couple — will stay at the campground from June 2 through early August (staff referred to an August 1 target) and will provide guest relations, light maintenance, after-hours and weekend support, and a visible presence. The host will display a “campground host” sign and have a city-issued campground cell phone for summer use; staff will give the hosts limited back-end website access to view reservations but not change them.

Staff noted the program is modeled after the South Dakota State Parks volunteer host system. The host will be allowed to stay in the campground as part of the volunteer arrangement at no charge; there is no formal contract. Staff said they will accept shorter-term hosts (for example, a month) if necessary and will work to recruit hosts for late summer and September. If a host fails to perform duties, staff indicated the city would require payment for the site and, if necessary, involve law enforcement.

Why it matters: Having an on-site host increases responsiveness to campers and reduces after-hours issues; staff said they hope the program will become more robust and that council members should notify staff about potential volunteers. Council asked about contingency plans for August and September; staff said no formal contingency exists but the city could revert to prior coverage or consider staff coverage if needed.