THE FRIENDS OF BRUCE DISTRICT PARKS ASSOCIATION
PO BOX 66, TOBERMORY, ON N0H 2R0
Email: hostprograminfo@gmail.com

HOST PROGRAM DESCRIPTION - 2022

Thank you for your interest in the Flowerpot Island Host Program! Hosts are representatives of Parks Canada and The Friends and are on a working vacation, not a cottage rental. Hosts take care of the day-to-day duties which include greeting visitors, managing the store (**currently operating as a takeout window ), waving at the tour boats as they pass by, answering questions and providing general information. Jobs to be done daily consist of cleaning the museum, store, lawns and gardens. Each evening after closing the take out window the shelves need to be restocked, the inventory balanced with the sales and money deposited into the safe.

During your stay, the museum take out window should be open and ready for visitors from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. At least 2 hosts must be available on-site during these hours and the expectation is that hosts will be visible, available, cheerful and welcoming!
**Please note that the Museum building was closed to visitors for the 2021 season. At this time, it remains unclear what the Museum status will be for 2022.  If it remains closed, under no circumstances will visitors be allowed inside the museum, other than hosts that are running the takeout window.

Hosts stay in a three-bedroom bungalow (built-in 1959). There are three bedrooms, two with double beds and one with two single beds. The kitchen has a solar refrigerator, a propane stove/oven, dishes and cutlery. There is an outdoor cookhouse with a propane stove, a solar oven and propane BBQ. (Propane provided). Basics such as toilet paper, garbage bags, dish soap and cleaning products are supplied. Hosts must bring food, sheets, pillowcases (or sleeping bags) and towels **Note: no towels or bedding (except pillows) were provided in 2021 as per GBHU guidelines. These guidelines may change to reflect the current guidelines when the Host Program opens in 2022.
Well behaved dogs are welcome but must be on a leash and please bring covers for the sofas to control pet hair.

For 2022, a supply of masks, gloves and hand sanitizer will be available for hosts at the light station, but please bring your own so our supplies do get depleted.

The bungalow is maintained and cleaned throughout the summer ONLY by you, the hosts. Departing hosts please leave the home as clean, or cleaner, than you found it. **Please follow posted GBHU cleaning protocols that must be followed when you arrive at the Host House and before you leave at the end of your stay.

Hosts are responsible for their OWN boat fare and take a boat from Tobermory to Flowerpot Island (approx. 15 minutes). Luggage and supplies must be carried from where the tour boat docks to the Light Station. Depending on the weather/winds, the tour boat docks at either Beachy Cove or the Marl Bed. From Beachy Cove it is a 25-minute walk and from the Marl Bed Trail, it is approximately a 45-minute walk. The trail can be rough in some places with several up-hill sections and all supplies and luggage must be hand-carried in and out by YOU so limit what you bring!

On the day your stay begins it is important that you arrive aboard the first boat from Tobermory. On the day of your departure, plan on not leaving before the second or third boat.
Hosts must be flexible, as tour boats may cancel trips or whole days depending on the weather and winds. This may delay or prolong your stay on the island, i.e., you may not get out to the island on the day you planned and/or you may not get back from the island on the day you planned. Otherwise, hosts must go out to the island on their stated start date and leave the island on the date of your stated departure. Do not assume that because you think it is windy that the boats won't be running. You must be packed up and ready to leave on your assigned date, unless you have CONFIRMED that BOTH tour boat companies have canceled ALL of their scheduled boat trips for that day. The incoming hosts expect that the Host House is ready and available upon their arrival. There are no refunds of host fees unless tour boats do not operate on all the days of your booked host stay. All people of a Host Group must be members of The Friends of Bruce District Parks Association. Membership dues are non-refundable.
**At this time - the number of people in each host group will be limited to 6. All hosts are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated before hosting and a completed COVID Screening Tool may be required to be submitted by each member of the group 24hrs. before arriving at the light station to host. COVID requirements for 2022 season may be subject to change depending on Parks Canada and Grey Bruce Health Unit guidelines, closer to opening the program.


Checklist before applying to be a volunteer host:

*To be eligible to apply to be a volunteer host, each family or individual must be a member in good standing of The Friends of Bruce District Parks Association.
*Are you & all your group members of The Friends of Bruce District Parks Association?
*Can your group carry all items & food needed for a 3 day stay from the dock to the Light station?
*If need be, is your group prepared to cook outside in the Cookhouse? *Can you live without electricity using solar-charged lights or flashlights?
*Can your group manage with no cell phone coverage or internet? (cell phone coverage at Beachy Cove)
*Are you prepared for the possibility of cold days and nights with no heat in the houses?
*Are you flexible should the weather cause the tour boats do not operate, either delaying or prolonging your stay on the island?
*Can your group welcome a large number of visitors throughout the day, (can be hundreds at busy times), manage the take away window* from 10:00 to 5:00, and answer any questions all with a smile on your face?
*We suggest you visit Flowerpot Island before applying to the Host Program!



                                                                       PROGRAM BASICS - 2022

• MAXIMUM 6 people.

• For safety concerns children under the age of six may not stay overnight at the Light Station.

• Each family and/or individual must already be a member of The Friends of the Bruce District Parks Association ($25.00 per family or $15.00 per individual).

• A three-night stay for up to 4 people costs   $200.00       Total inc. HST = $ 260.00              

• There is a $ 20.00 charge for each extra person.        Total inc. HST = $22.60
   
                         
To apply, please scroll to the bottom of this page, click next, to go to next section and fill out the 2022 Host Application below. Please indicate your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of dates to Host.  Please note, you may not get your preferred dates as the program is designed to provide full, onsite Host coverage for the entire season, while accommodating as many interested host groups as possible.
Successful Applicants will be contacted by email mid to late April 2022. Host fees are due upon acceptance as Hosts and you will be sent an invoice at that time.

Thank you for your interest in being a Flowerpot Island Volunteer Lighthouse Keeper !

                                                                                                                 

Host Program email: hostprograminfo@gmail.com 

For Friends inquiries other than Host Program, please email: infoatcastlebluff@gmail.com

Check out our website www.friendsofthebruce.ca 

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