Everything You Wanted to Know About Workamping and More

About five years ago a friend I worked with was hitting hard times. Her husband had lost his job and she was working two jobs to make ends meet. Like most couples in their forties, they had a mortgage and car payments just to name a few liabilities. Things were looking bleak and then the news that she was also being laid off hit. What were they going to do?

At this point…a new word entered my vocabulary…Workamper.

What is a Workamper?

A workamper is an individual or couple who can combine any kind of part-time or full-time work in a variety of fields while RV camping making your RV or 5^Th wheel your home.

My friends decided to try this lifestyle since they both lost their jobs and their home. A prior employee was already a workamper with her husband and gave all the information she had to this couple

Within a few months they were at their new home and job.

Their first home and place of employment was in California at a Rod and Gun Club. She worked in the office and he worked as the grounds keeper. They only worked 15 to 20 hours a week and made low wages. Not happy campers…..but everything was free. Free hook-ups for their RV, free cable TV, Internet and free propane, just to name a few good things.

What is the Length of Commitment and Other Facts:

• Most employers want a three month commitment to work on-site. The preference goes to those who can work a full season. A season depends on the location and the weather generally dictates “peak” seasons when the most help is needed.
• The busiest times are between Memorial Day & Labor Day when school is out and the warmest time of the year.
• Summer seasons run May through September and the Winter months usually run November through April and this all depends of course on where you are.
• Generally, work is between three and seven months for a paid work- camping position. However, some jobs rely on Christmas or other holiday sales period with short-terms, maybe a month or six weeks schedules.
• You can find some jobs with benefits with supervisory or management responsibilities if you are willing to work full seasons.

Hours Per Week Requirements:

• Your hours work depends on whether or not it’s the peak season, the work environment can be fast-paced or laid-back this depends on the attitude of the employer regarding workampers.
• The typical requirement would be 15 to 20 hours per week. Usually the pay is $7 to $8 dollars per hour, but remember some sites offer free campsites along with other freebies.
• If you don’t have other expenses, this could be a decent wage.

I have learned that most States have campsites work available for workampers throughout the United States including these other possibilities. All kinds of campgrounds & RV Parks both commercial and government, Theme Parks, Dude Ranches, Outdoor Outfitters, Lodges, Cabins, and Motor sports, just to name a few.

Some Warning Signs to Look for if you want to Workamp:

• The campground does not check proof of citizenship, identification or other work eligibility as required.
• If the campground doesn't have you fill out a W4
• If the manager is desperate for workampers
• If prior to arriving on the job, you didn't receive all the paperwork.
• Never barter for a workamp job.
• Make sure the park provides clear job descriptions in writing.
• Don’t travel hundreds of miles and spend a lot of money unless you know what the job entails.

My friends are going on 4 years of workamp. Some jobs didn't work out and they only stayed for two weeks and moved on. Where other jobs were by the ocean and they loved that. They will in a few months take on full time jobs back at the Rod and Gun Club to become managers for a year. For them, it’s a way to earn more money and they will get benefits along with all the other freebies.

Some people stay for long periods of time at one workplace while others love to travel and make some extra cash while they are on the road. Others are finding this a new way to support themselves when times are bad.

Although, this may not be something that interests everyone, it certainly was and has been a life-saver for my friends who are making this work for them.　

Happy Workamping!!!!