The Don’ts of Workamping at RV Parks
As you plan your RV adventures or consider becoming a full-time RVer, the thought of an income will probably cross your mind. You may want some extra spending money to use toward a travel hobby, or perhaps an income is part of your plan to sustain the lifestyle. Workamping is one solution to both needs.
Even seasonal RVers can benefit from the perks of workamping.
In this blog, we outline some of our “Don’ts for Workamping. If you are considering the combination of work and camping, you will first want to ask some questions.
What is Workamping Anyway?
The term “Workamping” was coined in 1987, and you can find a wealth of information on the website workamper.com. Workampers combine any part or full-time work with RVing.
Here’s our complete guide to workamping.
The jobs can be seasonal or year-round, are varied in opportunities, and across multiple industries. For example, some Workampers enjoy hosting in campgrounds from national parks to small private camps. Others like the fast-paced environment of Amazon Camperforce.
Although the opportunities are varied, they all have a few things in common. You should know the facts before committing. We are sure that you will agree that you do not want to drive across multiple states, or even the nation, for a job that is not precisely what you envisioned.
Don’t Commit If You Can’t Deliver
Once you know the facts and have researched reviews of a specific Workamping opportunity, spend some time thinking about the overall commitment. Thousands of RVers are looking for employment opportunities.
Don’t commit to a workamping job if you can not fulfill the full obligation. This includes both the time commitment and physical commitment.
Many Workamping jobs Include physical work. You may be asked to assist with landscaping in a campground or cleaning up sites. Or you may be asked to walk the campground several times a day or even hike trails on the property. And you will undoubtedly be on your feet and lifting as an Amazon Camperforce contractor. Be honest with yourself and pick a Workamping contract that fits your abilities.
Yes, There are Toilets to Clean (Don’t Be Scared)
Don’t be afraid to clean a toilet. You may miss out on a beautiful camp host experience if you are scared to clean a bathroom.
Imagine spending the Summer in the Colorado mountains or on the shore of Lake Superior in the UP or the beach in Florida all Winter. As an RVer, you can have that dream…but you may need to clean some toilets. Be sure to ask about your responsibilities as a camp host. Again, don’t take the contract if you can not fulfill the duties.
Toilets aren’t the only issue, here’s an article where workampers share their biggest pet peeves.
Don’t Sign Up for a Trade-Only Gig.
A full-hookup campsite in a beautiful location as a trade for only 20 hours a week sounds perfect. It always seems like a great win-win situation. RV chat rooms and sites are full of such offers. The same chat rooms are full of reviews, testimonials, and stories of the trade just not working.
Ask to be paid an hourly wage, even if you spend a reduced fee for your RV site. Why? You want to prevent “work creep.”
That’s when the beginning of the season starts with twenty hours a week and creeps into 25…40…and before long, you do not have a day off. You are exhausted, and the entire season slips away without a visit to a hiking trail or even that beach.
You run around and snap a few photos during your last days at the site, and then you drive on to your next gig. That is what happens when you become a victim of “work creep.”
Don’t Let Workamping Take Away from your Enjoyment of RV Life.
Everyone has a different reason to enjoy the RV lifestyle. Even those that need an income to sustain life on the road want to enjoy the journey. All workampers must find the balance.
Just don’t give up on finding the perfect balance to fit your RV Lifestyle…
If you want to save money on camping expenses, try free camping
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
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We love working for site only. The year we got a site and were paid, increased taxes wiped out the entire earnings. We have found that when we have been paid, more is expected and demanded of us then when we are clear on how many hours required and the duties for our site right up front.
We camphost for full hookups and no pay as we like to give back to state parks and non-profits. We did so in the FL Keys, Colorado, and at a lighthouse in Oregon. Our only requirements are 20 or fewer hours per week, we work the same hours, and no more than 2 month commitment.
We, personally like to volunteer. To each their own, though.
For me it’s DON’T period! Especially now with Covid!
As for volunteering, I used to be a general ranger in Yosemite and thought of volunteering in national parks in retirement. Then i discovered that now days they use volunteers to clean the toilets. When I was there it was maintenance rangers who did that. Sorry folks. While every job there is needs to be done, some are the sort where you definitely should be paid. For me that is cleaning public toilets.
We are currently Camp Hosts for a mostly private park. We work 5 days for six hours one week, then 2 days for six hours the next week. We man the office, water plants around the clubhouse, clean the Two; one seat bathroom/showers. We also maintain four corporate owned sights; cut grass and trim clubhouse and 4 lots. For that we get Electrical, water, sewer, and sight. We agreed to the full season. May 1st to Oct 1st. We actually don’t have enough to do. The virus is really taking a lot of the fun out of the park. Normally it is a busy park with a lot of activities.
By the way….. Hello Kyle and Olivia. Rick and Lynda here. Hope the family is well.