We are workampers, in our 1st job.  I do know quite a bit on the subject, as I owned a CG for 13 years.  When you are hired on by a CG they would like a commitment for the season, so that they only have to train one workamper per year. 

We took a job in the New England area for the season and we have three days off during the week.  We have taken several two-night trips during the year to explore the area.  Our home is a 40ft MH but we camp in a tent.
 
Next year we would like to get out west and do more traveling.  Just as Froggi mentioned we are going to try to do shorter jobs in the 6 - 8 week realm. 

We hope that you belong to Workamper to get their magazine and than you would also get a daily hotline to see where jobs become available.  If you are in that area you could probably apply in person.
 

Good luck in your new life style, we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. There is never a bad day at a CG.  May our paths meet someday. 

-- Edited by jdensie at 18:01, 2007-09-20

-- Edited by jdensie at 18:02, 2007-09-20

Hey Mike & Gerri!

You'll find shorter commitments if you are "volunteering" at state and federal campgrounds/parks.  One, two, and three month stints are available at a lot of those places.  Of course, you won't receive a wage but the free campsite, shorter hours of work, and other perks may well be worth it.

Private campgrounds and employers that need seasonal help obviously don't want to hire or train any more people than necessary.  And that's especially true if they are paying wages and have to do all the govermental paperwork and tax withholdings for employees.  So it's understandable if they want four, five, or six month commitments.

But, as Fred said, you can always ask if they will take someone for three months or less.  Never hurts to ask.  But just be aware that the employer may beg, plead, and guilt you into staying longer after they see the wonderful job you do. 

Mike and Gerri,

Four to six months is generally what most private campgrounds are looking for but you can ask for less and sometimes they are willing to go along with that.  We workamped at Nashville KOA last winter and they were looking for a six month commitment but were willing to take less (or more, they would have been happy to have us stay a year).  We just finished with Lake George Escape in New York and they look for a mid May to Mid June start to Labor Day commitment.  Most of the seasonal campgrounds like to have at least a Memorial Day to Labor Day commitment.

I agree with Howard about State and Federal Parks.  After workamping for a site and hourly wage we feel that they expect a lot - 35 to 40 hours a week.  Also, when money changes hands it becomes a J-O-B no matter how you slice it.  We would rather work three days (16 to 20 hours) for our site so we can have some time for biking, hiking, sightseeing, etc.  I agree with what you said, if I have to work that much then I should have stayed at my old job making a whole lot more money.

Darrell