Workamping - RV-Dreams Community Forum

mailman01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Workamping

Howard · Host

Hi Marty,

Here is a portion of a Journal entry I did on this subject after attending a Life On Wheels class back in 2006.

We then went to Michael Coltrain's class on "Workampers & Federal Parks." Michael is a Ranger in the Corps Of Engineers district here, so he knows how the federal system of volunteers and contractors works.

In his hour and a half time slot, his goal was simply to show people how to use the internet to find volunteer and contractor positions.

The volunteer positions will get you a free campsite, but no pay.

So he started with the Corps Lakes Gateway. Under "Become a Volunteer" you can click on Corps Clearinghouse to locate Corps of Engineers positions. Or you can click on Volunteer.gov to locate all kinds of federal park opportunities.

Michael says there are not nearly enough volunteers to fill all the positions available. So there seems to be less competition for free campsites than I would have thought.

The second half of the class was geared to helping people find "paid" positions at Corps of Engineers sites. The paid positions are actually contract positions where you have to go through the government bidding process to make some decent money but at the price of having a pretty set schedule and the feeling of a "real job".

If interested in contracting, go to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Home Page and click on "How do I .... Contract With The Corps?

Having had a federal contract in our prior life, we cringed at the thought of going through that process. The sight of the "Request For Proposals" gave us both the heebie jeebies. :)

There is no way we would subject ourselves to being under contract with the federal government again. They overwhelm you with paperwork and contracts and everything is written in their favor.

Michael correctly pointed out that the contracts are for one year at a time with options for more years. However, the "options" are soley the government's options, not yours. If you sign a contract that has option years, you do not have the option of declining that second or third year. :)

Michael says that most Corps of Engineers sites need more contractor applicants, so the local Corps of Engineers folks at each park will help you with the bidding process. If that is true, that is the only way we would ever participate - it's just way too complicated to do it on your own.

So the good news is there are lots of contractor positions available. If you are inclined to try that out, definitely seek help from the local park administrators in making sure you don't waste your time (if you leave a box unchecked on your bid, it gets thrown out as a "non-qualifying" bid). They will consider only the lowest "qualifying" bids.

And the local folks can also help you find out what the winning bids were in prior years - that's public information. However, take this tip from Howard & Linda. Be sure to include in your bid enough "aggravation" dollars to deal with the government.

If you bid soley on the value of the work to be done, you will regret it. Getting a low-bid government contract can be lots worse than not getting one. You don't know exactly what you've gotten yourself into that first time until you are actually on the job - then it's too late. :)

Now it's a couple years later. And I still stand by the above based on my conversations with a few COE contractors in our travels. They tell me that the "per day pay" looks really good until you realize the supplies you have to provide and the amount of time you have committed. Several have sub-contracted some of their duties to others which reduces the financial benefit.

These contracts just "fit" some people and they re-up again and again. But be very careful. smile

mailman01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the information Howard, I suspected that if this were as good a deal as it appeared to be on the surface that they would be overwhelmed with applicants. It certainly looked appealing. One location I contacted indicated the work schedule was 24/7 with your only time off being only when you were not needed in the area. This was a 6 month contract. Thanks again. Marty

Donna162 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Although I had read Howard's entry on workamping before, this entry sparked some interest in workamping for the COE, especially since our house is not selling.....might be a way for us to go ahead and start full timing before the house sells. Although I'm not crazy about working again, I would consider it if it meant we could do some travelling while we work. I checked out the web sites and although I'm sure there will be "some" paperwork, I worked for the government for 34 years and think I could wade through it. What I'm interested in is hearing if any of the RV-Dreams family have workamped for the COE, where they worked, the "goods and bads" of their experience, and any other helpful information. Thanks.

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Marty,

Judy and I are in the same position in that we need to workamp to support our lifestyle. We don't have a house but I will not start collecting on my pensions until August of 2009. We've looked at the COE but agree with Howard - too many strings attached. We've opted for private campgrounds and only look at the ones that provide a full hook up site and pay for all hours worked. The hourly rate generally ranges from $7.00 to $9.00 per hour. We are going back to Lake George Escape this summer because we work in the Recreation Department doing the things that we like to do - i.e., I will be involved with water activities and Judy will be involved in Arts and Crafts. We have a three and a half month commitment and will work between 30 to 40 hours per week. That is a little more than we wanted to work but with this economy every dollar helps. If our stocks don't improve we may have to find a winter workamping assignment. It is a little more difficult to find winter assignments that provide a site and pay of every hour worked.

We are members of Workamper.com, post our resume on line, and use their listings to find workamping opportunities. Keep in mind that there are all kinds of different financial arrangements - first 10 hours each goes toward your site then you get paid for all hours over the first ten (20 per couple), paid for every hour worked and get a discounted site which means you pay for your site, and (the ones we look for) get a full hook up site and paid for all hours worked. Once we meet our commitment (work through Labor Day) we get a 50 cent bonus paid for all hours worked for the season. There are often other benefits like free laundry, discounts at the store, and discounted or free propane. We will make between $6500 and $7500 dollars for the season and have fun doing it.

Once my pensions kick in, we will then look for volunteer opportunities in the areas that we want to travel. We want to do several Habitat for Humanity Care-A-Vanner builds as well as volunteer at National and State Parks as well as COE parks. Plus there are lots of other volunteer opportunities that we'll find along the way.

Good luck on your endeavors and hopefully this has been helpful.

mailman01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Darrell & Judy, your workamping plans seem to be more attractive than most of those I saw with the COE, more lenient on commitment and a lot more opportunity to enjoy the work as well as time off to explore the surrounding area. I would not be looking at something with the intention of "making a killing," already retired from that, but something that would pay a few bills that would also be enjoyable and not last more than 2-3 months, unless I wished to extend it, would be perfect. You folks going to Branson? If so, maybe we'll see you there.

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would like to learn more about this workcamping thing. I have SS and a DAV pention but would like to offset the price of fuel if we could. I would not mind working 20 hours a week for a place to stay. Do you need a sign that says "Will work for FHU site"

Joe and Sherri

jdensie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Speedhitch wrote:

I would like to learn more about this workcamping thing. I have SS and a DAV pention but would like to offset the price of fuel if we could. I would not mind working 20 hours a week for a place to stay. Do you need a sign that says "Will work for FHU site"

Joe and Sherri

You don't need a sign but it would help.

In all honestly sign up for Workamper.com and they have jobe listed throughout North America. There is a section on there site that you can post your resume'. This past January they also held two job fairs along with a few seminars’ to help in getting started.

If you are signed up they also send out a daily hotline for jobs available at the time. A lot of times just being at a CG and talking to the owner might get you a job.

As a past owner of a CG I had workampers even though I didn't use Workamper.com

Good luck and happy hunting.

-- Edited by jdensie at 05:56, 2008-03-28

Donna162 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've found a lot of interesting prospects on www.coolworks.com. This past week we have also been more interested in workamping since our house hasn't sold. Working may allow us to go ahead and full time now and keep the house till the market improves.

ahoweth · RV-Dreams Family Member

For all those who desire to do campground hosting, be sure to read Howard's journal posts on some of their experiences at Arches. It appears to me that some days are pretty hectic and some days aren't. Also some people can be pretty difficult to work with. You are certain to not please all of the people all the time! It seems to be very rewarding work though and if you are able to work through the days that are hassles it appears to be a great deal of fun too.

JMO

Howard · Host

Speedy,

I just revised our Earning A Living On The Road page and there are links at the bottom to eight new pages related to workamping.

That should keep you busy a little while. biggrin

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Howard....I just read it and it is very informative! It is something we are giving a lot of thought to. this will be helpful.

Thanks

Joe and Sherri

jimdee · RV-Dreams Family Member

I received an email today from a friend of my sisters that is looking for workcampers in RV's. If you're available to work in Hannibal, Mo This week and next at a new Lowe's store with No construction, just putting merchandise on the shelves please contact Siong. We don't have an RV yet or we'd jump on it. This would be a great job and will lead to many more.

Please tell Siong that Denyse Walter sent you.

Her name is Siong and the phone number is 319-296-8081

Dee_NC

ljordan · RV-Dreams Community Member

New to the site and see this post is very old. Would like to spark some life back into it as my husband and I are wanting to go out on the road . He is retired with a very small pension I have another 20 years but I currently work as an LPN. Would like to know if anyone has any experience with a short term contract nursing while workamping. I am not out to make a fortune just see the US any suggestions to where I would start my search for a job and a volunteer position with site? Any pointers is greatly appreciated

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hopefully someone will pipe up......there are several nurses on our forum working on the road , good luck and yes its very doable!

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've met a few traveling nurses and they told me they contract thru some company to find the jobs and certifications/licenses needed for the job location. A google search should turn up something, and hopefully a forum member here will jump in with more info on how to get started.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lisa,

First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. There are a lot of knowledgeable folks here, so feel free to ask away. Oh, and there are no "dumb" questions except those that don't get asked and one then makes an expensive or time consuming mistake.

However, we usually recommend that one start a new thread instead of "reviving" an old one. In some cases, earlier information is no longer valid, and unless the readers look to see what date a comment was posted on, they may get the wrong impression that it is a current and up-to-date thread. That can lead to folks being misinformed as to what is current and what isn't.

Don't worry about this as we all have to learn how forums work at times. If you ever have a question that you would like to keep on the down-low, a private message to select individual is not out of the question. As one of the moderators here, feel free to send me private message if you think I can answer them for you.

Terry

Jo and Ben · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Lisa, welcome to the forum. My husband and I are both nurses and just started full-timing (a couple of months ago). Our plan is to do travel nurse contracts and travel around the country. What type of work have you done as a nurse? There are a multitude of travel nursing companies throughout the US. Am I understanding your post correctly that you are thinking of doing a combination of workamping for a site as well as contract nursing? That sounds like a lot of work! Feel free to PM me if you want to talk further :)
Jo

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jo and Ben wrote:
Hi Lisa, welcome to the forum. My husband and I are both nurses and just started full-timing (a couple of months ago). Our plan is to do travel nurse contracts and travel around the country. What type of work have you done as a nurse? There are a multitude of travel nursing companies throughout the US. Am I understanding your post correctly that you are thinking of doing a combination of workamping for a site as well as contract nursing? That sounds like a lot of work! Feel free to PM me if you want to talk further :)
Jo

Lisa,

Just in case that you may be new to forums, "PM" refers to "private message." To do that, one clicks on the username of the forum participant that one wants to send a message to and it brings up that participant's profile. At the bottom of the profile is an active link entitled, "Message." A click on that active link takes one to the messaging function where you put in a title for the message and then the message itself.

When logging in or noticing after log-in, if one has received a private message, there will be a message directly under one's own username and the words "Log Out" in the upper right hand corner. If one sees that message, it is an active link, so clicking on it will take one to the received message. If one wishes to reply, then there is an area below the received message where one can answer.

Anytime after that, if one clicks on "User Details" in the blue bar at the top, one can see what messages have been received in the past by clicking on "Messages" over at the lower left of one's profile. Remember to delete old messages because there is likely a limit of how many received messages and sent messages one can "accumulate."

Terry