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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Working & Volunteering On The Road -> Winter Workamping in Florida
Post Info TOPIC: Winter Workamping in Florida
jdensie


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Winter Workamping in Florida
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Just a word of caution.  At about this time last year we contracted for a job at Sun-N-Fun Resort in Sarasota, Fl. for the winter.   We were very happy that we landed a paying winter job in FL. but, we soon learned we were treated like low-life by the management.  We wish that someone would have warned us about this place.  We spent four miserable months there and the only reason that we stayed was for our fellow workampers.  We were in the Housekeeping Dept. that was run by a totally inept person.  We can go into a lot of stories about this person, but we will say one in that none of the workampers ever received any tips that were left by the guests.   We know for a fact the tips were left in the office and went into the manager’s pocket and that was as far as it went.  NONE of the workampers in the Housekeeping Department are returning.  We could on and on, if you want any more information you can contact us.

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rwarner22


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Sorry to hear of your experience but thanks of the heads up.  I am a believer that those type of people reap what they sow.  Meanwhile good for you by warning the rest of us and leaving it at that...

Randy and Pam

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Darrell and Judy


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We certainly understand your fulfilling your obligation for the sake of others, however, we did not retire from the daily grind to put up with that sort of treatment. Judy and I have seen it as well along the way and have done as you did - stick it out but I can gaurantee that we won't do it again. We will confront the managers and if they don't change their attitude we will hit the road. Thank you for posting your experience as we were thinking about workamping in Florida this winter.

For those interested in New York we would recommend Lake George Escape but DO NOT accept a position in Guest Services (Reservations) unless you enjoy high stress jobs. There are 650 sites/rentals and there can be up to 3,000 people in the park. They have a very antiquated computer system that makes the job even more frustrating. All in all, they treat the workampers with respect and pay for all hours worked on top of providing nice sites. We enjoy the Fun and Games Department where work is play but it is still a 35 to 40 hour Job. We need to work like this for one more year and then we can officially retire (that is, start collecting pensions). After that we will only want volunteer for site assignments such as camp hosting.

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Speedhitch


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Thanks for the heads up on this one. I guess we all can profit by looking closely into any assignment we might take. As Darell said don't put up with bad treatment...pack it in and report it to this forum and any other that you might be a part of. We all appriecate your word of warning

Joe and Sherri

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GrammyFran


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And let them know about the forum, the number of participants, and that you will be posting re: your experiences there. cry I have heard one manager say of a workcamping couple: "Oh, they'll stay--they need the money." No excuse for anything like that!

-- Edited by GrammyFran at 10:01, 2008-07-14

-- Edited by GrammyFran at 10:01, 2008-07-14

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GrammyFran
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GrammyFran


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How come I have two font sizes there, and editing doesn't fix it??? confusedconfusedconfused

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GrammyFran
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Sparky (Rat Terrier/Schnauzer mix) and Toby (Rat Terrier/Doxie mix), both rescues
bjoyce


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With workcamping you have two choices, work for money or work for a site.  If you work for a site the public parks seem to treat people the best and friends who have worked for their site in Florida State parks have been quite happy.  Some other friends workcamped at a private campground in the Keys and had a lousy experience and ended up leaving early.  Other friends have found that getting a seasonal paying job and staying at a local campground ended up working out better.  They were not living at their place of work and campgrounds do not seem to be the best employers.

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Happy Camper


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We have workkamped at Sun N Fun RV resort before.  Each time has ended with some bad experiences. cry  The first time started with the manager being fired in the dept that we worked.  Our new manager was very not a good manager.  Played the workers against each other.  Also told anyone what they thought that person wanted to hear.  Quite the liar.  Went back again few years later.  Same manager, same lying, but decided to go anyways, cause it is an awesome park, and most of the workers are great.  Customers are awesome.  But a new couple was there, that had been there previously.  Awful people.  Talked Sun N Fun down continously, even to vendors from outside.  Would go into units before anyone else and steal tips and what not.  Just an awful couple.  Told manager we wouldn't come back if they were and they are.  Believe manager and couple are in cohoots. 



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NorCal Dan


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WOW! Thanks for the heads up. If not a member you should consider joining Workamper Reviews and post about your experience.

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GiniaJ


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Wow, had thought of applying there, but sure will not. Just had our own less that positive experience in CO with a similar situation but loved the job...just not some of the management and issues...are there supposed to be politics involved in jobs when you get our ages, lol? Anyway, will NOT apply at SNF

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