tentative questions on workcamping - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Roll Me Away · RV-Dreams Family Member

tentative questions on workcamping

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just about any persons skill set can be matched to a workamping job somewhere. You just have to CAREFULLY interview the prospective job owner. Notice, I said YOU interview THEM. Many parks do want just couples, but there are plenty of singles positions avaialbel as well.

Perhaps the best way to advertise your avaialbility is with the Workamper Plus subsription which places your resume into a database that perspective employers can search (I think it is still WK Plus, but check - they tend to change things).

505ers · RV-Dreams Family Member

There are many jobs out there for for both singles and couples. We subscribe to workampernews.com and have received many offers. At coolworks.com you can find many jobs in National Parks. The concessionaires at National Parks prefer singles, since they do not have to match schedules with a spouse.

We are currently working for Forever Resorts at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and having a great time. Make no mistake it is a job and the hours are full-time, but what a cool place to work.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

http://www.workamper.com/ is by far the largest and arguably the most popular place for workampers to find work and share their resume. It is a membership site with annual dues around $40. They list jobs all over the country. I've worked a couple jobs where the park advertised for couples but when we arrived they had singles working for them, so I would not limit my search to employers who advertise for singles. If you find a job listing that interests you call the employer. From another thread, "It never hurts to ask".

Roll Me Away · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have a couple master's degrees (English, Science, maybe too much a nerd) and in tip-top shape, no health problems, it would seem the national park thing would be a good opportunity to explore and serve. Should I send out a to-the-point resume to national parks or state parks just off the cuff?
I might check out some of the other links you all offered and see what they have and what they suggest. It is I understand seasonal in Florida, but there are other really nice states, provided I can drive in the mountains. My last trip in NC with Bill driving, well, my fingernails must still be in the armrests! In all seriousness, I would love to travel between a couple parks during the season and even off season if possible. Could be wonderful ... or a nightmare, but I bet it will be interesting.
You workcamping adventures are to be envied! What spectacular memories you must have.
Thanks.

Ruck · RV-Dreams Community Member

You may also want to look at this sight, if you've not already done so or been informed. Tashana and I are also going to be looking into this sort of thing !!

http://www.work-for-rvers-and-campers.com/

TxYellowRose · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hiya ScottieGirl,

You might want to check out this link to NPS employment.

I encourage you to get a Workamper News Plus subscription, which is what we have.

There is a variety of other resources on the Web for jobs suitable for RVers and you might want to do a search for those types of sites.

So many jobs are available for so various kinds of qualifications! Perhaps widen your horizons a bit - workamping does not have to be in a campground. There are oodles of different types of work out there!

Good luck!

Cheers,

Betty

TXRVr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Many work camp to be able to afford the expense of traveling around and seeing more of the country. It is also a method to pick and choose one's seasonal climate. I'd suggest that one good reason for being a member of workamper.com, at least while you are exploring the idea, is that it will give you lots of info on what type jobs are out there and where else to look.

I have two college degrees and am working on a third. But I have rarely used any of them when work camping. First, I don't care to work camp in those areas of expertise and second there doesn't seem to be a need for higher learning when someone hands me a shovel. smile

Roll Me Away · RV-Dreams Family Member

TXRver, I did not post my university degrees to appear smarter or more important than anyone else, but it is a major facet of my life that makes me who I am, a searcher, questioner, explorer, acceptor of the philosophy that life is truly good, and everyone has strengths and weaknesses. I've slightly built, but I've fixed plumbing, nailed roofs, wielded a shovel, cleaned, hauled, much of what everyone else does. I've retired from ICU R.N. 30-some years ago, so I've learned the power of kindness and compassion. There are folks alive now because our whole ICU team stood the watch when they could not do so for themselves.
University was not for self-importance, but that's where the freaking books are, the literature that created histories, countries, people, the poetry of the world wars, the people's voices between rulers and presidents and how the heck cultures get into such messes and how they try to fix them. It's not for everyone, but I personally read and wrote until my eyes nearly fell out, will never regret the semesters spent or the people I met. Now, I'm just on another path, still reading, writing, but wanting to put my strengths to serve. I'd love to work camp, however if people are going to take issue with my education or physically skinny elderly self, maybe I better leave it out of the resume. I will see about the Workcamper news for sure. There should be something I can do.

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hmmm.... There must be something in the air. People seem to be taking offense where I'm pretty sure none was intended. Having been a reader of this forum for nearly a year, I can say that sometimes folks say things meant with a touch of humor that just doesn't come through in the written word.

Having college degrees is not likely to cause a problem with workkamping. Like all job interviews, having completed a degree shows you have a certain amount of "sticktoitnevess." (pardon the made up word from someone who used to work as an HR professional) However, as others have said, you will likely be able to find work opportunities that either use your degrees or don't have anything to do with them as you chose. Just depends on what you would like to do.

I'm currently engaged in my first workkamping opportunity. I'm working as the sales admin supporting campground sales. I also have a masters degree and have made a living as a consultant helping organizations improve sales and customer service. What I'm finding is that while I might have the background and experience to help them improve their operations, they aren't really interested and just want me to do the things they ask. That's okay. I'm just having to fight my natural inclination to help improve things! I think for my next gig I might look for something where my temptation to use my past knowledge and skills is not as strong.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stick-to-itiveness
Maybe just a slight misspelling, but it looks like a good word to me!

-- Edited by Bill Adams on Wednesday 25th of May 2011 03:44:21 PM

-- Edited by Bill Adams on Wednesday 25th of May 2011 03:45:26 PM

Roll Me Away · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi, CKerr. Nothing meant negatively from me. I'm just have to be honest about my real skills and what seems to be my "calling" in life. I suppose what one has a passion for isn't always marketable!

Been laughing at a memory of Tennessee, when I was sure I could chop my own wood for the old Buck stove. Hauled a log out and a bit of wood and lifted the axe over my head and the weight of it pulled me backwards into the icy February creek. It never occurred to me that since I'd never chopped wood before, maybe there was a technique to it.

I guess that's just part of it all, finding what one's calling is. Since I don't tow a car, I guess I would have to find something to do at a park or resort. I'm a terrible cook (the dogs do not beg at the table if that tells you anything), but I'm good with language and dogs. I have published my short stories about my Scotties and my standard poodle is in agility training, and that's great fun. Not sure I could do much with those skills, though. I'll have to think about this some more.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Much appreciated.

TXRVr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ckerr wrote:
Hmmm.... There must be something in the air. People seem to be taking offense where I'm pretty sure none was intended. Having been a reader of this forum for nearly a year, I can say that sometimes folks say things meant with a touch of humor that just doesn't come through in the written word.

Hmmm..indeed. You are a very wise person.

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

biggrin biggrin Ask ?'s, then ask some more, just like any new venture you would start out on. I have been doing the work camping thing on an off since 1995. Still learning.

The #1 suggestion I can make is don't try to get the owners of the campground to change the way they operate. They want to tell us what they need done.

Pieere

Roll Me Away · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi, Pieere. I've been asking questions, especially at a gathering over the weekend. Couldn't believe my good fortune, but met a nice couple whose son is an attorney. Introduced me to him, and found a couple of paralegal courses I took back in 2003 were valuable to writing, researching, all stuff I could do in my rig wherever I choose to park, thus, I am getting some work from the entire firm. It's still sort of tied to the computer, but at least with the money I can continue to do some traveling, camping.
I had actually hoped to find some workcamping out of doors, weed-whacking, trimming hedges, cleaning the pool, windows, whatever is asked of me, just to get away from the computer, but maybe it's not what is meant to be right now. At least I'm earning and learning as I go.
Thanks for all the very, very good ideas and links and advice. I have it and will use it as I go along.