Workamping Tips
April 25, 2018
5 tips on workamping
The term “Workamper” was trademarked by president of workamper news Steve Anderson in 1987. Workamping is when individuals live in an RV and do some form of work.
Many workamping opportunities out there are work in trade for a campsite. So you’re getting the value of the campsite and often other perks like WiFi, propane, and laundry, but you’re not receiving a paycheck. Sometimes, the employer will provide you a campsite as well as an hourly wage, and that wage can run from minimum wage up to $12 an hour. The majority of the operations that utilize workampers are campgrounds, but there's really quite an assortment of opportunities - from amusement parks, retail shops, fulfillment centers, restaurants, lodges, water parks, state and county parks, Forest and Fish & Wildlife service, Christmas tree stands, blueberry farms, campground map ad sales, and more. You may be thinking, “So, if I was to find a job working at Walmart and I was living in my RV, would I be a workamper?” Yes, you would be!
Why would anyone want to be a workamper?
Freedom of Place - being able to go wherever you want and stay as long as you want because of your workamper income and perks. It takes months to fully explore places like Yellowstone Park, yet due to the high cost of living and campground stay limits, the average visit lasts only a few days. workampers who spend the entire summer in Yellowstone leave knowing the park as well as the locals! Freedom of Place also means warm winters, cool summers, time with the kids or grandkids, time away from the kids and grandkids and a million other enticing benefits!
Like any working environment, workamping has unique challenges. From annoying bosses to disgruntled employees and hazardous situations. Sweating for your next meal feels great if you’re doing it with open eyes, knowing what you’re getting into and also what is the way out. These following tips will help you find a workamping opportunity, enjoy it, and come out the other side safe, sound, and content.
1.
Keep an open mind. Workamping may take different shapes and sizes. Don’t restrict yourself to one kind of work or one kind of employer. If it can pay for your stay at your favorite spot and get you to work in exchange for campsite, perks, or hard cash, it might be worth it.
2.
Communicate with management early and often. If a workamper is causing problems, step up. Don’t wait for the bad apple to quit, it may never happen. Let management know what’s simmering (they may not even be aware of it). Don’t sound like a tattle-tale, but carefully express your concerns and make sure they understand the situation.
3.
Give an ultimatum. If nothing changes after a reasonable period of time and you know for sure that you are not the problem, it’s time to be blunt with management. Make it clear to them that unless change happens quickly they will lose the better workamper.
4.
Be prepared to get out. No workamping job is worth the stress or getting hurt over. If your gut feeling says that the bad employee could go rogue, get out, yesterday. Don’t worry about your job. Workamping jobs are plentiful any time of year.
5.
Protect yourself. Let your partner and/or friends know where you are. Wear a personal emergency response system that can alert the authorities or send for help in case something bad happens. When you feel protected, you are actually more likely to remain confident and be able to get out of situations quicker.
Many workamping opportunities out there are work in trade for a campsite. So you’re getting the value of the campsite and often other perks like WiFi, propane, and laundry, but you’re not receiving a paycheck. Sometimes, the employer will provide you a campsite as well as an hourly wage, and that wage can run from minimum wage up to $12 an hour. The majority of the operations that utilize workampers are campgrounds, but there’s really quite an assortment of opportunities – from amusement parks, retail shops, fulfillment centers, restaurants, lodges, water parks, state and county parks, Forest and Fish & Wildlife service, Christmas tree stands, blueberry farms, campground map ad sales, and more. You may be thinking, “So, if I was to find a job working at Walmart and I was living in my RV, would I be a workamper?” Yes, you would be!
Why would anyone want to be a workamper?
Freedom of Place – being able to go wherever you want and stay as long as you want because of your workamper income and perks. It takes months to fully explore places like Yellowstone Park, yet due to the high cost of living and campground stay limits, the average visit lasts only a few days. workampers who spend the entire summer in Yellowstone leave knowing the park as well as the locals! Freedom of Place also means warm winters, cool summers, time with the kids or grandkids, time away from the kids and grandkids and a million other enticing benefits!
Like any working environment, workamping has unique challenges. From annoying bosses to disgruntled employees and hazardous situations. Sweating for your next meal feels great if you’re doing it with open eyes, knowing what you’re getting into and also what is the way out. These following tips will help you find a workamping opportunity, enjoy it, and come out the other side safe, sound, and content.
