4 Things to Consider When Choosing your Next Work Camping Job
09-26-2017
Author: in Henley's Happy Trails
Work camping goes hand-in-hand with the full-time RVing lifestyle. Travelers seek income or a new experience on the road with these full or part time, seasonal or year round, and hourly paid or volunteer positions. The job market with work camping varies and can include employment with campgrounds, amusement parks, rodeos, national or state parks, warehouses, and online businesses, to list a few.
There is really no shortage of job opportunities for RVers. It really all comes down to what you want in your work camping experience. Jobs can last anywhere from a few weeks to an entire year and longer so it’s crucial that you choose something enjoyable and worth your time. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your next gig.
Interest in Job Assignment
What type of job are you searching for on the road? Are you looking for positions that mirror previous work history or are you wanting to explore outside of the box? If you prefer the later, begin a list of skills you’d like to learn and jobs you’d prefer to try. Having skill sets and previous work experience essential to a work camping position are always a plus and often times place an applicant at the top of the pile, but it is not always necessary. Employers are also seeking eager employees that take action, show a desire to learn and grow, and are flexible. If you have decades of experience in child care but have always wanted to work on a ranch, give the new opportunity a try! Likewise, if performing familiar tasks is what you want to continue, go for it!
Compensation Package
Does compensation in the form of money and/or a full hookup site play a big role in your next job on the road or are you fine with volunteering your time for the sheer enjoyment of contributing to a cause? For us, work camping is our main source of income so compensation versus contribution is paramount in the decision process. We pay close attention to the duties and responsibilities assigned and what is offered to employees in return.
Work camping positions offer a slew of benefits, but these perks may not be considered fair exchange for the amount of time and effort dedicated to a given assignment. A campground, for example, may ask each camp host to contribute 30+ hours of labor in exchange for a site (including electricity). This may not seem like a fair trade especially if the rent comes out to $100 a week. That means, each employee is being paid less than $4 an hour, even less for couples! This is an extreme example, but something to really dissect. Your contributions are invaluable and there is nothing wrong with requesting a decent compensation to match.
Work Camper Reviews
It never hurts to get a second opinion! Besides performing a general search via Google for “work camper reviews” with a particular company, Gold Members of Workamper News, for instance, have access to several first hand experiences on the network’s forum. Although these are opinions, it doesn’t hurt to take a peek. Similar reports from previous employees can say volumes about a work site, good or not so hot.
Location
Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of finding a work camping opportunity is deciding upon the location. Whether you have a list of must see places or simply close your eyes and aim a dart to a map, the end result is uncharted territory or new experiences in revisited territory.
Our whole purpose for full-time RVing is to explore as many places in our nation as possible. It’s optimal to always tour new locations! That doesn’t happen all the time and sometimes we are drawn back to old stomping grounds for family or added perks (i.e., raises) with previous jobs. Regardless, we try to make the most out of these repeated visits with quality time to spare for family and friends or by trying new activities in the area.
Related Read: Top 4 Websites that Advertise Workamping Jobs
There is really no shortage of job opportunities for RVers. It really all comes down to what you want in your work camping experience. Jobs can last anywhere from a few weeks to an entire year and longer so it’s crucial that you choose something enjoyable and worth your time. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your next gig.
Interest in Job Assignment
What type of job are you searching for on the road? Are you looking for positions that mirror previous work history or are you wanting to explore outside of the box? If you prefer the later, begin a list of skills you’d like to learn and jobs you’d prefer to try. Having skill sets and previous work experience essential to a work camping position are always a plus and often times place an applicant at the top of the pile, but it is not always necessary. Employers are also seeking eager employees that take action, show a desire to learn and grow, and are flexible. If you have decades of experience in child care but have always wanted to work on a ranch, give the new opportunity a try! Likewise, if performing familiar tasks is what you want to continue, go for it!
Compensation Package
Does compensation in the form of money and/or a full hookup site play a big role in your next job on the road or are you fine with volunteering your time for the sheer enjoyment of contributing to a cause? For us, work camping is our main source of income so compensation versus contribution is paramount in the decision process. We pay close attention to the duties and responsibilities assigned and what is offered to employees in return.
Related Read: Can you Finance Your Full-time RVing Lifestyle with Work Camping Alone?
Work camping positions offer a slew of benefits, but these perks may not be considered fair exchange for the amount of time and effort dedicated to a given assignment. A campground, for example, may ask each camp host to contribute 30+ hours of labor in exchange for a site (including electricity). This may not seem like a fair trade especially if the rent comes out to $100 a week. That means, each employee is being paid less than $4 an hour, even less for couples! This is an extreme example, but something to really dissect. Your contributions are invaluable and there is nothing wrong with requesting a decent compensation to match.
Work Camper Reviews
It never hurts to get a second opinion! Besides performing a general search via Google for “work camper reviews” with a particular company, Gold Members of Workamper News, for instance, have access to several first hand experiences on the network’s forum. Although these are opinions, it doesn’t hurt to take a peek. Similar reports from previous employees can say volumes about a work site, good or not so hot.
Location
Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of finding a work camping opportunity is deciding upon the location. Whether you have a list of must see places or simply close your eyes and aim a dart to a map, the end result is uncharted territory or new experiences in revisited territory.
Our whole purpose for full-time RVing is to explore as many places in our nation as possible. It’s optimal to always tour new locations! That doesn’t happen all the time and sometimes we are drawn back to old stomping grounds for family or added perks (i.e., raises) with previous jobs. Regardless, we try to make the most out of these repeated visits with quality time to spare for family and friends or by trying new activities in the area.
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Author: Levi and Natalie Henley
