5 Fun Volunteer Workamping Jobs with a Free RV Site

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
-Gandhi

The beauty of traveling is that you can take yourself anywhere. As full time RVers, we appreciate the fact that this lifestyle can take us to many places for many purposes. One aspect we have found about this nomadic way of life is that we can utilize it as a means to reach various locations to help others in some form or fashion.

There are countless ways RVers can volunteer to aide communities all across the country. These are just a handful of options, possibly keen to your interests, that you may want to consider. Plus, free RV living arrangements are attached.

Related Read: RV Opportunities: Ways to Volunteer and Spread Cheer

RV Care-A-Vanners - Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity stretches across the globe in over 70 countries including the United States and helps those in need of reliable, stable homes at affordable costs. As a nonprofit organization, Habitat for Humanity largely depends on its volunteers for physical labor, community outreach, leadership and guidance, donations, and clerical duties.

RVers have a special place with Habitat for Humanity, so special that this nomadic subculture is given its own name with the organization, RV Care-A-Vanners. As a first time volunteer, you can expect to work approximately two weeks, about 7 hours a day with breaks. Home construction and/or renovation varies at each site and may include framing, roofing, painting and any other specific interior or exterior finishing. RVers are not expected to have prior knowledge or experience with home building. Everything is reviewed or taught on site. There are a plethora of builds scheduled around the country that extend out an entire year.

RV sites with hookups are arranged in advance at a location nearby each build. Although there are locations that charge for your stay, they are typically at a drastically discounted daily rate. Some states like New Mexico, Montana, and Illinois offer free sites with all or partial hookups. (A dump station or honey wagon are provided for sites with partial hookups.)

Lighthouse Host

The best way to learn something is to teach it. As a lighthouse host, you will have ample opportunity to learn and share information not only about the structure and its history, but collect many tidbits and factoids about the surrounding area and culture. Aside from answering guest questions, tasks may include giving tours, manning the gift shop, and completing minimal housekeeping duties. Every lighthouse hosting/interpreter position is unique so volunteer duties vary.

It’s the lush landscape and vast bodies of water that remain constant and attract RVers from all corners of the country. As far as accommodations, every lighthouse establishment is different, but there are some that provide a complimentary RV pad with full hookups either onsite or at a nearby campground.

There are a number of lighthouse related programs available for RVers. They are not as easy to find and may involve extra online research and phone calls. State parks like Oregon State Park list available volunteer positions in an organized format. Aside from viewing coastal state parks one by one, interested parties can find a few host positions with national organizations.

Animal Caregiver

If you are an animal lover then volunteering at animal sanctuaries may be the purr-fect fit. Many times these shelters, farms, and retreats require extra hands and supplies to fulfill the needs of their ever growing population. This is where volunteers step in, contributing their time, talent, and hearts.

In exchange for an RV site with full hookups, volunteers will be asked to contribute a minimum number of work hours around the grounds. Tasks may encompass landscaping and worksite repairs, data entry, housekeeping, and most importantly animal care. Places like Safe Harbor Farm in North Carolina, Desert Haven Animal Refuge in New Mexico, and Windy Valley Llamas in Georgia are just a few sanctuaries that request RVers on a regular basis. Volunteers may stay as little as a month or as long as six.

Related Read: RV Travel with Pets

Passport in Time Participant

History buffs will love being a part of the PIT (Passport in Time) program. In an effort to preserve historical sites, structures, and artifacts for future generations, historians and archaeologists have partnered with national organizations like the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and State Parks.

Volunteers have the opportunity to work alongside professionals in excavation sites, restoration projects, land surveying, and research/analysis, to name a few. Again, just as with the previous volunteer endeavors mentioned, prior experience is not necessary. Just bring a willingness to work and thirst to learn. Know that your time and energy are helping to preserve history for others to appreciate.

Every project is unique in location and purpose. Whether it is a small hike to reach a remote location in a forest or at an abandoned structure in a city, assignments vary and can last a day to over two weeks. Many projects provide full hookups at no cost; however this does not apply to all.

Wildlife Steward

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service combines the concepts of conservation, community awareness, and outdoor adventure with their many volunteer programs. Those interested have a long list of volunteer opportunities to choose from including monitoring butterfly populations, preserving ecosystems by cleaning out invasive species, promoting conservation and environmental awareness through seminars and tours, raising fish at a hatchery, or conducting a variety of wildlife and land surveys.
In most cases, in exchange for services, RVers are compensated with a site at a nearby campground complete with electric, water, and sewer amenities. Locations span the country and are dependent upon the mission. Duties vary and can involve a range of physical agility or background experience. As with many RV volunteer endeavors, the length of stay can be a few weeks to several months.

These are just a handful of volunteer experiences available to RVers, including free living accommodations. What are other volunteer positions you have heard about or had the opportunity to work in? Please share these in the comments below.