Workcamper

[IanC]

I joined workcamper out of curiosity a while back and after reviewing many jobs offered, I'm not sure I'd be a suitable candidate. Firstly, my rig wouldn't be accepted at most of the parks - so the rest is kind of moot anyway. However, not having AC, I couldn't leave Todd locked up in hot weather. Also, most seem to want couples, and  I don't need full hook-ups, so non-paying positions don't seem like much of a bargain and you'd be tied to one spot all summer without the financial incentive. 

I wouldn't mind a volunteer position but it would have to be someplace extraordinarily beautiful and something interesting to me (animal sanctuary would be perfect, or disaster relief) - and lastly a job where Todd could tag along or hang out while I worked.

Almost seems like my needs put me out of the market.

 

[Queen]

Apropos of nothing, everytime I see you mention Todd, in my head I hear Gilda Radner as Lisa Loopner saying "Taaddddd".  I crack myself up.  

 

[IanC]

Apropos of nothing, everytime I see you mention Todd, in my head I hear Gilda Radner as Lisa Loopner saying "Taaddddd".  I crack myself up.  

I know - Haha.  Actually he got his name for a friend of mines little son who has downs syndrome.  The first time he saw him he asked "Is that your tod?" I said "sure is" and the name stuck

 

[DannyB1954]

Don't forget about craigslist. dishwashing used to be a good part time job, (they usually feed you, and there would be lots of scraps for Todd, (or TOD, nice story). here is one in Sedona 10 bucks an hour. https://flagstaff.craigslist.org/fbh/6078243201.html Here is another one and it is inside of a wildlife park https://flagstaff.craigslist.org/fbh/6072734648.html
a vent fan might keep Todd comfortable depending on where you were. At a restaurant you could visit on breaks. That is how it started with my dog, then the staff wanted to visit with her and she became the shop dog.

 

[waldenbound]

After hearing of "couples only" and only "certain types of rigs" being accepted, I'm beginning to think the work camp world is a reflection of the corporate world. Meaning, there are so many people looking for jobs, employers can be picky. Geez, even a job scrubbing toilets at a campground is ultra competitive now?
Say it ain't so!

 

[IanC]

Don't forget about craigslist. dishwashing used to be a good part time job,

I know it sounds wrong to some people, but dishwashing was my first job at 17, and going back to that at 60 pretty much makes me cringe. A lifetime of experiences reduced to busboys, cooks and waitstaff yelling at me because the silverware is running low sort of drives home every failure in life. Is that an elitist attitude? I don't know.

Since, barring catastrophe, I could live several years this way on what I have in savings, I'd be happier doing a volunteer job that was fulfilling just to keep active.  Still keeping my fingers crossed that something will come of the 'demonstrating craftsman' positions at either Dollywood or Silver Dollar City in Branson for next season although there are some logistics involved - Dollywood offers an RV space so I'd really need to buy a travel trailer and Silver Dollar I'd need to rent a small house (which seem to be very cheap in Missouri).  For either I'd need to truck my shop equipment from Mass. Plenty to consider.

 

[Dgorila1]

I know it sounds wrong to some people, but dishwashing was my first job at 17, and going back to that at 60 pretty much makes me cringe. A lifetime of experiences reduced to busboys, cooks and waitstaff yelling at me because the silverware is running low sort of drives home every failure in life. Is that an elitist attitude? I don't know.

Since, barring catastrophe, I could live several years this way on what I have in savings, I'd be happier doing a volunteer job that was fulfilling just to keep active.  Still keeping my fingers crossed that something will come of the 'demonstrating craftsman' positions at either Dollywood or Silver Dollar City in Branson for next season although there are some logistics involved - Dollywood offers an RV space so I'd really need to buy a travel trailer and Silver Dollar I'd need to rent a small house (which seem to be very cheap in Missouri).  For either I'd need to truck my shop equipment from Mass. Plenty to consider.

What kind of crafts do you do?

 

[IanC]

What kind of crafts do you do?

I had a custom leather shop for many years - more recently high end briefcases,, bags, wallets, etc, but have done horse tack, motorcycle gear and gun leather

 

[highdesertranger]

don't get discouraged workcamp.com is only one site. if you are willing to work the more remote campgrounds for the Forest Service they don't care about your rig or if you are single. note these are at Forest Service campgrounds but you work for a private company. HooDoo is one I can think of off the top of my head there are others. hopefully Bob chimes in he has down it before in his van. highdesertranger

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Have you ever thought about selling leather goods at county fairs? or maybe even following the motorcycle circuit would be better....Sturgis, Daytona, etc. Might be a cool way to make a few bucks and see some parts of the country you'd never hear of otherwise. If you'd be interested in making knife sheaths, I know of a great knife group on facebook that you could def get some business from. All in all it's an excellent group of guys on there, not common with facebook groups at all.....the admin is Mike Stewart, the owner of Bark River Knives and he keeps all the bs off the page.

 

[Txjaybird]

There is a publication called Caretakers Gazette at least there was several years ago.  At that time there were positions offered with pay and others without.  There were some where just someone needed to be on the property and others that had more responsibility and the pay was also a varible.

If I was working or volunteering I'd chose a fish camp over a 4 star campground any day of the week.  I've spoken to some Rangers at Army Corps of Engineering sites here in AL and in FL.  It seems that ACE really need volunteers in several states & areas and from speaking to them I came away with the idea that rig type wasn't really a issue.  Also that some sites are more developed while others are more rural/rustic.  I still don't know when I'll be able to travel or how far I'll roam.  I'm considering seeing if I can volunteer nearby and come back home when I have days off.   This will give me a chance to learn what I truly need to live comfortably in the Aliner and Safari while maintaining a safety net.

Jewellann

 

[caretaker]

ERLH, if you want to set up a table you need to have up front cash to rent a space, and at some fairs they get a cut of sales, at least thats the way it worked at the carney i traveled with

 

[OutdoorFT]

I accidently bought a year subscription (really 18months due to deal). Some look okay, not for people who want isolation. Seems like campgrounds. I personally wouldnt waste my time with a place that judges a rig. Thats like an employer not hiring you because of how your s&b looks. Its ridiculous.

Like you said, irs kinda like corporate world, which I want FAR away from.

 

[SoulRaven]

Have you looked at "Workers On Wheels": http://www.work-for-rvers-and-campers.com/job-listings-for-RVers.html
WorkamperNews isn't worth the effort, I've watched it over the years. The number of jobs compared to subscribers looking for jobs, think winning the lottery!

 

[Txjaybird]

If I was working or volunteering I'd chose a fish camp over a 4 star campground any day of the week.  I've spoken to some Rangers at Army Corps of Engineering sites here in AL and in FL.  It seems that ACE really need volunteers in several states & areas and from speaking to them I came away with the idea that rig type wasn't really a issue.  Also that some sites are more developed while others are more rural/rustic.  I still don't know when I'll be able to travel or how far I'll roam.  I'm considering seeing if I can volunteer nearby and come back home when I have days off.   This will give me a chance to learn what I truly need to live comfortably in the Aliner and Safari while maintaining a safety net.

Jewellann

My favorite ACE site is Bardwell Lake just outside Ennis TX which is about 35 miles south of Dallas on I 45.  Palmer TX is at the 258 mile marker and Ennis is just south of there. I haven't been there since 2005.  For years there was and maybe still is a lighted enclosed/screened fishing barge open 24hrs.   There are several areas to camp and also a swimming area.

I'm homesick

Jewellann

 

[rvpopeye]

I've been a workamper for almost 15 years and a Workamper News subscriber for a few years before starting. I don't find something in every issue but some are a good fit , Apply everywhere that even sounds like you might enjoy it and rules are sometimes bent for the right person.

Ask lots of questions to get the full story...

There are jobs that will fit your situation just fewer. Just about every place has a different deal.
Keep looking and they'll turn up.

Ask lots of questions to get the full story...

Check out Bob's info on campground hosting , he did it and was pretty happy with it . Living in a van and with Homer too I believe.
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Ask lots of questions to get the full story...

Don't give up.

 

[DannyB1954]

Also google house sitter. There are a number of different websites that try to put together people who need their property to be watched, (and maybe pets cared for), while they are gone, with those who can be trusted to do so.

 

[IanC]

Also google house sitter. There are a number of different websites that try to put together people who need their property to be watched, (and maybe pets cared for), while they are gone, with those who can be trusted to do so.

I heard one like that advertised on a call-in show in one of the towns I passed through in Texas. The guy had horses and dogs - sounded great, even a free apatment, but in a pretty barren area, also one in Las Vegas just to be a presence on the property, but Vegas is a tad hot.  I'll keep looking though -could be a good situation.

 

[SoulRaven]

Also, keep an eye on CoolWorks: https://www.coolworks.com/jobs-by/category

 

[VanGrrl57]

Don't give up, Ian. I'm single and I got a job through Workamper. I report for work at 8 am on April 17, 2017 at Yellowstone. I will be working in one of their stores until November 6th. I know that's a long season but it works for me. I would have left out earlier but my daughter had to have surgery and I wanted to be there for her. She's fine now. Therefore, I'm leaving tomorrow after Easter Mass. It's about a 14-15  hour drive. I wanted to stay in my van but I was told that because my van was not a "traditional" RV, I could not stay in the employee RV park. Whatever. I was told that I could stay in the employee dorm so I'm okay with that. Since there's not a curfew, if I can't stand it, I will just go stay in my van.

I will say that I also thought that most of the jobs are for couples with traditional RVs and I still tend to think that; however, there are jobs out there for singles. It just takes some digging around and calling to find out. In fact, I was surprised that I got called by Delaware North about working in one of the stores at Yellowstone, but they seemed interested in me and the rest is history so off I go! Also, the other sites mentioned by people here are also good to check out.

Good luck and don't give up.

VanGrrl57