We found a job - right here at home!

Ron & Alice · 11-15-2009, 05:27 PM

Never say never, I guess.
We need a spot to park our tt next Spring, so I started phoning around. I was very surprised to find a workamping position about 20 mins from here, right in the middle of town. We will both work 12 hours/week in exchange for our site, but then any hours after that will be paid. AND, we also have 2 free tshirts (yahoo!), free propane, free electric, free guests, free firewood, and an allowance for laundry! I wonder what the downside of all this is???

DianeScraps · 04-06-2010, 10:47 PM

I was wondering how your work camping was going? I was telling my husband that this would be something I would really to do over the summer in the next couple of years.

Ron & Alice · 04-13-2010, 03:13 PM

Hi Diane,
sorry for the delay in replying, but we've been out enjoying the beaches...

We haven't started our workamping yet, because we'll only be home later this month. We are supposed to start May 3, which is rushing us to get home.

But already...we were supposed to get free propane, now they just took it out. We now have to pay $10 at Costco like we did before. And I was supposed to get every 2nd w/e off, now I work all Sat's & Sun's. So we are going to tread carefully, and see how it works out. The way I figure it, you have to really enjoy people (I do) and the RV lifestyle (I do) because the money and the hours worked don't mean too much. You will either enjoy it or not. Think of it as 'volunteering' and the money as 'pocket change'...

BTW, do you quilt? I just hit a quilt shop this afternoon and yikes! (as usual, lol).

Honda03842 · 04-13-2010, 03:34 PM

http://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm

Like all jobs, you never know until you start the job and see the lay of the land.

We have considered it. We were hiking up to the Gila Cliff Dwellins in NM and met a guide when we got there. (Amazingly they let you go thru the dwellings unescorted.

The guide was a workamper of sorts. He was retired and he and his wife had signed on for the winter season. In return they each got $10 an hour, he guided people up to the ruins (though you could go alone) and she worked in the visitors center. In addition they got their camping free, in a private campground including propane and electricity.

This NP is in a very rural but beautiful part of NM and I found it very enticing. We plan to return to this park this fall for another visit. I suspect that with all the parks their are many opportunities like this though I must say I don'tnow the process for applying.

I have noticed that state parks in Alaska seem to be looking for summer hosts as well.

Safe travels,

Honda03842 · 04-13-2010, 03:36 PM

http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/results.cfm?ID=1735

I probably should have included this link with more info on volunteering.

DianeScraps · 04-13-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron & Alice

BTW, do you quilt? I just hit a quilt shop this afternoon and yikes! (as usual, lol).

I don't quilt, I do scrapbook and sew some costume stuff. Going in any craft or fabric store can be VERY dangerous!

Ron & Alice · 04-14-2010, 02:54 PM

Diane, we just returned from the WalMart on 501 in Myrtle Beach, more fabric...

Norm - thanks for the link. Since Ron & I are already booked for this summer, we will contemplate heading beyond our comfort zone next summer.

mike71654 · 01-02-2013, 01:49 PM

Wow...this sounds like a great way to enjoy the summer and spend very little camping.

FayeW · 08-10-2017, 12:36 AM

Great Ron & Alice. I'm planning to start a mobile restaurant. Have no idea how it would be.