Could those of you that have workamped give us an average length of time that you were asked to commit? We only have experience with hosting in a state park where you pretty much sign up for the amount of time you want to stay (depending on availability). A lady called us yesterday from a private campground (Jellystone in Nashville) and implied that the usual committment at most campgrounds was 6 months. Isn't that a little too long? If I wanted to stay put and work I would have stayed in the classroom and made lots more money. We want to workamp but I am not sure I want to commit to 6 months. Is that the norm? We have done 4 months at the state park and that is about right for me, I want to move on. Looking forward to hearing your experiences with this.
Froggi said
12:06 PM Sep 20, 2007
I haven't workamped yet but have belonged to workampernews.com for about 18 months. Most of the "seasonal" positions do seem to be a 5-6 month committment. Originally I thought I would be workamping half the year but now I think I will wait till mid-season and look for last minute openings (someone left, etc). Like you, I don't want to be tied up in one location for 5-6 months. Part of the fun in this lifestyle is the travel and flexibility!
jdensie said
05:00 PM Sep 20, 2007
We are workampers, in our 1st job. I do know quite a bit on the subject, as I owned a CG for 13 years. When you are hired on by a CG they would like a commitment for the season, so that they only have to train one workamper per year.
We took a job in the New England area for the season and we have three days off during the week. We have taken several two-night trips during the year to explore the area. Our home is a 40ft MH but we camp in a tent.
Next year we would like to get out west and do more traveling. Just as Froggi mentioned we are going to try to do shorter jobs in the 6 - 8 week realm.
We hope that you belong to Workamper to get their magazine and than you would also get a daily hotline to see where jobs become available. If you are in that area you could probably apply in person.
Good luck in your new life style, we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.There is never a bad day at a CG.May our paths meet someday.
-- Edited by jdensie at 18:01, 2007-09-20
-- Edited by jdensie at 18:02, 2007-09-20
Luvglass said
05:52 PM Sep 20, 2007
We haven't work camped yet, but have been following Workamper News for a year now, and the commitments vary all over the place.
Business owners will always suggest what's easiest for them, but will take what's available if there's nobody to check people in, mow the lawns or clean the rest rooms.
You should tell them the length of time you are willing to stay and let them decide if they want you or not. As you get experience you will be more desirable since you need less training and can be productive for them sooner.
Good luck,
Fred
Howard said
09:01 AM Sep 21, 2007
Hey Mike & Gerri!
You'll find shorter commitments if you are "volunteering" at state and federal campgrounds/parks. One, two, and three month stints are available at a lot of those places. Of course, you won't receive a wage but the free campsite, shorter hours of work, and other perks may well be worth it.
Private campgrounds and employers that need seasonal help obviously don't want to hire or train any more people than necessary. And that's especially true if they are paying wages and have to do all the govermental paperwork and tax withholdings for employees. So it's understandable if they want four, five, or six month commitments.
But, as Fred said, you can always ask if they will take someone for three months or less. Never hurts to ask. But just be aware that the employer may beg, plead, and guilt you into staying longer after they see the wonderful job you do.
Froggi said
02:07 PM Sep 21, 2007
I just entered my information at Work@KOA and they ask what term length you are interested in. I chose "Short-Term (1-3 months)" - it was nice to see that offered!
-- Edited by Froggi at 15:08, 2007-09-21
Darrell and Judy said
05:57 PM Sep 21, 2007
Mike and Gerri,
Four to six months is generally what most private campgrounds are looking for but you can ask for less and sometimes they are willing to go along with that. We workamped at Nashville KOA last winter and they were looking for a six month commitment but were willing to take less (or more, they would have been happy to have us stay a year). We just finished with Lake George Escape in New York and they look for a mid May to Mid June start to Labor Day commitment. Most of the seasonal campgrounds like to have at least a Memorial Day to Labor Day commitment.
I agree with Howard about State and Federal Parks. After workamping for a site and hourly wage we feel that they expect a lot - 35 to 40 hours a week. Also, when money changes hands it becomes a J-O-B no matter how you slice it. We would rather work three days (16 to 20 hours) for our site so we can have some time for biking, hiking, sightseeing, etc. I agree with what you said, if I have to work that much then I should have stayed at my old job making a whole lot more money.
Darrell
hogans1947 said
11:39 AM Sep 22, 2007
We are on our way back to So. Ca. to start our 3rd camp hosting "job" Oct. 1st. The first one was 3 months the second 2 months and the third will be 3 months. We have found that we definately do not want to commit to any more than 3 months at a time. By then we are ready to leave and see new sites. We really enjoy it and the ideal for us would be to camp host 3 months, travel 3 months, then keep repeating that schedule. We have family all over the US so we like to visit them but kids and 3 grandsons are in So. Ca. so we spend most of our time there. Oh, the decisions we have to make as fulltimers !!!!!!!
We took a job in the New England area for the season and we have three days off during the week. We have taken several two-night trips during the year to explore the area. Our home is a 40ft MH but we camp in a tent.
Next year we would like to get out west and do more traveling. Just as Froggi mentioned we are going to try to do shorter jobs in the 6 - 8 week realm.
We hope that you belong to Workamper to get their magazine and than you would also get a daily hotline to see where jobs become available. If you are in that area you could probably apply in person.
Good luck in your new life style, we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
There is never a bad day at a CG. May our paths meet someday. 
-- Edited by jdensie at 18:01, 2007-09-20
-- Edited by jdensie at 18:02, 2007-09-20
You'll find shorter commitments if you are "volunteering" at state and federal campgrounds/parks. One, two, and three month stints are available at a lot of those places. Of course, you won't receive a wage but the free campsite, shorter hours of work, and other perks may well be worth it.
Private campgrounds and employers that need seasonal help obviously don't want to hire or train any more people than necessary. And that's especially true if they are paying wages and have to do all the govermental paperwork and tax withholdings for employees. So it's understandable if they want four, five, or six month commitments.
But, as Fred said, you can always ask if they will take someone for three months or less. Never hurts to ask. But just be aware that the employer may beg, plead, and guilt you into staying longer after they see the wonderful job you do.
-- Edited by Froggi at 15:08, 2007-09-21
Four to six months is generally what most private campgrounds are looking for but you can ask for less and sometimes they are willing to go along with that. We workamped at Nashville KOA last winter and they were looking for a six month commitment but were willing to take less (or more, they would have been happy to have us stay a year). We just finished with Lake George Escape in New York and they look for a mid May to Mid June start to Labor Day commitment. Most of the seasonal campgrounds like to have at least a Memorial Day to Labor Day commitment.
I agree with Howard about State and Federal Parks. After workamping for a site and hourly wage we feel that they expect a lot - 35 to 40 hours a week. Also, when money changes hands it becomes a J-O-B no matter how you slice it. We would rather work three days (16 to 20 hours) for our site so we can have some time for biking, hiking, sightseeing, etc. I agree with what you said, if I have to work that much then I should have stayed at my old job making a whole lot more money.
Darrell
Oh, the decisions we have to make as fulltimers !!!!!!!