WHY WORKAMP?

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In 2003 we started workamping. That is, we started looking for temporary jobs to augment our retirement income. We have had several workamping jobs. We have worked for a National Park Concessionaire in Crater Lake National Park, an RV and Golf Resort in Southern California, a private campground, and a flea market (a HUGE flea market) serving hot dogs and ice cream. We have to admit we have had fun at all of them. Except for the RV and Golf Resort, all of the jobs paid wages, although small wages.

In general, workamping jobs are not high paying jobs, typically they pay minimum wage or slightly better. However, financial gain is probably not a good reason for workamping. The experience, the physical activity, the people you meet, and the things you learn are more important reasons. Also, as a full time RVer, when we travel we may spend a few days to a few weeks in a particular location. When we workamp we spend several months in a particular location. That allows us to learn more about the area and see things that we would not be able to see in a few days or even a few weeks.

Then there are the people you meet and work with. Several of the people we have met while workamping will be friends for life. Even some of the people for whom we've worked will be friends for life. That is certainly a good reason to workamp.

Compensation varies considerably. Some campgrounds will not pay you but will give you a free site and free utilities but you must work a specified number of hours each week. Other campgrounds will pay you for all hours worked. Some campgrounds will charge a reduced fee for your site but may also refund part or all of the fees if you complete your contract.

Workamping at campgrounds we have actually done virtually everything related to running a campground (it's taught us that we do not want to own a campground). We have taken reservations, registered campers, hauled trash, cleaned campsites, served food, cleaned swimming pools, escorted campers, helped campers by solving problems, cleaned cabins, refinished floors in cabins, worked as security, worked in a cafe, pumped propane, and many other things. As we've said, we have met many great people in the process.

The best way to find a workamping job is to subscribe to Workamper News (visit www.workamper.com for more information), if you decide to subscribe, please give our names (Larry and Adrienne Brauer) as a reference. Workamper News is a magazine that is published six times a year. Each issue provides a number of places looking for workampers. The job openings are listed by state, so you can figure out where you want to go and see what jobs might be available. They also have a Workamper Plus subscription. This will provide you with a daily email listing jobs that are opening within the next few weeks. The Workamper Plus subscription has been the best for us.

For a number of reasons, workamping has been a very good experience for us.