Some of us have work camped before, some are looking for the first time. Whether you are experienced or not, it is nice to have a reminder of what can make or break your work camping experience. You can use this to make yourself a general checklist and add the priorities that are personal to you. Let’s go!
The Site
A big one, of course, is finding out about your RV site. First, many may assume is that it is free in exchange for the work, but it is better to find out. Perhaps they only discount the site, or the campground pays an hourly rate and deducts the cost of the site from the pay. I’ve (rarely) seen a couple of these variations so make sure the post specifies and if not, ask the campground!
The next issue would be hook-ups. Not all sites have full hook-ups, especially some more remote locations. And that may not be a big issue if they have a water connection and/or dump station on the premises but it depends on your individual needs and preferred level of comfort. Personally, if it isn’t a full-hookup site, it’s not for me. Other considerations for your RV site include:
- Distance from restrooms/showers/laundry
- Shade/tree cover (this may be a big one in summer!)
- Proximity to dog run/park (if applicable)
While some of these additional factors may seem like a lot to expect when work camping, but it may be important to some with certain health conditions or mobility issues. Know what works for you and inquire when necessary!
Commitment
It is important to know exactly what you are signing up for. Some positions are looking for people who will stay the entirety of the season, some for a whole year. Know what you are getting into upfront so neither the campground nor yourself are left unhappy when you pack it up. Besides the overall duration, know how many hours per week are expected. A lot of positions tend to range from 20-30 hours per week but anyone who has worked a campground during the peak season knows how that can turn out. Define expectations for both parties. Is there overtime? How is overtime compensated? Is it 8 hours per shift or is it broken down differently? Also, finding out about what your days off are, how many there are, and if they are consecutive is crucial. For couples, some of them anyway, they tend to want their days off at the same time which may not always be possible for coverage reasons.
Compensation
We touched on this a bit already but know what you are getting in exchange for your work. Some campgrounds actually provide a free RV site and pay. They are few and far between however, they can be the ideal listings for road warriors needing a budget infusion. If there is pay find out what the payment schedule is. Is it weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly? If there is no pay, there may be other incentives specific to the campground other than the site such as camp store discounts, free laundry, and area-specific partnerships with other businesses. No matter what, one thing I would recommend is to personally keep track of your hours, even if the campground has a system, keep your own records as well.
Location
Keeping in mind where you are located when you are at a campground is important. Some campgrounds may be especially beautiful because of how remote they are. This also means you may have an hour’s drive or more to the nearest supplies or stores. It may also mean you may have no cell phone signal, so finding out about whether or not they have any Wi-Fi while you’re there may answer if you will be able to communicate with the outside world or not. Now, this may seem like common sense, but the location also plays a big role in what climate conditions you will be dealing with during different times of the year.
Knowing the elevation of the area as well can make a big difference in your comfort level while working all day. Because locally it may be 70 degrees and sunny all day does not mean you will have the same conditions up in the mountains. Plus, if you are a smoker (we don’t judge!) do you want to be walking a potentially huge campground at high elevations all day? Probably not. Well, I would not suggest it anyway.
Transportation
If having to travel around a campground all day, especially some that have large separate day-use areas, find out how you are expected to get around. Some places have golf carts or ATVs they provide for you to get around but knowing first can help you decide. With all the driving to get around the country, I would not want to use my personal truck to drive around a campground. Also, if you are in a cold or rainy area maybe you do not want to drive an open-sided cart around all day. At the very least you can be prepared for those days. You may just have to walk to get where you are going. If your knees are anything like mine (think of a heavy rock sitting on top of frayed rubber bands holding up an anvil), then this might not be the ideal scenario for you.
We hope this helps you when searching KamperJobs.com for your next adventure! As always, safe travels to you all, and remember…
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison