Seasonal Workamping

[wheel interested]

Brad and I are starting to do some workamping and wondered if you have had some experiences and tips to share.

With a boost (more like a jettison) from the downturned economy, we are seizing the opportunity to not retire but to make a life style change. Through Workamping we can still travel to other places while supporting our rv lifestyle and subsidizing our income.

We just need to keep away from casinos and respect the concept of the "nest egg."

YouTube - Lost in America TV Trailer

[wheel interested]

Right now Brad is workamping in Williamsburg New Mexico at an animal shelter, Desert Haven. They have quite a few dogs, cats, birds and guinnea pigs and while it might sound like a cushy job in the sun to avoid the ice and snow of a Michigan winter, there is quite a lot of care to be given the animals and upkeep at the shelter and work at the thrift shop in town. Tuesdays are their busy work day and many town volunteers join the residents of DHAS in assisting and then conclude with a weekly potluck dinner.

Brad is also enjoying meeting other work campers from various parts of the country and sightseeing on his days off.

[thecatsandi]

When are you going to join him? Maybe I can stop by and visit on my way home.

[doorgunner]

I've chit chatted with a number of workampers. They usually help out in the camp area doing all kinds of things-- office work, mowing, gardening, general repair, trash truck, latrine cleaning, you name it. One guy and his wife had been on the road for 3 years having fun .
their website is workamper.com.

[wheel interested]

Hey that would be cool Michelle! Do go and stop and see Brad. However I am not going to New Mexico. He will be there through March and then he wants to go and explore Sante Fe and some other places before he makes his way back to Michigan while he is still out South West.

Starting in May we are both going to be working at Wagon Trail Resort in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin for a summer in Door County. That's is one of our favorite areas to go, a peninsula in the Great Lakes. Brad will be baking and I will be a server at a Swedish restaurant. It's been there for three generations and very quaint on Rowley's Bay.

Wouldn't you know Flagg Ranch in Yellowstone just contacted us after we already have this year's commitment!! Maybe next year. We will have more experience by then too.

I miss seeing you Michelle!! I guess it just wasn't in the cards for either of us for the Can Opener this year. Sure does make the winter long though. Where are you now? Did you say you will be going back to your new house and starting to teach?

[wheel interested]

Doorgunner, I have heard good things about Workamper news. We have only just signed up for it and begun to recieve updates and access. I think it going to be very helpful. We have not received the magazine yet but it has been mailed. There cerrtainly are lots of employers. Workamping will put us in a different pool of people seeking employment and hopefully will work to our advantage. Here in Michigan after a year of looking, we have both decided it might be better to get away to find jobs. So this is our "silver lining" story.

We have talked to some of the work campers on our travels too. You are right they are always so friendly and happy to be out there traveling and working at different places. This will be a transition and an experiment for us. It would seem the way to still get to rv and that counts for alot with us!

Another good site, if anyone is looking is CoolWorks.com. Lots of adventure across this country of ours. It's great having a home away from home to let us have the comfort and privacy of an Airstream.

[Hoo-boo]

I have nothing but great things to say about workcamping. After taking an early retirement in 1992 my wife and I took a 13,877 mile cross country trip. Out 6 months. Came home for a short time and took a few more shorter trips. In 1995 wanted to do something different so we close up the home again and I worked camped (not my wife), she just hung around the campground. I received a full hook up site and $125.00 a week for 25 hrs. a week working in registration. I liked it so much we went back the next year. Anyone who has a chance to workcamp should do it. You meet some great people and have fun at the same time. Note: not all campgrounds pay a salary.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by wheel interested

Hey that would be cool Michelle! Do go and stop and see Brad. However I am not going to New Mexico. He will be there through March and then he wants to go and explore Sante Fe and some other places before he makes his way back to Michigan while he is still out South West.

I looked up the place he is work camping and I passed by there last year.
Not sure I am going that far south.

Originally Posted by wheel interested

Starting in May we are both going to be working at Wagon Trail Resort in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin for a summer in Door County. That's is one of our favorite areas to go, a peninsula in the Great Lakes. Brad will be baking and I will be a server at a Swedish restaurant. It's been there for three generations and very quaint on Rowley's Bay.

Sounds like a nice place to work. I hope you all have some time to have fun.

Originally Posted by wheel interested

I miss seeing you Michelle!! I guess it just wasn't in the cards for either of us for the Can Opener this year. Sure does make the winter long though. Where are you now? Did you say you will be going back to your new house and starting to teach?

I am planning on heading home Monday. That depends on if I get a project finished in my sisters house. I am not leaving until it is done. I am close but it has proven tougher than I expected.
I will be going back to school in the fall to become a certified welder. The course should be fun and I am using it to get back in the swing of school. I am going to get a tech refresher after that and see what happens with the economy and job market.

[NOAZRK2690]

HOO BOO

Could you explain how you got your first work kamping contact?

~ALK

[Lily&Me]

Good for you, Carol.

We have met many workcampers who have nothing but positive things to say about the experience. They are doing exactly what you plan to do, workcamp to allow them to travel the country while living within their means. One man we met at Gulf Islands NS last year had worked for years for the National Park Service, traveling wherever they needed him and doing whatever was needed at the park where he was sent. These tasks ranged from the traditional to learning/demonstrating blacksmithing, etc. What fun!

It seems eminently doable, and no shortage of opportunities out there. Have fun and travel safe.

Maggie