RE: Young Workamper?
I think what you are thinking about could be very doable. This summer where I am, a young college man stayed here in a very old comfortable Class A and workamped here for the site (working grounds) as well as some wages and worked at a restaurant in town duing the busy summer season as a waiter for more money to put towards his school season.
Last summer the park I was at had two college men for their busy summer season. If the parks and you are in the south, I would think that they could definitely use a young man for some of the grounds work that some of the other (usually somewhat older) folks would have trouble doing.
Good luck to you.
RE: For Employers - Workamper Package
As a former motel owner, and now a workamper in a small rv, I do understand the issues the owners have, and I also see things from the workers perspective. I'm workamping because it helps augment the traveling I want to do without touching a retirement account (that is quickly diminishing without me touching it) until such time when I should be using it (I'm in my mid-50's).
I have been blessed with some wonderful places in my decisions the last 3 years on workamping assignments. Have they all be perfect? No. Are there changes I would like to see? Yes.
I do not want to work a 40 hour week. If I'm going back to those kind of hours, I'll take the headaches that come with management and go back to work again. But I'm more than willing to work 40 hours on an occasional week to cover for others that need time off, etc - as I hope they'll do the same for me. And I did consider a position for this past summer that would have required 40 hours for the busiest weeks of the summer, but less before and after. They lost me because they waited too long to make a commitment (they wanted to do both the workamping shows in FL and AZ) and I like to have a commitment locked in and not be thinking about it anymore. By the time they called to offer me a position and send me a contract, I'd committed elsewhere - even though they had been my first choice and I had tried to wait (I waited 2 months before accepting something else.)
I start each job search based on the location of the employer. Where do I want to be. That comes first and foremost. Then I start contacting prospective employers. I try to ask all the questions that I think I need to know, but on each job something has surprised me. And we should all expect that to a small degree, because we don't ask everything. What would upset me truly, though, would be if the surprises were because things I asked weren't as told/promised. I will give everything I promise to the employer and expect the same back. Yep, the respect thing :)
Where I worked summer of 2007, I considered them to be way more than fair. Changes were made after I got onboard - to BOTH of our favors. Why? Because they actually look at what you do best and what you like to do, then try to change your job to accommodate you that way. I ended up with more variety in my job (which kept me more interested) and they got to take advantage of more of my experience in some areas. So, while I like the idea of contracts, I am more in favor of having some flexibility - brought about by each side having respect for the other.
For my 2008 summer, I can honestly say that the one question I didn't ask, probably would have been a deal breaker for me in advance - and that would have been knowing that I was starting work at 6 am (something I never intended to do again in my life). At this point in time, I have signed on to stay here through the winter season, so I'm glad I didn't find that out in advance. Some of the other reasons I like where I am overrode my desire to never need an alarm clock again.
Oh, and while I usually have worked office with my experience - here I worked in the cafe and in housekeeping for the summer, and am going into housekeeping only for the winter. Yep, cleaning bathrooms and cabins - and glad to be doing it. So there are those of us who won't find it demeaning. And like another stated, I don't know why some are so afraid of it. For me, it keeps me busy which means time goes faster, and I don't have any of the headaches that can come with the office and dealing with the public (which I do love, but a break from it is nice.)
I'm more than willing to pay something for my site. In fact, where I am now, I paid a discounted site rental and was paid for every hour worked. At the end of the season I received a $1/hour completion bonus (which they only have for their summer season). For each additional season you work here, even if not consecutive, your site rental goes down 25% until your 5th workamping season with them would be pay for all hours and no site rental (ah, but we do pay our own electric - which I've never had to pay elsewhere). I like the area, and do intend to travel summer of 2009, but am intending to come back here for either the winter 2009 or summer 2010 season - and that perk helps bring me.
With the first post being workampers who never responded after receiving the packet - I wonder did they really commit via phone? If so, I'm disappointed in my fellow workampers. That does not give you the respect you deserve. If they changed their minds, you should have been called. On the other hand, I've had cases where prospective employers have offered to send me information to look over before I decided. And I have in some of those cases decided it wasn't for me - and I did not contact them. Maybe I should have, but I did figure they would call me back and I'd tell them exactly why I hadn't responded. Again, I would never have not responded at all if I had agreed already.
MPJ - if I ever am looking in the MO area, I'll contact you for a season - and see if we can work anything out. That, of course, will depend on if you accept single workampers, of course.
Good luck to you - I didn't see anything that sent up red flags to me about what you offer. You offer better than some, not as good as some - and never will it all be equal.
And if I was back in management at even motels/hotels - I'd rather have most of the workampers I've worked with than the local help I'd be able to employ. So while this isn't perfect, it sure beats a lot of what you can get today locally (unfortunately).
RE: New post old topic
I have to agree with all the other posters. First, if it's acceptable to you, then go ahead. For me, the maximum I'll work for a private cg before being paid is 20 hours/week - and that's pushing it and more than I've ever had to give.
And you are comparing the nightly rate - which is always less than a cg will charge for a weekly and/or monthly or seasonal. If you're going to be there for a season to work, chances are they'll give an even better rate than the monthly. Those are the figures to look at.
RE: Pay For Hours Worked?
Oh my, reading this thread again I'm always amazed by how it goes. I'm now workamping at my 3rd private cg. In each case the hours and/or wages have been very favorable for what I needed where I was.
First of the three, I wanted minimum hours in a pretty specific area. I found it. Worked 16 hours per week for the full-hook up site - had the same 2 days every week, with 5 days off to see/travel the area. I got my spot for the entire season and only had to work from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
2nd, I worked 10 hours a week for my site, including fhu's, propane and perks. A monthly at this cg would have been $1000. I think my 10 hours were more than worth it. And I was paid for all hours over that, as well as received a bonus at the end of the season. Best part? I absolutely LOVE the owners and managers of that cg and had a great time. I will go back there again another year.
Right now, I'm paid for all hours worked, with a discounted monthly site rate, electric and propane deducted. There are perks and is a bonus after completing the season. And I'm at a summer resort. They aren't seeing empty sites because of gas prices - are as full as always. And I'm happy to be here, have already signed on for another season.
Is the pay at any of these jobs the same as my profession? Of course not. Am I doing the same work? No.
Yes, I carefully consider whether the "deal" with a cg is right for me. If it's not, I won't do it. Are there cg owners who take advantage, sure. Are there workampers who take advantage? Yes. It's a two way street.
Find what's right for you - but if you're looking to be paid what you're worth "outside" - chances are you won't find it working at a cg - as that's not the type of work you do/did - and that's not the wages these jobs get whether by workampers or locals. On the other hand, of course I turned down the job where the cg wanted 40 hours for the site (and OMG, they only gave a small stipend toward the electric! - why anyone would do that I have no clue). I also turned down one that offers to pay the same as they would a local - and you pay for your site. I'd have lost in that situation, also.
Good luck to any/all of you coming into workamping. Just have your eyes open and know what will and won't work for you.
RE: duties of a workcamper
And don't take the 20 hours for a site as standard. I've worked 16/site, 10/site and now I'm having my electric and a discounted site rate deducted before I'm paid for my hours - and so far it's working out to be the best.
There are positions with site and amenities free to some parks that actually get 40 hours/week for a site. Because they hire couples at 20 hours each - these people somehow think it's ok. I'd never do that but as long as there are people willing to - it'll happen.
And as shown, the jobs can be just about anything - can be combinations, or you can do mainly one area. All my jobs but one I found by contacting cg's in the area I wanted to be - but I am a member of workampers and did get this job through them for my summer.
RE: Working while camping, not workcamping
I wouldn't trust it. Like the others, I wouldn't pay for it. But if you do and have a good experience, let us know.
RE: Bad experience-sign contract
I signed one contract, have not for the other jobs. I have asked questions and with each job I learn there are more questions I should ask :). And I'm sure they always have more questions they could ask me (or other workampers). I've liked most of the other workampers, but had a few that could have made my life miserable if I let them.
Leetoniafan - you really can't compare what you make normally with what you'll be trading as a workamper - it's totally different. I find it unusual and that you are lucky if you are finding positions as a chaplain for a couple days a week for a site. Even the cg's I've been to with Sunday services, don't have a chaplain on premises like that. I'm glad you were able to find another position.
RE: Workcamper Time Cards
I've filled out a time card on the last 3 jobs. It makes it easy for me and them - and even though they give me a schedule, the # of hours to do the work varies, and I get paid according to the actual hours I work (whether more or less).
RE: Workcamping and "Pool Control"......
I think it's a good thing - and certainly wouldn't be complaining about it. Keeping the place running right makes for happy campers, makes for less complaints and problems in the office later.
RE: Management position Southeast Florida
I pm'd a week or more ago - did not receive any response. Is the position filled? If not, a response, even if not interested, would be welcome :)
Thanks
RE: Is no time off common for park managers?
I agree with both Dianne and wepamper - I was speaking of full-time, year round - when I said that time off is a necessity. For a season, it's a matter of hours, etc - and I don't see a problem. When I managed yearround, I never took my time off during the busiest times. Even if the employees could handle it, it was MY responsibility. I never minded that. But in both cases, you need to learn how to manage your time. And I'd say Dianne is probably an expert at it - with the time she spends here, too!
RE: Is no time off common for park managers?
As a former motel owner, then general manager of other motels for others (which is similar to park management), I lived on premise in all cases. But, with good staff I took time off - unfortunately, many managers aren't good at delegating or allowing others to do the jobs necessary to allow them to take time off. And some owners won't let them.
I wouldn't hesitate to work managing in a cg - but not with an owner that won't allow things to be done where I would have time off. With the great workampers I work with now - I'd be thrilled to be in the cg business over the motel business!
That said, many managers and owners never get a day off - and some don't want it - they like the control it gives them. With a seasonal business, I can see it - as they know they'll have their time during the off season. But when your season is year round, you have to learn to do things differently.
RE: Going Full Time before retirement
I worked 80+ hour weeks - and realized that retirement might never come. 3 years ago I left that job planning on spending 1-2 years full-time, then probably going back. Well, I'm starting my 3rd year and doing this very frugally - and enjoying every moment. One year in I decided to workamp to help defray the camping costs. And by picking areas of the country for those seasons that I wanted to explore, I truly have enjoyed the experiences. This coming summer I'm workamping less than 15 miles from my best friend. It will be heaven on earth to be able to see her for more than a couple days in a year or two.
I also have an online business that I started to allow me to do this without using my savings. I only put in about 10 hours/week on it - more and I would have a higher income from it - but this way I don't feel like I'm working - I enjoy doing it!
Good luck to you. If you can both agree on this, and you can agree on what you can use from your savings, I say go for it.
RE: HELP!!! Newer or older???
I have a '99 mh - and yes, it needs some maintenance now and then. I expect it and plan for it. If you go over that '98 like people have suggested, and if you can look to what to expect (assuming it passes inspection) I would go for it over the newer one also.
RE: Lost one today (3/17/08)
So very sorry for your loss. I lost one of mine last October and both my other dog and I were very sad. Many said it was too soon when I got another dog just about a month later - but this new little one has helped both of us heal - my other dog even more - who wasn't eating well. He's very old and every day with him is a blessing. Bringing in the young one (about a year when we added her to the family) has been good for both of us. And I know that my older dog may not be with us much longer - having the young one here will help me when his time comes.
Do what is right for you and Sheba. You'll still be sad and feel the pain - but the new pup might help you as mine did us.
RE: RIP - RVSnowBird
Thank you, Lorelle, for taking the time to come here where your Dad spent so much of his time to update all of us. Your dad was very special, and it's obvious that you are also. He spoke of you often and showed me one of your websites, also.
I hope that knowing that he was so happy in what he was doing the past few years here is of some solace to you in this very difficult time.
