This is mainly for employers. Just wondering if it seems harder this year to get workampers because of the high fuel costs and general inflation in all costs? We are workampers and we are committed to jobs in Montana to start July 1. But we are definitely thinking and worrying a little about whether or not we we will be able to continue as much long distance traveling and workamping in the future.
We are fulltimers starting our 4th year of workamping. You are right. I have seen a lot of adds in Workamper that have been repeated numerous times. Most of those adds require anywhere from 15-25 hour of free labor to pay for the site.
We do not reply those adds. We only work at campgrounds that offer a full hookup site including wi fi and pay for all hours worked. Campgrounds days of cheap labor when diesel is 4.50 a gallon and climbing, not to mention all other living costs, are numbered.
Cigar Mike
2004.5 2500 CTD Dodge Ram Quad Cab Longbed
2005 CF29CK Crossroads Cruiser with all the options
mgratner wrote: We are fulltimers starting our 4th year of workamping. You are right. I have seen a lot of adds in Workamper that have been repeated numerous times. Most of those adds require anywhere from 15-25 hour of free labor to pay for the site.
We do not reply those adds. We only work at campgrounds that offer a full hookup site including wi fi and pay for all hours worked. Campgrounds days of cheap labor when diesel is 4.50 a gallon and climbing, not to mention all other living costs, are numbered.
Cigar Mike
Hopefully no one will reply to the campgrounds that are not supplying space and amenities for FREE.
I (2-10-05) bought a 2002 F350 CC SWD PSD and a new 2003 Citation 10'8. Rancho 9000X & Toyo M55's.I have been a tent camper all my life. I wanted more comfort while doing my Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol & Crater Lake Ski Patrol duties.11
Quote: Hopefully no one will reply to the campgrounds that are not supplying space and amenities for FREE.
Everyone has different requirements. Remember...employers are hurting too.
If a person is willing to put in x number of hours for a site, that is his perogative.
To make a blanket statement like that is irresponsible.
JMNVHO
Dianne
Fulltimers (9 years)
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Heise Hot Springs, ID for the summer
DataStorm
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Campgrounds are not hurting. People still camp. They just stay closer to home.
Instead of 2 week 3000 mile cross country trip folks go a short distance and spend their vacation at an RV park closer to home. It was that way last summer and I am sure it will be even more prevelent this year. Accusing someone of being irresponsible because you disagree with their position shows your lack of understanding about what goes on at many campgrounds concerning hours and work in exchange for a site.
I manage a campground. I know the financial situation. We are hurting just like everyone else.
I workcamp and have for 8 years. I know what I am talking about. We have several couple working here who do not want wages. They work for the site and perks only. Their reasons are their own......
Jayco-noslide wrote: This is mainly for employers. Just wondering if it seems harder this year to get workampers because of the high fuel costs and general inflation in all costs?
I am an assistant manager of a campground, and to directly answer your question, this summer season it is more difficult to find workampers than it has been the past several summers. It is as you say, more than the increase in fuel costs, and it is the general devaluation of the dollar. It effects everything.
The most difficult thing for us is that we have more workampers than ever who simply have not shown up to honor the committments they made 4 to 6 months ago. It's like they fall off the face of the earth. As an employer, I understand that situations change (medical, family, etc) and costs can suddenly force workampers to make alternative plans. All I ask is that you return the messages we left you and update us on your situation. I will understand. I may not like it. But, I will understand.
Currently our season is ramping up and we decided yesterday that we are just going to have to manage short staffed this summer. Please be patient with our valuable workcampers and wait your turn in longer lines to get registered. Our workampers are doing a good job. Please don't tell them all your stories about how much more it costs compared to last year. We already know, and your complaint, which we can do nothing about, just delays the next person's registration. And, we have already heard the story from someone else.
For anyone to make the statement; "Campgrounds are not hurting." shows they have no idea what it takes to operate a campground. While there are a handfull of RV resorts around the US that make a lot of money, the vast majority are just barely hanging on.
In a previous post I attempted to explain some costs;
The greatest costs to park operations...
1. Mortgage on property that cost $5,000,000.
2. Property taxes that increase with new taxes levied AND increase with new property valuations based on some appraisers quess that the property would bring $20,000,000 at sale. (This is a real number!) (Annual property taves average $200.00 perday; how many campernights is that?)
3. The need to raise $2,000,000, and increasing costs for engenering, permits, materials, and labor, to upgrade the park to 50A services, cable, WiFi, pool, club house, espresso, new restrooms, etc, etc, that campers are now expecting. (These demands are increasing as families travel shorter distances and expect more amenities and entertainment at the campground.)
4. Liabinity insurance. $$$$ and going up!
5. Business and Occupation taxes that suck business owners dry.
6. Seasonal income... Operating at a huge loss for 9months has to be made up with some profits the other 3months.
7. Cost of Water in and Sewer out. (Take a look in the RV Industry News at how many hundreds of thousands of dollars Billings KOA anticipates saving by changing billing catagories.) Our costs for these services are staggering.
The attitude that campground owners just want to take advantage of campers is insulting. Just try to run a business and see how well you do.
* This post was
edited 05/15/08 08:13am by RVnRobin *
RVnRobin, DW, and the cat.
The cat thinks she is the boss!
Dianne, you go girl!!! If anyone can comment on these kinds of posts you can. I love how the Workamper "police" show up to tell us how "everyone" should work. Personally I could care less if everyone or no one works for wages. You hit the nail on the head when you say everyone has a different situation.
I understand what running a business is all about, having run my own business for 30 years, most of which time I between 80-85 employees. We had all of the
problems you have, not for 3 months a year but year-round. A few small busiinesses make a ton of money, most hang on by their fingernails in any industry.
The key to my success was taking care of my people. Some campgrounds make paying 4.50 a gallon for diesel to get to their assignment worthwhile. A substaintial number do not. All I am saying is that with the workampers increased cost of travel and general living expense the campgrounds that make it worthwhile will get the best employees. If people want to work several days a week for a site more power to them even though I have seen many adds in which after 20-25 hours for the site the workamper is paying in labor, say at 8.00 an hour, more than monthlys and seasonals.
I respect your views even though I do not agree with them.
mgratner wrote: The key to my success was taking care of my people. Some campgrounds make paying 4.50 a gallon for diesel to get to their assignment worthwhile. A substaintial number do not. All I am saying is that with the workampers increased cost of travel and general living expense the campgrounds that make it worthwhile will get the best employees.
I too am retired from a successful business career and came out of retirement after four years because retirement is boring and we needed a change of pace from workamping and volunteering. We have no argument in that taking care of people is primary in operating this business. My perspective is that if our workampers are not enjoying themselves, there is no way they can help campers enjoy their time here. One way we try to make sure workanmpers enjoy themselves is through fair compensation. We pay for every hour worked. (The owner of this campground is an attorney and he references some federal law that says it is illegal to trade hours of work for a site unless it is a volunteer situation.) (I don't know what law.) Besides, paying for every hour worked is just the right thing to do. We provide a site at no charge, propane at cost, all the free coffee anyone can drink, free use of all the facilities, reduced price breakfast, free and/or reduced tours, shirts, hats, coats... This year there are still far fewer workampers applying. And, we still have workampers that just didn't show up. I'm not sure what more is needed to make it "worthwhile". Although, I may have got a hint when one couple who applied wanted me to pay their fuel costs to get here.
mgratner wrote: I respect your views even though I do not agree with them.
I'm not sure what we're not agreeing on... The cost of running a campground?????
mgratner wrote: Cigar Mike
I enjoy a COHIBA or CAO myself, along with a local microbrew. (Porter or Stout preferred) Enjoy!
* This post was
edited 05/16/08 06:22am by RVnRobin *
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