mgratner
Wherever I happen to be USA
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I think with the price of fuel getting workampers will be much harder for owners and the compensation package will improve. Many adds in Workamper requiring hours for the site being are repeated numerous times indicating a lack of interest.
Cigar Mike
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firedude
On the road
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Actually the volunteer positions are getting harder to fill. Example they needed hosts for Morro Bay State Park and actually had trouble filling the positions. As a host you get your site with no stipends and have to use your own vehicle to do camp checks and other duties. With todays fuel prices people were darn near paying to volunteer. One host had a F450 truck and went out and rented a small economical car for his 6 month tour lol! Cost him $2300 plus fuel and he came out ahead!
People used to line up for volunteer host positions at Morro Bay. Not anymore. Just another sign on the downward turn of things in the economy.
Workamping is one thing, but volunteering and having to use your own vehicle a lot is tough. When all is said and done, you're almost in some cases paying them to volunteer!
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DianneOK
Donnelly, ID
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Tony, I agree...we won't take a position that requires us to use our vehicle. Can't you see me doing camp checks and gates in my FL60 
Dianne
Donnelly, ID
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Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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We are still doing volunteer positions, but we have never been big on those which require much driving of our own vehicle, unless we get mileage for it. We don't always expect the kind that employees get, but at least something. Last winter we were only getting 10 cents per mile and a couple of years ago we got 15 cents/mile at Black Bayou Refuge. But that used to pay for the gasoline. Now days that wouldn't do it.
Where we are spending the summer, we do use the COE vehicles when needed, but we have to drive about three miles to got one. If I were more motivated, I'd use my bicycle for that! When hosting I have always used my bicycle for campground checks. Seems like a waste to drive for that, unless it is raining.
Good travelin! ........Kirk
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CROSSBOLT
Whiteville, TN USA
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I gotta respond to WTTCS: We started workamping in 2004 as a geographical cure for chaotic family problems (spelled kids) which were incurable. It has been a great lifestyle to see the country on someone else's nickle.
Karl
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Boblou
Florida
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Joined: 10/05/2005
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In our opinion, working where you have a definition and assignment of the job. Also, in some cases you may want a contract. I think that maybe getting paid for all hours worked minus a reduced amount for the campsite is the best way.
This is our first year, we have no contract and we have no specific assignments except that we were given a piece of paper that shows how much we are expected to work each day to total 20 hours. Fact is we are now working 20 hrs each instead of 20hrs per couple for the campsite. When we are told each morning what we are expected to do the list is so long there is no way we can do this job within the hours allotted.
So be careful what you sign up for Make sure you and the owner/managers have a good understand. I have been told by other work campers to quit, just walk out, but that is not the way we are.
BUT WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR.
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usnret
Milledgeville Ga
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Boblou:
Based on your info, you are not under contract so you would be within your rights to quit. Just give a reasonable notice. That would not be unethical. Sometimes things just don't work out or there is a lack of communication.
Jim (Full-time wanna be)
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mgratner
Wherever I happen to be USA
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Boblou,
There are lots of campgrounds that do what they say. If this one did not, pack up and leave. You owe them nothing. 40 hours for a site is outrageous. We have been workamping for 4 years never heard of that. It seems like where you are at they are trying to get slave labor.
Cigar Mike
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
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"gotta respond to WTTCS: We started workamping in 2004 as a geographical cure for chaotic family problems (spelled kids) which were incurable. It has been a great lifestyle to see the country on someone else's nickle."
Crossbolt, my statement was in re: "Campground expected compensation". Rest assured that there is a huge (great) difference in workamping and volunterring or doing christ's work on calling.
I still do not understand people who quit a pressure job, or a high paid job, just to go fulltiming , then turn around and work for 5 bucks an hour.
Thank you very much for your work, too bad more people dont.
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ginabas
ohio
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Joined: 08/25/2005
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wttcc wrote:For sure I am not against people working, but I find it awful strange that people will quit a better paying job, and take one for 5 bucks an hour just so they can live in an rv.
You can work at any WalMart, McDonalds, Burger King, any vacation park etc and make twice as much and not have to KAA......
Before you take a five dollar and hour job, why dont you look at seasonal work. It is so much better and so much more money.
I am sure my opinion will disagree with many who dont mind being a slave .
It's a lifestyle, not a career. If one wants to make the kind of money that their prior positions provided, than I doubt that anyone would choose this lifestyle.
It can be a wonderful opportunity to see this beautiful country while making a little spending money to help. This does NOT make anyone a slave as you stated.
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