Would you like something like this?

[Moffittclan]

I'm active duty and planning to retire in a 2-3 years. It will be just my wife and I (2 kids will be finishing out college) and we are considering full timing it for at least a year and maybe much more. We will have my military retirement (which I believe will support us fine) but at only 45 years old, feel like we need to stay active and "productive". So I'm reading a lot on workamping, etc. and was hoping to get some feedback on an idea from some of you experienced full-timers.

My wife has been certified as a personal trainer and group trainer and owned her own (small) fitness studio. Having been in the military for 25 years, I have some experience at fitness goals and working out. If we were to have a morning and evening "workout in the park" type of thing going on at a RV park, would any of you consider attending? Since we don't know the full-time lifestyle yet, we are unsure how well received this would be. My thought was that we would initially just teach different classes or organize group walks/runs and allow "tips" at the end instead of requiring a "per class fee".

I understand that the demographic of the full-timers is a little older than us as well, would that be a disadvantage?

We aren't looking at this as a main income stream but a what to supplement a little while keeping ourselves active and being able to meet people along the way. What do you guys think? Worth the effort or not?

[wannavolunteerF]

I see ads each year for "activity directors" at various commercial parks in Snowbird regions. You and your wife could like convert your experience to qualify for that. You might even could introduce some light workouts/exercise programs.. like beginning yoga, water exercise, etc. at these places. Be warned that most of the ads I have seen for this type position require a minimum of a six month commitment.

also check out workampingjobs.com.

[2gypsies1]

The big 'resorts' have a fitness center with classes. This is very doable but you'd need to present your plan to the RV park.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

I don't think the RV community at most locations except maybe some of the snowbird locations for the winter would be interested, and it would have to be a light workout tailored to folks over 60 with limited mobility.

You will also have to negotiate with the RV parks about offering a for-fee service. It might workout but I wouldn't count on much income.

Also watchout for taxes on such income. Pretty hefty.

[MarkTwain]

Moffittclan wrote:
I'm active duty and planning to retire in a 2-3 years. So I'm reading a lot on workamping, etc. and was hoping to get some feedback on an idea from some of you experienced full-timers.

My wife has been certified as a personal trainer and group trainer and owned her own (small) fitness studio. Having been in the military for 25 years, I have some experience at fitness goals and working out. If we were to have a morning and evening "workout in the park" type of thing going on at a RV park, would any of you consider attending? Since we don't know the full-time lifestyle yet, we are unsure how well received this would be. My thought was that we would initially just teach different classes or organize group walks/runs and allow "tips" at the end instead of requiring a "per class fee".

I understand that the demographic of the full-timers is a little older than us as well, would that be a disadvantage?

The demographics will absolutely dictate what type of "classes" you can successfully offer. At age 70 and above you are not going to find a large number of people who can or want to participate walk/run type of classes.
1. Generally you be will limited to large Resort type RV parks where RVers are staying for about 3 to 6 months a year. i.e. "Snowbirders".
2. Generally speaking most of these type of classes are presented by RVers already residing in the Resort and they usually ask for ask for $1 dollar per class.
3. All classes have to have prior approval from the Resort Management.
4. The weather will also limit the classes you will be able to offer, thus affecting the "supplement income" goal. i.e. areas of the country that experience temps. in the 100 plus degrees during times of the year will not be populated by large numbers of RVers.

We aren't looking at this as a main income stream but a what to supplement a little while keeping ourselves active and being able to meet people along the way. What do you guys think? Worth the effort or not?

IMHO, classes as a supplement for income would produce marginal results. Meeting new people and creating new experiences is what RVing is all about.

[gbopp]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service to our country. 🙂

I don't full time so someone in my position may or may not be interested in what you are proposing.

If you go to 'Snowbird' destinations you may have a more positive response.

Did you check the workcamping forum? That may give you some ideas.

Enjoy your retirement and travels.

[donn0128]

Most private parks have all sorts of restrictions about working or doing work in the park. I guess you could possibly find a few places where setting up a business might be allowed though.
I think you would have more fun becoming camp hosts. Either paid of volunteering.

It variers of course, but generally volunteers get a free camp site for minimun work. Paid positions run the gambet of jobs from brush clearing, mowing, painting, to office duties.

[RoyB]

Most of these places don't have an actual salary. You get free room and board for your work. The ones we have met actually belong to a region so to speak and split there locations up over this region. Will stay a couple of months at a time a certain location.

Some of the work may include cleaning of the bath houses. That was the case at Cloudland Canyon at Trenton GA.

To me it would be great to be able to stay some extended times at these places cost free. The OtterCreek camp on the Blue Ridge Parkway was co-located with a parkway rest stop area. Three meals day was included with the free room and board there.

Some places the host runs the checkins... This was true at Arrow Creek Camp near Cosby TN... We used to always stay there when visiting gatlinburg TN areas and they asked us several times if we wanted to be host there...

You will need to look good and find the best spot for you.

I suppose some places pay for the service but haven't really researched any of that. All I have ever known about was free room and board for your trailer setup for your service.

Our local camp ground being at westmoreland State park has the host located at one of the bigger camping zones. He moves around all over the whole Westmoreland Camp sites areas. It has been the same guy and his dog there for all the years we have been using Westmoreland haha. His trailer stays there the year around. I go there alot in the winter and play with my OFF-ROAD trailer mods sometimes. There is no gaurds on the gates when off season but I always go check with the Ranger station and they just let me stay as long as I like. There is no facilities or power available just the camping spot... This site has paid rangers and crews there that keeps the roads up and cottages cleaned as well as all of the rest rooms. Not real sure what the host has to do. We occasionally see him walking around the A-Section with his dog when we go over there looking for more firewood. We always camp at the B area... You probably will have to compete big times for the real good places haha...

We thought about doing that too as well when we retired but never followed thru with it anywhere.

Roy Ken