Trial run at this fulltimin' workkamp stuff

[gitchermotorrun]

Well, a year and half into our fulltime RVing adventures in retirement and we tested the waters of.......sorta workkamping. We spent last winter building our nest in Rockport, Tx becoming "Winter Texans" after five attempts at procuring our Texas DLs and registering our rigs as Texas rigs. We set out to "volunteer" host at a Forest Service Campground near Hiawassee, Ga that was to pay a small ($350)stipend for expenses, which is common with the volunteer hosting programs across the country with the FS. About March we were told there wouldn't be a stipend, that we would be given hookups as compensation for our attention to the campground. Upon arrival we were told that the only duty we were expected to perform for our "keep" was to prepare and post reservation cards on each site each day. That was it! Easy! No toilet cleaning, no garbage detail. Well, with the inattentiveness of the FS crew and the Law Enforcement spread thin over three states, the "easy" evolved into a pain in the butt. First the reservation company couldn't seem to stick to their own policy of "switching" reservations for folks arriving and not being satisfied (or unable) to use their reserve site and wanting to change to another. We were caught in the middle and sympathized with the campers. The job evolved into "Campground Manager" position with no pay. 24/7, with little time to enjoy the beautiful NC and Ga country that we came to love. Of course there was no cable hookup and no Wifi, that was totally on us to pay for. But between the FS and the reservation company the "volunteer" program we were so elated to initiate in April, became a nightmare of free labor for both the FS and the RC. So, with a cap full of stress, and empty pockets, we decided to cut it short a couple of months. So, we chalked this up to experience, but we also appreciated the opportunity and chance to live in a beautiful campground in the NC mountains. I retired from the FS as a law enforcement officer last fall and this "job" was easy for me to transition into since I already knew the regs that went with the operations of the campground. Too easy to be taken for granted I guess. But we are now taking our time getting back to good ol' home where it's still too blazing hot for this Montana boy.

[Honorman]

gitchermotorrunnin' wrote:

DianneOK wrote:
We have also been in that position....learn from it and try again ! My hubby is retired LEO, 30 years...and it is hard to leave that in the past. We volunteed and workcamped for our 9 years of fulltiming. At the end....we were trying to figure out how to have a campground with no campers 🙂

Haa! I read that last line to my DW and we both had a good laugh. But in reality, the campers were fun to interact with since my experience was with the public in my working years. And it was pure pleasure experiencing the "Southern Hospitality" of the area. It's hard to put down the CFRs in my head and act normal, but I doubt that will every dissolve. The idea was to save $ this summer to help supplement our rent through the winters and enjoy some new culture and scenery near the water. (addicted to fishing). I think next summer we will be looking into something similar in Arkansas around Greer's Ferry. We have grandkids in Bentonville, Ar., so that will be an added bonus to the trip.

I suppose I won't really be retired until I quit working completely and get serious about chasing fish.

Yes,For sure Check out the CEO campgrounds around Rogers, AR (next door to Bentonville).

We live within a mile of Greers Ferry Lake and it is quite a drive to Rogers Bentonville area,

We never camp on Greers Ferry, we go to Rogers, AR area to site see and check out the craft shows and other things.

I guess we just don't like camping in our back yard, plus the trip is half the fun, the reason we bought a motor home in place of trailer.

but like I said it is a long drive to Rogers area and they have a lot of good campgrounds to camp in.

[2gypsies1]

I was also going to suggest you try the Corp of Engineers parks. There are lots in Arkansas and Missouri. They're great parks. Good luck and don't give up yet. We have had some wonderful volunteer experiences with national parks, state parks and Fish & Wildlife. We haven't done any forest service. You'll find one just made for you!

[DianneOK]

Lol....McGrath??????

[missourijan]

Just an FYI, there's a COE park just outside of Rogers, AR (next door to Bentonville) that we visit every year because my sister lives in Rogers. Prairie Creek has one couple that is in the paid position and stays year round but there are other volunteer positions (full hookup). There is a COE office in Rogers, I think it's the Little Rock District. This is our first summer working at a cg in several years and now I remember why DianneOK. We usually work the winters in CA, it is much quieter and so few campers.

[Old-Biscuit]

That's why when I retired..I retired.

Travel when and where we want.......no commitments.

[I_am_still_wayn]

May I suggest that you NOT volunteer for the very same organization you retired from and perform many of the same functions you did when you worked. Volunteering is fun and a great way to enjoy an area on the cheap. But I suspect you probably overstepped your volunteer authority causing you some grief since you knew the laws and how the organization worked. Also, after over 6000 hours of volunteer work, I learned very quick that campground hosting was not for me. You have no break, and campers require attention 24/7. Working at daycare would be easier.

[gitchermotorrun]

DianneOK wrote:
We have also been in that position....learn from it and try again ! My hubby is retired LEO, 30 years...and it is hard to leave that in the past. We volunteed and workcamped for our 9 years of fulltiming. At the end....we were trying to figure out how to have a campground with no campers 🙂

Haa! I read that last line to my DW and we both had a good laugh. But in reality, the campers were fun to interact with since my experience was with the public in my working years. And it was pure pleasure experiencing the "Southern Hospitality" of the area. It's hard to put down the CFRs in my head and act normal, but I doubt that will every dissolve. The idea was to save $ this summer to help supplement our rent through the winters and enjoy some new culture and scenery near the water. (addicted to fishing). I think next summer we will be looking into something similar in Arkansas around Greer's Ferry. We have grandkids in Bentonville, Ar., so that will be an added bonus to the trip.

I suppose I won't really be retired until I quit working completely and get serious about chasing fish.

[HappyKayakers]

DianneOK wrote:
At the end....we were trying to figure out how to have a campground with no campers 🙂

Like you've been reading my mind :R

[stickdog]

We've finished three volunteers camp hosting positions, two with state agencies and one with USFS. Of the three Florida wins hands down it may have been the local park management team but of the three it's the only one I would return to. Our most pleasurable volunteer experiences have been with USF&W.

[wepampercampers]

If you get in a high elevation campground, the season is shorter. Get in with a concessionaire who'll let you come in early and stay late. 🙂

[DianneOK]

We have also been in that position....learn from it and try again ! My hubby is retired LEO, 30 years...and it is hard to leave that in the past. We volunteed and workcamped for our 9 years of fulltiming. At the end....we were trying to figure out how to have a campground with no campers 🙂