To the Moderator: please do not put this post in workcamping forum. That forum is DEAD. And truly this is a subject that is of interest to many who would not think to go there for this.In another posting I was the target of a somewhat unkind and needling remark of being a workcamper so it made me think.Why Do You workcamp?Now I personally workcamp to keep engaged, meet people, have the opportunity to sit still for awhile and frankly I was a workaholic most of my life and it is hard to give up entirely for sure. This is my Second "Retirement" the First was at 53. I also frankly get a bit bored just traveling around. We go to a great many museums and do a lot of things. We keep very busy even when not working. But I get something different out of working that I truly enjoy. Now don't get me wrong I don't want to ever go back to HAVING to go back to work, Thankfully I don't. But I have found that it adds alot to this Full-timing experience.So Far I have done the Unbeetable Experience (the sugar beet harvest) and now I am working in Alaska for the summer. When we came here last May my friend Cecelia and I decided we would like to come back to work a season here. So here we are (it was -19 below this am in Fairbanks)Why do you do it?Is it for the money?The engagement?Keeping busy?For Fun?Tell us your story and thoughts.

I do not know why folks work camp. I would guess reasons vary. I do know I am extremely greatful for those who do. I go out of my way to thank them every chance I get. They are the unsung heroes of our family camping experience. They seem to be the ones who clean the trashed restrooms, help campers, try to enforce the rules, get an ear full when there is a problem. I do not remember seeing camp hosts when I camped as a kid. It was the ranger. Things have sure changed from family tent camping to monster VE's with outside televisions & stereo's. Deep thanks to those who do work camp

Your posts are more and more like that 'info' commercial that you leave on for background noise I am tuning out. Bye!

We tried it to give back to our local community through the California State Park system. The problem is that the lead ranger treated all the volunteers bad! I think he Assumed that we needed the "free" spot to stay in. While that was probably true for others, it was not true for us. We went well above hours demanded, was always spot on collecting receipts and had camper's bragging about us, but we were still treated poorly. In pre-retirement job's my wife and I both had volunteers working for us and we appreciate how special they are. This unfortunately put a bad taste in our mouth to the idea of camp hosting. I'm sure we will later try the idea of being a docent somewhere, but NOT California State Parks!fulltimedaniel wrote:To the Moderator: please do not put this post in workcamping forum. That forum is DEAD. And truly this is a subject that is of interest to many who would not think to go there for this.In another posting I was the target of a somewhat unkind and needling remark of being a workcamper so it made me think.Why Do You workcamp?Now I personally workcamp to keep engaged, meet people, have the opportunity to sit still for awhile and frankly I was a workaholic most of my life and it is hard to give up entirely for sure. This is my Second "Retirement" the First was at 53. I also frankly get a bit bored just traveling around. We go to a great many museums and do a lot of things. We keep very busy even when not working. But I get something different out of working that I truly enjoy. Now don't get me wrong I don't want to ever go back to HAVING to go back to work, Thankfully I don't. But I have found that it adds alot to this Full-timing experience.So Far I have done the Unbeetable Experience (the sugar beet harvest) and now I am working in Alaska for the summer. When we came here last May my friend Cecelia and I decided we would like to come back to work a season here. So here we are (it was -19 below this am in Fairbanks)Why do you do it?Is it for the money?The engagement?Keeping busy?For Fun?Tell us your story and thoughts.

We camped in State parks for around 30 years. When we retired we felt it was time to give back. We find work camping a lot of fun. The rangers we interact with go out of their way to let us know we are appreciated, not just a warm body to use and throw away.

Old-Biscuit wrote:Your posts are more and more like that 'info' commercial that you leave on for background noise I am tuning out. Bye!Guess the old in your name says it all

Why do You Workamp (or volunteer) | Good Sam Community

Oasisbob
Explorer
Mar 21, 2017
I do not know why folks work camp. I would guess reasons vary. I do know I am extremely greatful for those who do. I go out of my way to thank them every chance I get. They are the unsung heroes of our family camping experience. They seem to be the ones who clean the trashed restrooms, help campers, try to enforce the rules, get an ear full when there is a problem. I do not remember seeing camp hosts when I camped as a kid. It was the ranger. Things have sure changed from family tent camping to monster VE's with outside televisions & stereo's. Deep thanks to those who do work camp
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 21, 2017
Your posts are more and more like that 'info' commercial that you leave on for background noise

I am tuning out. Bye!
huntram
Explorer
Mar 21, 2017
We tried it to give back to our local community through the California State Park system. The problem is that the lead ranger treated all the volunteers bad! I think he Assumed that we needed the "free" spot to stay in. While that was probably true for others, it was not true for us. We went well above hours demanded, was always spot on collecting receipts and had camper's bragging about us, but we were still treated poorly. In pre-retirement job's my wife and I both had volunteers working for us and we appreciate how special they are. This unfortunately put a bad taste in our mouth to the idea of camp hosting. I'm sure we will later try the idea of being a docent somewhere, but NOT California State Parks!

fulltimedaniel wrote:
To the Moderator: please do not put this post in workcamping forum. That forum is DEAD. And truly this is a subject that is of interest to many who would not think to go there for this.

In another posting I was the target of a somewhat unkind and needling remark of being a workcamper so it made me think.

Why Do You workcamp?

Now I personally workcamp to keep engaged, meet people, have the opportunity to sit still for awhile and frankly I was a workaholic most of my life and it is hard to give up entirely for sure. This is my Second "Retirement" the First was at 53. I also frankly get a bit bored just traveling around. We go to a great many museums and do a lot of things. We keep very busy even when not working. But I get something different out of working that I truly enjoy. Now don't get me wrong I don't want to ever go back to HAVING to go back to work, Thankfully I don't. But I have found that it adds alot to this Full-timing experience.

So Far I have done the Unbeetable Experience (the sugar beet harvest) and now I am working in Alaska for the summer. When we came here last May my friend Cecelia and I decided we would like to come back to work a season here. So here we are (it was -19 below this am in Fairbanks)

Why do you do it?

Is it for the money?

The engagement?

Keeping busy?

For Fun?

Tell us your story and thoughts.
donn0128
Explorer II
Mar 21, 2017
We camped in State parks for around 30 years. When we retired we felt it was time to give back. We find work camping a lot of fun. The rangers we interact with go out of their way to let us know we are appreciated, not just a warm body to use and throw away.
jarata1
Explorer
Mar 21, 2017
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Your posts are more and more like that 'info' commercial that you leave on for background noise

I am tuning out. Bye!

Guess the old in your name says it all
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Mar 21, 2017
We volunteer in national and state parks and also in the general community. We know how low on funds they are and they desperately need the help. We enjoy staying in those kinds of parks and want to help in any way possible. We don't do 'paid gigs' - we volunteer.

When you volunteer you get treated much, much better than if you were an employee. We were considered family. The rangers included us in sharing meals, sitting around a campfire on their day off and gave us 'secret' tours of the parks that few people know about. They really do appreciate all that you do.
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Mar 21, 2017
Our experience has been most of our workampers are doing it to stretch their budget while visiting interesting places. They find it very attractive to be able to stay in an amazing location for a few months and leave with at least as much money in their bank account as when they arrived. The combination of site value, pay, location, limited commitment and reasonable hours is the draw.
That is what we find with paid workamping positions. I am sure volunteer positions are different.
shelbyfv
Explorer
Mar 21, 2017
There is a place for this thread and it is not here.
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Mar 21, 2017
shelbyfv wrote:
There is a place for this thread and it is not here.
What is wrong with where it is placed? I am not a fan of the OP, but he was pretty clear why he thought this was the proper place and, lo and hehold, I agree. But then again, I didn't realize these forums had a layer of supervision above the moderators and administrator regarding when and where threads should run. I'll be sure to run any new threads I start past you before I place them (NOT!)
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Mar 21, 2017
I can only speak here in South Texas.. a company owned campground.

A friend likes it, grounds keeper.... 24 hour a week... gulf cart.. Free rent, Free electric and free use of washers and dryers.... (his savings of ($2,500) per winter.

I tried to get into it... Manager is a real piece of work.. him and me .. oil and water.. I asked for 2017-2018 season.... flat out NO. . he told my friend he is very short handed for next season.