If Your Work Camping Job Is Not What You Thought
Our campsite. Brrr!!!!
I was so excited to go to a work camping job that had many scenic opportunities, a safe and FREE place to stay, good money to earn, get away from the heat and experience a little cooler conditions in the summer, and learn a new skill. We were told what hours we would work, days off and site accommodations. My husband and I were both excited and agreed if this worked out we might come up to the same place each year until we do not have to work camp. Wellll……
Not quite.
Not even close.
Sometimes I am so ready to leave this workcamping job.
But….
I have read so many times that people who were promised hours to work, a set schedule, amazing places to visit, and then let down. They have to work more hours than what was discussed during the interview or job offer, or the opposite, not enough hours. The site looks unkempt, disorderly and you wonder if it is safe for you and the RV to stay there. The pay was less than was discussed and you realize that it is not enough to sustain your fulltime rv life. I understand as that is how we feel right now. But what to do? Give up and leave or stick it out?
I hate snow.
Lets take a look at some tips we might consider:
Leave. Yep, you have your house on wheels and could easily leave. There are plenty of jobs that could use your hard working, honest skills out there!
Stay. If you think the pros are more than the cons, then stay. You might still have bad days and those cons come lurking at you often making you question if you REALLY want to stay. But if there are plenty to do and see and you are not sure if you will come that way again, then see if you can stick it out. I understand as we have been at a place like that, and yes, there were good and bad days, but when we had our days off, I really made an effort for us to see those beautiful places. Definitely worth it! Here is a link to a blog about the reality of work camping!
Talk to the boss. Find out what is required and compare it to your original interview. If things have changed, maybe find a happy resolution if possible. The boss might not be aware of how things have changed since you got to the campground and there could be room for negotiation. I talked to my boss and found out some things and still in the process of working out things.
When planning to work camp, ASK questions. This is where we failed. I used to tell my kids there is no such thing as a stupid question. I should listen to my own advice! Get detailed with the manager or whomever is interviewing you. Write down questions and the answers. Think about the job offer and wait to give an answer.
Read reviews of other work campers and the jobs they had worked at. There are Facebook groups out there for workcamping reviews. I am a member of Workcamper News, and it is a GREAT resource with YOU in mind. It has an annual subscription (low fee), but I think it is worth it as you can find jobs on there, make a resume and especially workcamping reviews. I avoided one place for us to work due to the bad reviews at a campground. But there are also good reviews too.
Don’t rush to get a workcamping job. There are plenty out there! Take your time to look, and see what benefits they offer, such as free laundry, discounted propane, a decent camp site with full hookups, maybe pay if you are desiring that. I also look to see what shopping they offer in the town we would be staying in. This is so important!
Impending storm coming as we hike.
This is a small handful of items to help you make not only a future work camping decision, but also if you are in a place you do not like or the work is not what you desired, you certainly have options. Please feel free to comment on your work camping experiences!
Here are some places I recommend for work camping jobs:
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