An old saying goes, “This is why we can’t have nice things.” It references how some people will ruin privileges for the rest of us. And, now, we’re starting to hear about a problem with workampers that’s concerning.
We’ve already seen a problem with some RVers abusing the invitations offered for overnight stays at places like Walmart stores. They decided “overnight stay” translates into “free campsites,” and that’s not what stores intended.
Workamping is working in exchange for a free campsite, usually with utilities included. Some positions might also offer an hourly wage in addition to the free campsite. It’s a great way to experience new places, meet new people, and save money on travel expenses.
Jessi and I often pay for our campsites each winter by workamping. I tend to work on a maintenance team or as a campground host in exchange for a free full-hookup RV site. (When our refrigerator failed last summer, it was a blessing to be workamping!)
The number of hours I work varies from state to state. I have generally worked 20 to 24 hours per week. I know the state park I am working at next winter will require 25 hours per week, which is acceptable. Any more than 25 hours per site starts to move into the full-time job category and may be asking too much for the value of the campsite. Some places are even requiring hours per person instead of just per site. That’s when the hours vs. value scale can get unbalanced.
So, yes, employers aren’t always perfect. But one of the things that frustrates me more is what I am hearing lately about other workampers. Workamping is a job, and if you aren’t going to take it seriously or you aren’t going to put your all into it as a volunteer, then all you’re doing is giving the rest of us a poor reputation. I have always been a person who gives 110% of whatever I am working on. I’m not expecting everyone to be like that, but at least show up and do your best work.
There are several reasons to be a park host. These include volunteerism; you want to give back. State and national parks are often underfunded and understaffed and have way too many projects on their list to keep up with, let alone the day-to-day grind of maintaining a park for visitors.
But if the type of work or hours expected is too much, then don’t sign up. You’ll know that information before you agree to the position. It’s up to you to ask the right questions.
I was up for a position in a state park where the hours sounded good, and the location would be great for us. Still, when I inquired further about the setup, I found out the description on the website of a full hookup campsite for campground hosts wasn’t entirely accurate. Yes, those sites are available, but they are all filled for next winter. So they were using other sites they have for camphosts that had water and electricity but no sewer. That means you don’t have a full hookup site. They noted there is a dump station nearby in the campground.
But I don’t want to move the trailer every time we need to dump our tanks. In the Airstream, we don’t have huge waste tanks. That means a lot of maneuvering regularly, and I don’t want to do that when I’m supposed to be somewhere for three months.
In addition to “free” campsites, you can often earn park perks. You get behind-the-scenes access to things, and you can be in a park after it’s closed, so it’s a lot quieter. You can spend time in parks when it’s not publicly busy, which can be a great perk. Plus, you might learn some new skills, whether using heavy-duty lawn maintenance equipment or picking up some electrical or plumbing repair skills that you didn’t have before but that you’re going to learn from the rangers you are working with. The problem is that many employers are concerned about workampers not showing up.
Workcamper.com is a great resource for finding sites to work at. (By the way, we’re members but not affiliates.) I recently received an email from Workamper.com pleading with members to show up when they accept a gig. It’s crazy that they felt the need to send that.
But based on employers’ quotes, it’s no wonder they sent it:
“Employers need a list where we can show people who have canceled on us as that would be very helpful to not pick people who just cancel on employers. Workampers don’t realize even giving a 3 month notice, by that time it is too late to get another couple set up. Our spring people canceled and now the summer people canceled because they got a better offer for more money as employers are hurting for employees. Now this puts so much pressure on the current housekeeper staff.”
“Highest pain point with hiring Workampers for us is Workampers who feel it’s okay to take another position once they have accepted ours.”
“One of the key reasons we no longer reach out to advertise for Workampers is the true non-committal of these workers. We have experienced in the past, even with agreements in place, the ease at which the Workampers change course based on their own needs.”
The Inside Wire, April 2024, Workamper.com
These are small-business owners. They have a business to run, and if you let them down, they have to try to replace you or go without, which means that their customers will not get the service they expect.
It’s a job commitment. So, if you commit to being a digital nomad who covers some of your costs by workamping, then show up! Do a great job and earn a good reference for your next position. That way, you’ll continue to help all digital nomads shine as reliable people who truly earn a campsite.
Workamping isn’t for everyone. If it’s not for you, then find another way to earn money on the road, as there are dozens of ways to do so. But don’t say you’re a workamper and then flake out on an employer. Because you’re going to ruin it for the rest of us. Keep on trekin’, and we’ll see you out there — maybe as your campground host!