I had a post about a year in a half ago about a typical day workamping at campgrounds, but haven’t gave a whole lot of detail on how to find these jobs, or if someone wants to start doing this life style but doesn’t have a rig to haul. This post will help the new RVers that are riding on the sales of there house they just sold but have no knowledge on how to find work, and for others that can’t afford a rig but would love to live the nomadic lifestyle.
For those of you that aren’t familiar with Harvesthost, this is a program that with a paid membership will let you stay at farms, wineries, breweries, museums, and other amazing places for free while on the road in exchange but not required that you purchase something that these places sell or a service that is offered. At the farm I am currently working at, we have this program (which some of you that follow us know since you have boondocked here).
Some of the full timers that come in are brand new to this life style, that just sold there house, living on the expenses of there house, but don’t have a clue on what to do next for an income. If not planning right, expenses for food, fuel, campgrounds, and entertainment will wipe you out faster then you think. When we first started, we blew through $20,000 in about 3 months not properly planning.
http://www.workampers.com is probably the best resource if hauling a trailer, motorhome, or any other RV. With a low yearly cost of about $40.00, this will help you get a resume set up on there system, give yourself exposure to every campground across the country, receive email alerts 5 days a week of new openings across the country, let you apply to jobs, and let’s campground owners and managers contact you directly on possible opportunities. You can literally set it up, and just wait for calls to come in. I typically get 10 to 15 new positions open during a work week with 2 to 7 calls weekly on positions that are interested in hiring me. One thing that most don’t realize is that there are more campground hosting alone then they have full timers looking for work, so it’s easy to get picky of where you want to work around the country.
Have a skill? Use that skill or talent to your advantage. Most resorts have areas that you can put your services at the front office for short and long term campers to see. This can be anything from mechanical work, cutting hair, dog walking/sitting, arts and crafts, and so on. Why travel miles out of the way to get a haircut when you can just see your neighbor about getting one. Long term campers like to vacation from there vacation and need someone to care for there animals. The possibilities are endless.
Blogging. Yes that’s right, you can get paid documenting your travels as you go. This does take a lot of work, but there are many fulltime RVers that do this for a living.
Don’t have a rig and can’t afford one? Don’t let this discourage you from living a nomadic lifestyle. Places like http://www.coolworks.com have positions all over the country that you can tent camp, or even get into positions with housing and food included. Best part is, is that these jobs are all fun jobs. Examples of jobs I’ve seen is ATV riding tours in Arizona, white water rafting guides down the Colorado River with training included, kayaking tours in Alaska and the Virgin Islands, taking care of sled dogs in Alaska, hiking guides, camp counselors for kids, camphosting, working at some of the top lodges and resorts, fishing guides, and the list goes on and on. About 75 to 80% of these jobs will give you housing whether in a tent or dorm, will supply 3 meals a day, and will even pick you up from the airport if traveling greater distances.
Finding work has been a lot easier for me personally on the road then living in the sticks and bricks, and reasons for this is because:
– Your not stuck in a specific area looking for work that is close to your house. The United States, becomes your job searching area.
– There are more positions open then they have workampers on the road so your not competing against thousands of people for that one position.
Hope this information helps you out if your just starting out, or wanting to do this but fear of how you will make an income to support your journey.
RAT PACK DRIFTERS 