Work Camping

OK, all of you smart people out there with work camping experience, I’d like some input.

My chief of staff and I are looking for a work camper position this summer. We don't need the $$, but won't work for site only.

We’ve done the workcamper.com site and have mixed feelings about that system. Is there an alternative? Perhaps a site that side steps the BS associated with working the system.
We have no interest in being employed by a military CG.

Suggestions?

Workamper magazine ( www.workamper.com ) is going to be your best source of information. I receive their bi-monthly magazine, but never use their website. This gives you thousands of possible seasonal positions (pay, little pay, no pay) without the politics.

Too bad you didn't respond a few months ago. I was looking to hire a dozen camp hosts for the Tahoe National Forest, CA. I'm currently full now. However, I know of an available management position at Hume Lake in the Sequoia National Forest, CA. That's how I started with this company a couple years ago. Unfortunately, there's no electric at this host site, just water, sewer, and phone. More info at www.clm-services.com .

I also REFUSE to work for a free site and I REFUSE to only work for $5 an hour. However, I understand many people prefer just to be volunteers.

Another website to look at is www.coolworks.com .

Just Google, workcampers, there are a couple of good sites that will come up. Then you and only you have to decide just what it is your looking for. As larry said, I won't work for 5.00 dollars an hour, or, just my campsite. I'm currently working at Dollywood. Not trying to sell Dollywood. Will probably be my last year there, and start looking for something else. The good thing about working with a lot of campers is word of mouth and you get some good tips and info, about other employment. Just do your research, and again, only you can decide what you want to do.

d.bentley

L> Appreciate the info on clm. I can do without FHU, but it's not something I want to do for any length of time. I got enough of that "camping" thing in the Army. I did check out coolworks and sent off a few emails. The name of the site pretty much tracks with the jobs.

G> Since I have been to that area frequently and really like it, I did look into Dollywood. Nothing available when I checked. I suppose one has to apply early.

The biggest problem might be that our first and only work camper job was one where we were given free reign to do just about anything that we wanted. They got a whole lot more than they paid for, but we really enjoyed using our many talents to do something other than just cleaning latrines. Consequently, we are now pretty selective as to who we would work for. That presents a problem in that I haven't figured out a tactful way to tell an employer that fact. I recently told one interviewer that my wife and I were interchangealbe parts - meaning that either of us could do the other's job. The response was, "well, does your wife mind housekeeping duties?"

Oh well, if we don't get that near-perfect job, then so be it. We'll do what the Marines do...Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.

When I retired, maybe I shouldn't have skipped that briefing on how to get a job in the civilian market. :dry:

The best time to apply for any of these seasonal jobs is at the end of the year and beginning of next. Right now Dollywood/Disney are hiring, but with the things are right now, those jobs will probably go fast.

d.bentley

I know of workamping positions for a couple that just became available in the Sierra National Forest, CA. 40hrs/week paid EACH person. She would be a camp host, he would be maintenance. Free site is W/S/E at Rancheria Campground, located on Huntington Lake, 80 miles from Fresno, CA at the 7000' elevation.

PM if interested.