KOA Work Kampers

[dmason]

Just ran across KOA Work Kamper . . . on a KOA site of course. Anybody have any intel on them compared to the Workamper group. Same setup - free FHU site plus pay for hours worked in excess of minimum.

[bdickson]

There is information on the KOA website here:
Community Camping Programs and Outreach from KOA | Work Kamper Program | KOA Campgrounds

[Mr_D]

Could be the same. But I really dislike KOA's in general so I wouldn't work for them anyway.

[ezspdr]

There is a $35.00 fee to join their Work Camper program. Seems like a rip off to me.

[glarnold]

Originally Posted by ezspdr

There is a $35.00 fee to join their Work Camper program. Seems like a rip off to me.

And how much is it to join the other Workamper program?

G L Arnold

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Could be the same. But I really dislike KOA's in general so I wouldn't work for them anyway.

Certainly be my last choice as well.

Ken

[JFXG]

KOA is the Holiday Inn of the campground world. Nothing overly special, certainly not luxurious, but usually OK, sometimes friendly and homey, and rarely disgustingly unkempt. In other words, no big surprises. You can call them if you need an overnight spot, and be confident that it will be ok. We've used them a few times, and have no cause for complaint.

[WannaBFlTmer]

Depends completely on the park management. Our local KOA is awesome. Professional, friendly, and very helpful. I had an emergency trip to hospital (health issue, not accident)-owner stayed with my then 86 year old mother at campsight until friends arrived to get motorhome; fun events for kids; incredibly clean and beautifully landscaped. Petoskey, Michigan KOA is even more beautiful and service its top notch. Mostly late 50/60s work kampers who know how to make you welcome. One worker spent an hour with my wife and me talking about working for KOA-the good ones and bad. So my advice-don't just accept a broad judgement until you see the individual park. Ask for references from previous workers. You may find a gem!

[TheArnolds]

Before I purchased my RV we traveled and stayed at chain hotels (3-4 star range) and belonged to their frequent stayer programs. The condition and service received was very much dependent on the management and their staff...some good, some not so good but I knew what the average standard should be and I seldom was surprised. I look at KOA's the same way, thay are a chain campground and if I am on the road and I am looking for something more then a Walmart parking lot I always pick a KOA if one is available because I know basically what I will get and I have never been so disappointed that I would pull back out on the road and continue to drive. On the other hand I have pulled in and pulled out of several no-name campgrounds picked in route because they were little better then a Walmart or Flying J parking lot.

[WannaBFlTmer]

I'm 58-came from a serious deep-woods camping family where flush toilets were considered unnecessary luxury, and if you could see the sky you didn't get a good camp site. Well when this new chain called KOA started popping up all over, we would laugh and poke fun-seemed none of them had mature trees. We would joke, "Hey there's a field! Let's build a KOA!"; or when passing a nice stand of evergreens,"We should cut these all down and make a campground!" Who is laughing now? What a business model! Buy sometimes scruffy land -anywhere-and create a campground from scratch! Plant the trees based on campground and site layout; focus on name-brand recognition and saturation; make the product consistent and predictable; and price it to attract a specific family/safety-conscious demographic. Brilliant! I don't make fun of them anymore. Just wish I had purchased stock early.

[bsirby]

My DH and I have worked as KOA workkampers for 2 years now. The site is user friendly and job opportunities are posted for you to search by state. We signed up and paid for Workkampers News.com and hated it. KOA charged us $35.00 for the year which is not a bad price to see thousands of job opportunities. Workkamper News, I think charged us $40.00 and the site was not user friendly and I had trouble narrowing my search to one state. We have worked for the franchise KOA and corporate owned KOA. I prefer corporate campgrounds for fair pay and fair site charges, as well as nice discounts for their workers. Some of the franchise do not want to pay you or charge way too much for your site. As for trees? I have been to many KOA's that are wooded and may private campsites that are not. Right now we are at Cape Hatteras KOA and not a tree in sight, but then we are on a barrier island and you don't see alot of trees out here. It all depends on the location. You may not like camping at KOA's because of price, etc., but that doesn't mean it is not a good place to work. Another plus is you work for the length of time that suites you. We work 5 months of the year and travel the other 7 months. Works great for us. Hope that helps you. If you need more feedback, feel free to send me a pm. Brenda

[browne07]

I am with Bsirby on this. Can't figure out why people bash KOA in general. Maybe had a bad experience and then label the entire organization or do not like corporate America. If the reason is the type of campground versus say a state park or the price then that should be stated what is preferred.

[whem2fish]

I have no problem with the I full timed there in DFW for 6 months they paid the people $10 a hour their electricity was free and their rent was $150 I could retire at that and might

[malexander]

I love KOAs. TheArnolds description is spot on. Seems funny though that almost every KOA I've stayed in, is next to a railroad track. Hidden of course, by trees. You only find out at 4 o'clock the next morning.But I'll pick a KOA if I'm in "unknown" territory.