Workcamping delima

[buddyboy]

I am workcaming for a private campground which is close to home, a nice place but was hoping to do much more of outdoor work/ recreation/
maintainance. The cash register/ registration is just not my bag. I have worked for the state parks before but like the private as it is half pay half trade. Oh dear what to do...I am registered with workcamper.com although I hate giving notices.

[buddyboy]

I am workcaming for a private campground which is close to home, a nice place but was hoping to do much more of outdoor work/ recreation/
maintainance. The cash register/ registration is just not my bag. I have worked for the state parks before but like the private as it is half pay half trade. Oh dear what to do...I am registered with workcamper.com although I hate giving notices.

[RichB]

Just my opinion, but I'd stick it out just for the experience. Next time you might get more of what you want, or the next job might have you being a supervisor for those doing what you are doing now.

Each job will have downsides as well as upsides. Try to find the best of this job and apply it towards the next job.

[Workers On The Go]

Working for a campground is like working a real job. Its not a one way street, its a two way street. The employer has the option to let you go if things don't work out just like with a real job. So if you are not happy, why not explain to your employer that you are not happy? Ask if you can do the outdoor work/ recreation/maintainance rather than the cash register/ registration inside work. If the employer cannot work with you then you need to decide what you want to do. You always have the option of giving your two week notice just like with any real job.

Happy Trails

[Gary RVRoamer]

ClassAct is right - the first step is to talk it over with your employer and see if something can be worked out. Hopefully they can get you outside and find someone to replace you at registration.

But how did you end up with a front desk job if you wanted outside & maintenance? It is most important to learn what your duties (and pay) will be before you accept a workamping job.

In my opinion, once you accept a seasonal workamping job you have a moral obligation to stick it out for the season. Giving two weeks notice and leaving the campground in the lurch in mid-season gives all workampers a poor rep. It's only 3 months in most places and most anything can be endured for that long. And, as Rich B says, you are gaining valuable experience and insight, even if you never do it again. Believe me, front desk work will change your views about other campers - and campground policies - forever!

But if you can't work something out and cannot abide what you are doing, then give as much notice as possible and exit gracefully.

[Workers On The Go]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> In my opinion, once you accept a seasonal workamping job you have a moral obligation to stick it out for the season. Giving two weeks notice and leaving the campground in the lurch in mid-season gives all workampers a poor rep. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
But if you are not being treated fairly and the employer will not work it out ... should you stay and be miserable??

[LarryM]

Generally our experiences with workamping have been unsatisfactory. We have been very careful in having CG owners full detail what is expected of us before hiring on. In all cases, we have had these owners expand our hours and duties far beyond what had been detailed in the employment contract. In those cases, we feel that a 2 week notice was more than fair as we were not the ones unilaterally amending the contract. If it aint fun, we are outta there!

[Workers On The Go]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> We have been very careful in having CG owners full detail what is expected of us before hiring on. In all cases, we have had these owners expand our hours and duties far beyond what had been detailed in the employment contract. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Larry, it seems this is happening more and more. I talk with work campers everyday. It seems that the ones that are most contented are the "voluntary" work campers at State Parks or National Parks. I guess, just like with a regular job ... there are good employers and bad ones.

Happy Trails

[Texas Bubba]

Expecting to get flamed, I am going to comment anyway. I have volunteered for three years and have workamped for three years and have some comments to make on the differences. In general, when you volunteer you have a lot of control over what you do and don't do. In some cases they can be very strict on what is required, but in general a lot of flexability is given to the volunteers in what they do.
When workamping it is completly different. Because most of us are retired we somehow feel that if we workamp it is not the same as when we had a "real" job. Wrong! You are still working for someone for pay, regardless if the pay is partially made up of camping fees and some in cash. As in the "real" world, almost all jobs have a statement of some such that says "and any other task as may be assigned from time to time". Because you are retired and don't feel that these workamping postions are "real" jobs, the folks that hire us still are running business's and have to make it work day to day. I am finishing my third season at this locations and although I love it and plan to return for a fourth year, I sometimes have to do things I don't enjoy. Just because you are a workamper does not mean you can tell the boss how to run his/her business.If you don't want to work and take orders, volunteer! But if you accept a paycheck, resign yourself to the fact that you are going to have to do whatever task is assigned for the day or don't take the job. Mostly this stuff is fun and low pressure, there are bad days and days that make one wonder why we are doing it.
When we hire people for the summer, we make them sign a form that states, "you must work outside in the heat, rain and cold for the entir shift you are assigned". It also states, "you will be on your feet for your entire shift". They all sign it, but when it gets cold, rainy or very hot, we still have people say, "I never had to do this in my "real" job, and don't understand why you want me to work so hard!!!!
My speach is over
Have fun!!!

[Workers On The Go]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> They all sign it, but when it gets cold, rainy or very hot, we still have people say, "I never had to do this in my "real" job, and don't understand why you want me to work so hard!!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
So true! I wonder why they take campground jobs where most of the work is outside? Or is that they can't see past the FREE campsite?

But it is also true that many drive hundreds of miles to find that the job is not exactly as described. They go ahead since they are already there and try to work it out.

For every bad situation there is a good one.

Happy Trails

[Workers On The Go]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>IMHO, a lot of folks are experiencing their "first" work camping experience. They did not have the experience to know what they were getting into nor did they know how to get out of it. All I can offer is to ask as many questions as posible, get it in writing and look for something close to home. That way if it doesn't work out you will not be out a lot of money for gas. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I will have to agree. Ask as many questions and get the hours and what the pay will be in writing. Also get job duties in writing and the exact hours to be worked for the site, if any.

[Doggie]

I took a volunteer camp host position at a state park in SD this year. (First volunteer work ever) I signed up until Sept. 30, but after 60 days I'm real tired of this place.
BUT, on the other hand, right now it's 90+ degrees almost everywhere and I am really enjoying sitting in air conditioned comfort with free electricity. I am also doing the bare minimum as far as work is concerned and I have no traveling costs.
The mistake I made was getting a late start in finding a position and taking one where the fishing isn't so good. The camground manager misled me about the fishing, so I would add that one should be very specific in asking questions before taking a position.

[phishboy]

We are also here in SD, at a private campground. Job is OK here, but can't wait for it to be over. We are really tired of the heat. Of course, that is everywhere this year, but the hot days are just sucking the joy out of being here. We have "hitch itch" and want to get moving again!!! We got into SD in May. What we have decided to try next year is going for shorter contacts. We will either volunteer for state park jobs that are 30-60 days in one place, or we will watch the workamper news hotline and jump in to fill in positions that open mid-season. Last winter we were in FL for six months and that is toooo looong in one place. We will stick this job out though. Its Bike Week this week, and it will a lot of chaos. But we get a free site when everyone else is paying to be here!

[aerbus gang]

Workampers need to talk to the owners and explain what they expect. And tell the owners what he/she can or will do. I get info on phone, then have them mail hard copy, of job discreption. I have evrything cut and dry before I head to a new job. Also check out campground management at Workamper.com