Kathy and I retired (from full time work) at the end of August 2016 and started our full time RV’ing lifestyle with the intention of “workamping” our way across the country and seeing as much as we can, making new friends, and experiencing things we wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience had we stayed at “home”.
The reason we chose to workamp was two-fold. First of all, we are not independently wealthy so we couldn’t just travel full time. Diesel fuel and the nightly rate at most camprounds and RV parks can really hurt a budget quickly if you go from place to place to place.
But relying on our retirement pension and social security and secondly, working along the way seemed a great way to be able to travel and meet new folks. Workamping supplements our income, allows us to travel, and meet new friends.
We are currently one of 3 workamper couples in this RV park in Arizona. We are here for a six month commitment (Sept 15 – March 15) and we work 2 days each week. In exchange for our two (6 hour) days we receive; lot rent, electricity, propane gas, wifi, & laundry. And we then have 5 days each week to ourselves to goof off and do some sight-seeing around the area. Last week we went to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and early December will find us at Zion and Brice National Parks. Our next position will be in northern Michigan for the summer of 2017 and we’re hoping to land a workamping position in central Florida the following winter.
But what does a workamper do? Workampers typically (and this may vary from one place to another); work in the office greeting and registering new campers, cut grass, clean the laundry and bathrooms, perform light maintenance, help park new campers, act as goodwill ambassadors, and be available to help campers and answer questions. Some get their sites in exchange for their work while others get paid (typically minimum wage) but may have to pay for some or all of their site and services.
I shot this video to show you what one of my typical days consists of.
Fantastic post!! Very informative!!
Loved the ‘day in the life’! When I come to see you next month hopefully you work that Saturday so I can be the ride-along! Miss you guys and see you soon.
We are looking forward to seeing you as well, there is so much to show you out here, we’ll have a great time together.