Burned out from the daily grind and ready to hit the road now?  Is retirement approaching and you’re looking for something to do other than just stare at the camp fire?  Consider Workamping!

Workamping is doing any kind of part-time or full-time work while living in an RV. This lifestyle is a ticket to really enjoying an area of this beautiful country without breaking the bank.

What or Who is a Workamper?

Over 28 years ago, Workamper News Inc. defined the term “Workamper”.  The official definition is “Adventuresome individuals, couples and families who have chosen a wonderful lifestyle that combines ANY kind of part-time or full-time work with RV camping. If you work as an employee, operate a business, or donate your time as a volunteer, AND you sleep in an RV - you are a Workamper!”

The most common misconceptions are that Workampers are just retirees who work in campgrounds, own a specific type of RV, and only work in trade for an RV site.

First of all, not all Workampers are retired. With the median age being 53, many Workampers are not drawing a pension or social security, and cannot subsist on rent-free camping alone.  Luckily, there are a huge variety of compensation packages in the industry.

Since our focus is about educating people on the Workamping lifestyle and helping them live it successfully, we encounter many RVers when they are just starting out.  The age of Workampers today ranges from teenagers living fulltime in an RV with their family, to hearty seniors in their 80’s – and everything in-between.  One of my favorite Workampers bought herself a truck, an Airstream trailer, and began her Workamping adventures at the age of 72!

Second, your RV type doesn’t matter.  Most businesses that employ Workampers do anticipate you’ll arrive in a hard-sided RV that can handle different types of weather.  But we know of Workampers who live simply in a converted SUV, or pull a small travel trailer, and then those who have spent twice as much on their 45 ft Class A motorhome than they did on their sticks ‘n bricks house!  While you’ll want to be open with any potential employer about your home on wheels, it should not hinder you from being a successful Workamper.

There are thousands of successful solo Workampers out there of varying ages and genders, though we do see more solo women than men in the lifestyle.  RVing families are a whole other subset of the community that is growing in numbers as parents decide to unhook from the stereotypical, American life to immerse their children in the beauty and history of this country.

Workamping jobs can be short-term or long-term, so you can be a part-time RVer (who goes back to another residence for part of the year) or a full-time RVer.  It is up to each individual to decide what his/her financial needs are, how often he/she wants to travel, and what places he/she would like to see. These are factors you need to decide on before embarking on finding your first Workamping adventure.

The majority of Workamping jobs deal with the outdoor hospitality industry, but as you review the job listings at Workamper.com and read through the many articles about different Workamping experiences, you’ll begin to see the huge variety of options and industries that Workampers can be a part of.

Although it may feel more like a vacation, at the root Workamping is still…work.  Businesses hire Workampers intending that they will be a beneficial part of their staff, fulfill the position as it was defined, and - in some cases with limited-budget entities - help keep the doors open.  The benefits of Workamping are more than just financial – you will discover a diverse and welcoming community, get to experience places and things you haven’t even imagined, and continue to learn and feel useful.
 

Workamper News has been "Helping Great People Find Great Jobs in Great Places" for over 28 years. With a bi-monthly magazine and a robust websites, this dedicated company run by an RVing family helps RVers learn about and lead a successful Workamping and RVing lifestyle.  Visit their website at www.workamper.com.

By Jody Anderson Duquette, Workamper News Editor