Workamping

What is Workamping?

When Workamper News coined the word Workamper, and made it their trademark back in 1987, they had no idea that 27 years later it would be so widely used.  Nearly all RVers have at least heard the word, and most know what it means, or maybe they think they know.  However, there are a few misconceptions about who Workampers are and what Workamping is.

Who Workamps?

The most common misconceptions are that Workampers are retirees who work in campgrounds, and that Workamping means trading work for a place to park an RV.

Lots of jobs to do at a campground!

First of all, not all Workampers are retired.  In fact, less than half of all Workampers consider themselves retired.  With the median age being 53, it is obvious that the majority of Workampers are not drawing a pension and cannot subsist on rent-free camping alone.

Secondly, Workamping includes any activity that involves the exchange of man/woman hours for anything of value.

While you won’t find the word Workamper in Webster’s dictionary, you will find it in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The official definition goes as follows:

Workampers are 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 (or on-site housing), you are a Workamper!

“Work Camper” with a “C”, also a registered trademark, denotes RVers who volunteer for charitable organizations such as Habitat For Humanity or the Christian Ministry in National Parks.

Please note that the definition says nothing about “retirement” or “campgrounds”.  If you sleep in an RV at night and you conduct any activity in exchange for anything of value, you are a Workamper!  While this definition could technically include such wide-ranging occupations as construction workers and race-car drivers, you probably won’t hear Dale Earnhart, Jr. referred to as a Workamper!  When we use the word Workamper, we are realistically referring to people whose activities relate primarily to the outdoor hospitality industry.

Regular readers of Workamper News know that the majority of Workampers share their talents and experience in campgrounds, resorts, guest ranches, theme parks, marinas, wildlife preserves, plus state, national and regional parks and forests.

However, many other Workampers choose less traveled paths to Workamping bliss, via less stationary jobs such as utility inspectors, field reps, carnival/circus crew members, ad sales, NASCAR ushers, souvenir vendors, etc.  And yet, other Workampers operate businesses on wheels, such as flea market/craft vendors, cell phone/satellite sales, mobile food service, mobile RV repair/service, RV inspectors, you-name-it.

Some Workampers are in the enviable position of managing their business back home, via cell phones and the internet, while they are traveling. Literally any kind of business can and is being conducted from the road. Because of their entrepreneurial spirit, we sometimes call these folks Workamprenuers.

So, the bottom line is that Workamping can be anything you want it to be.  The following list of job titles is a sampling of job titles pulled from past issues of Workamper News and Workamper.com.  Maybe you’ll see something that intrigues you.  If not, use your imagination, and consider taking advantage of Workamper News “Situations Wanted” ads and Awesome Applicants resumé database to find the job that fits your particular needs.  Tell them the RV inspectors, Howard and Pam sent you!

Campgrounds & RV Parks (commercial & government):

• Activity Director/Entertainer
• Camp Host
• Assistant Manager
• Manager
• Off-season Caretaker
• Maintenance Supervisor
• Relief Manager
• Membership Sales
• Naturalist/Interpreter
• Contract Gate Attendant
• Volunteer Park Attendant
• Camp Host Coordinator

Theme Parks/Amusement Parks/Tourist Attractions/Circuses/Carnivals

• Retail Sales
• Ride Operator
• Tram Driver
• Security
• Food Service
• Ticket Office
• Actor/Performer
• Musician
• Groundskeeper
• Petting Zoo Attendant

Dude Ranches/Outdoor Outfitters/Lodges/Cabins/Motels/Retreats

• River Guide
• Canoe Livery Driver
• Wrangler
• Cooks
• Food Service
• Housekeeper
• Reservations/Front Desk
• Housekeeping Supervisor
• Off-season Caretaker
• Grounds Supervisor
• Livestock Tender

Motorsports

• Usher
• Ticket Stubber
• Parking Attendant
• Security
• Concessions
• Souvenir Sales
• Campground Attendant
• Campground Manager

Business & Income Opportunities

• RV park snack bar for lease
• Campgrounds For Sale/Lease
• Map Sales
• Souvenir/Award Sales
• Power Tool Distributor
• Aerial Photo Sales
• Forwarding/Message Service Sales

Career Opportunities

• Director of Education
• General Manager
• Operations Manager
• Park Management Team
• Assistant Manager

Other

• RV Delivery Driver
• Utility Inspector
• Campground Inspector
• Park Map Sales
• Field Rep
• Kiosk Sales
• Gift Shop clerk
• Golf Course Attendant
• Tour Guide
• RV Technician
• RV Inspector
• RV Sales
• Estate/Property Sitter
• Airport Attendant

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