We have been here just 4 1/2 months… and here we go again! We are soon to be onto the fourth round of park “managers”. Couple #3 is out of here today. The time they last seems to be getting even shorter! The first couple lasted 2 months. Second couple 6 weeks. Third couple 5 1/2 weeks. Shall we place bets on how long couple #4 lasts??
They have all left, whether voluntary or involuntary or mutual, for different reasons. But one thing is for sure… they all came here with an unclear picture of the job. After they got here, it wasn’t what they “expected”… whatever those expectations were.
When we inquire about a workamping or camp hosting job, we ask a lot of questions, and we make sure we get clear answers… preferably in writing. I like to summarize my understanding, with specifics about the issues that are important to us, and put it into an email… then I make sure I get an email response. This way if it doesn’t turn out to be what we agreed to, I have my “letter of understanding” to back us up. It may not change things, but if we decided to leave early because it wasn’t what we agreed to, we wouldn’t be in the wrong. I also like to get a picture of our site… this will be our home for a few months, so we want to be comfortable. We like to keep to our commitments… and park owners, business owners, host coordinators all like to find people that will keep to their commitments.
So if we were ALL (Owners/Employers AND Workampers) honest and clear about the details and expectations… this hiring, quitting, firing, rehiring wouldn’t keep repeating itself!
So what does this latest change mean for us? We’re sticking it out.
The owners have hired another couple who will be coming here from Washington in a week or two. They have experience, and hopefully they have clear expectations. Either that or they have a “go with the flow” attitude… an attitude far from the personalities of the last 3 couples who have come and go.
Workamping is not for people out to make lots of money. nor is it for people on a power trip. Workamping is not for people with something to prove. Workampers are usually full-time RVers. If you’re old enough to be a full-time RVer you should have proven yourself by now. If you haven’t by now… you may need to give up on that.
Full-time RV life is suppose to be fun! But it doesn’t have to be playtime everyday. Some FT RVers are workampers or park hosts because they just like to have something to do, a little responsibility a few days a week. Some are workampers because they need a few extra dollars to live this dream life! It IS a dream life… and we should be thankful we are able to do it, however we are able to do it. If we want it to work for us we need to make it work for us. If we need to prove ourselves or make lots of money… maybe we should just go back to sticks & bricks, rush hour traffic, and the 9 to 5 rat race. But NOT US… We choose to make the best of every day we have this life! and we will do what we need to do to keep this life!
Ok… I’m stepping off my soapbox, now.
Not sure if all the people leaving are all in the wrong. How could so many find the job not to their liking? Seems strange. They are lucky you two are staying. They will need someone that knows the ropes.
ReplyDeleteThe perfect attitude...go with the flo :). Jerry and I also look at it as, we can do anything for a short time. Work camping jobs are not permanent. If we like it, we will return. If we don't, we won't come again. When asked if we would return to Amazon, our answer is no. But we finished our commitment! That was important to us.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your tip about getting a photo of your site and for getting an email "letter of understanding." Being so new to this full-time RV lifestyle, we love hearing about other people's work camping experiences.
Thanks for the good review of things to consider. Getting a picture of your site is a great idea. Sometimes people don't know what questions to ask, and end up with unrealistic expectations as a result. Doing as you do is the most sensible way. If you're there when we come through later this month, we 'll stop by and see you guys!
ReplyDeleteI understand exactly where you are coming from. We have worked with 70-somethings who act as if they are out to prove themselves. Really??? They should have done that decades ago! LOL
ReplyDeleteI like your attitude! Good luck with the new managers.
ReplyDeleteA very good post.
ReplyDeleteWhat is driving the managers away? We have been workcamping for 5 years now and have never left a job before our time was up. I wanted to once but I had given my word and I stuck to it. I would never want to manage a park. It always turns into a 24/7 job. If you take that post thinking it is anything else, shame on you. The managers here have people knocking on their door at all hours. Some of the time it is something serious, sometimes not. I have had to call the manager on his day off to return to the park because of water break. It seems to never end. You have to like the job and the people or you will never make it. GO WITH THE FLOW is the secret to being happy.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and great ideas. Keep it coming. Hope to meet up sometime this summer.
well they use the title "manager" in their ad, but really the park has 2 workamper couples. One couple works 5 days the other 2 days. Both couples have the same responsibility on their work days. This job is not overwhelming, even when we work it 7 days a week. Its really just an attitude problem.
DeleteI can't believe its happened again. I liked all your suggestions. It is frustrating when the employer is not clear on the job situation. We had that happen at our lat spot but we still stuck it out because we like you we stand by our commitments.I know we need to learn to ask more questions and I love the idea of getting a photo of your camping spot. March is just around the corner. Just think of all the great times we'll have traveling out east!
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