“I find it difficult to believe that people think I am special because I travel alone,” Joy says. “After my 31-year marriage fell apart, I found myself at loose ends. Following a trip with my brother and his wife, my sister-in-law asked me what I’d do if I could do anything. Without hesitation, I said, ‘Workamp!’
“She answered, “Do it!” That was the beginning of my exciting new journey. I ordered Workamper News, signed up for the Hotline, and immediately applied to work at Adventureland, a theme park in Des Moines, Iowa. What a big leap of faith! I didn’t even own an RV!”
Workamper Joy Ethridge lives up to her name. In three years of different Workamping jobs, she has flashed her special smile and spread her joy from Adventureland in Iowa to Yellowstone National Park to Branson, Missouri, with stops in winter months to work for See’s Candies in Texas and Louisiana. In spring 2008, she travels to Niagara Falls for yet another Workamping job.
“We laugh a lot—and make a lot of fun working at Celebration City,” says Thomas Thomas. “The park is for grandchildren, grandparents, and teenagers. Most parents are busy working, so we see a lot of grandparents bringing kids.”
Thomas and Neoma Thomas and Earl and Sandy Womack celebrate their Workamping lifestyles at Celebration City, a family-friendly theme park in Branson, Missouri. The Womacks, starting their third season with the park known for its nighttime light show, work in merchandising, while the Thomases make tub after tub of ice cream to satisfy the guests’ craving for cold and yummy treats.
The only gold mined in Skagway came from the miners’ pockets as they bought grubstakes before heading over the Chilkoot Pass or the White Pass Trail to seek their fortunes in Canada’s Klondike Gold Fields. Today, Skagway thrives on the ambience of those wild and wooly days, preserved by the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in its headquarters and numerous other restored buildings.
Skagway, Alaska is a shopper’s mecca. From mid-May to mid-September, the town of 845 residents swells on summer days to 9,000 people. From cruise ships docked in the harbor at the head of Lynn Canal 90 miles north of Juneau, tourists stroll the streets preserved from the 1897 Gold Rush.
Soon after his departure for southern states, Ruth Ann began receiving photos on e-mail of live oaks, cabbage palms, and a canopy walk above the trees. Never having ventured far from her North Woods home, she replied that explanations of the photographs would be nice. Phone calls followed.
Cliff and Ruth Ann Anderson met as singles at Beginning Experiences, a support group for divorced or widowed individuals at their Wisconsin church. Ruth Ann served as co-leader and Cliff participated, anticipating retirement from the State of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. When he announced to the group his plans to go to Georgia and Florida and volunteer in state parks, Ruth Ann spoke up: “Cliff, I’ve never heard of anyone doing such a thing!”
A snowbird haven for RVers, the resort offers a marina and launch ramp, a swimming lagoon, a sandy beach, a restaurant, and comfortable lodging for those who prefer a motel. All registered guests have access to numerous activities, including games and cards, exercise and craft classes, line dancing, Bingo nights, and a Sunday jam session. Visitors—and Workampers—have unlimited golf privileges on a five-hole, par 4 course.
A Year-Round Retreat for Guests and the Workampers Who Serve Them. Black Meadow Landing on the shores of Lake Havasu above Parker Dam and the Colorado River is a community to itself. Situated on California Bureau of Management Land leased to George and Lori Field, the resort is a relaxing oasis in boondock country dominated by cactus, desert scrub, and wild burros.
“Our guests expect the same type of services, accommodations, and amenities that they would find in any upscale vacation resort,” says Ellen Powers, a Compton Ridge spokesperson. “Yet, we know that the great outdoors is part of the RVing experience and our park offers plenty of space and scenic views from sites and picnic and recreation areas. At Compton Ridge, we like to say we have luxury living in the woods.”
Workampers, Duane and Arlene Folks and Gary and Dee Meyer enjoy their jobs at Compton Ridge Campground in Branson, Missouri as much as the guests who frequent the family-oriented park. Customer service and activities rank high on priorities for this wooded campground with a down-home atmosphere. In addition to a heated indoor swimming pool, two outdoor pools, and a wading pool for youngsters, guests frequent tennis and basketball courts, a game room, a playground, and pavilions.
In the beginning, you’ll size up your employers and fellow-employees. Remember, they are sizing you up, too, evaluating how you tackle your assignments and fit into the work routine. In all areas of society, we meet people with whom we feel an instant bond. Indeed, many folks we meet on the road become lifelong friends and confidantes. Nonetheless, be friendly, but cautious, in forging immediate fast friendships on the Workamping scene. Workamping jobs are generally temporary, seasonal, or even in a volunteer role.
You found your special Workamping job in Workamper News—or on the daily Workamper Hotline. You contacted the employer and discussed all aspects of the work. You asked for your duties, hours, arrival and departure time, days off, accommodations, and benefits in writing. Now, it’s your first day on a new Workamping scene. Returning employees may feel a sense of ownership to the work place. Others may have wider experience from other jobs. Some, perhaps, even you, may be first-time Workampers.
For Nancy and Jerry Langer, volunteering is second nature. While raising five children, each worked with Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. Nancy was a Big Sister and served as a trustee at a Community College. She is certified in Red Cross Standard First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) for the Professional Rescuer. Jerry volunteered on the fire department in their hometown, Rochester, New York.
“We work for hats and tee-shirts,” Jerry Langer says. He explains that, although they are not adverse to receiving wages, they basically are not Workamping to earn money. “We are lifelong learners and we seek positions that utilize the skills and talents we honed in traditional jobs. We look for a reason to be in places we want to explore. And we like the idea of giving back to federal lands such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.”
“The magazine became a motivational tool for me,” the vibrant young RVer states. “But the premature death of my mother in 2003 gave me the final push. She was my best friend and we often camped together in the pop-up trailer I had bought. That little camper was worth every dime!”
For almost a decade, Natalie Barrow longed to run away, going at will from Point A to Point B, paying her way at different jobs. “I always thought of it as bumming around,” she says, flashing her contagious smile. “And then I discovered Workamper News and said, ‘Oh, there’s a name for it!’
One hot Sunday afternoon, Dorothy came up with the idea of offering free ice water to travelers. With quips modeled after the Burma Shave advertisements, they hammered homemade signs along the road that tracked near their town. "Get a soda . . . Get a root beer . . . turn next corner . . . Just as near . . . To Highway 16 & 14. . . Free Ice Water. . . Wall Drug."
Back in 1936, Ted and Dorothy Hustead spent many hours looking out the window of their storefront to a two-lane South Dakota highway. The young entrepreneurs wondered how to attract some of the highway’s travelers to their soda fountain and pharmacy in the tiny town of Wall. Located on the edge of what was then the Badlands National Monument, Wall boasted a population of 326 farmers, most of them poor and reaping the devastation of the nation’s dust bowl days.
Workamper Joy Ethridge lives up to her name. In three years of different Workamping jobs, she has flashed her special smile and spread her joy from Adventureland in Iowa to Yellowstone National Park to Branson, Missouri, with stops in winter months to work for See’s Candies in Texas and Louisiana. In spring 2008, she travels to Niagara Falls for yet another Workamping job.
Thomas and Neoma Thomas and Earl and Sandy Womack celebrate their Workamping lifestyles at Celebration City, a family-friendly theme park in Branson, Missouri. The Womacks, starting their third season with the park known for its nighttime light show, work in merchandising, while the Thomases make tub after tub of ice cream to satisfy the guests’ craving for cold and yummy treats.
The only gold mined in Skagway came from the miners’ pockets as they bought grubstakes before heading over the Chilkoot Pass or the White Pass Trail to seek their fortunes in Canada’s Klondike Gold Fields. Today, Skagway thrives on the ambience of those wild and wooly days, preserved by the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in its headquarters and numerous other restored buildings.
Soon after his departure for southern states, Ruth Ann began receiving photos on e-mail of live oaks, cabbage palms, and a canopy walk above the trees. Never having ventured far from her North Woods home, she replied that explanations of the photographs would be nice. Phone calls followed.
A Year-Round Retreat for Guests and the Workampers Who Serve Them. Black Meadow Landing on the shores of Lake Havasu above Parker Dam and the Colorado River is a community to itself. Situated on California Bureau of Management Land leased to George and Lori Field, the resort is a relaxing oasis in boondock country dominated by cactus, desert scrub, and wild burros.
Workampers, Duane and Arlene Folks and Gary and Dee Meyer enjoy their jobs at Compton Ridge Campground in Branson, Missouri as much as the guests who frequent the family-oriented park. Customer service and activities rank high on priorities for this wooded campground with a down-home atmosphere. In addition to a heated indoor swimming pool, two outdoor pools, and a wading pool for youngsters, guests frequent tennis and basketball courts, a game room, a playground, and pavilions.
“We work for hats and tee-shirts,” Jerry Langer says. He explains that, although they are not adverse to receiving wages, they basically are not Workamping to earn money. “We are lifelong learners and we seek positions that utilize the skills and talents we honed in traditional jobs. We look for a reason to be in places we want to explore. And we like the idea of giving back to federal lands such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.”
For almost a decade, Natalie Barrow longed to run away, going at will from Point A to Point B, paying her way at different jobs. “I always thought of it as bumming around,” she says, flashing her contagious smile. “And then I discovered Workamper News and said, ‘Oh, there’s a name for it!’
Back in 1936, Ted and Dorothy Hustead spent many hours looking out the window of their storefront to a two-lane South Dakota highway. The young entrepreneurs wondered how to attract some of the highway’s travelers to their soda fountain and pharmacy in the tiny town of Wall. Located on the edge of what was then the Badlands National Monument, Wall boasted a population of 326 farmers, most of them poor and reaping the devastation of the nation’s dust bowl days.
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