What To Know Before Your First Work Camping Job

Wondering what exactly what you need to know before your very first work camping job? I’m  here to help.

So you’ve read up on #RVlife and now you think you might be interested in traveling full-time. You already have an RV, your affairs are in order, but you’re thinking you might need to pick up a few seasonal jobs along the way.

You found some information about work camping online and it all seems pretty straight forward, but you’re just not quite sure if you’re really ready to get started.

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

This way you can feel confident in not only lining up your seasonal jobs, but in understanding how the Live Camp Work lifestyle works and how you can be a part of it!

What To Know Before You Start Work Camping

I’ll assume you already know the basics of what work camping is and how it works. I mean let’s be honest, most of that information is right in the name. Since many folks tend to put their own spin on things, let’s just focus on what you need to know before getting started.

This way, you’ll be prepared to start looking for jobs, know how to handle offers, and understand why getting everything in writing is so important.

Let’s get started.

Always Apply Early

Work camping jobs can be found all throughout the RVer Job Exchange! There are employers hiring for everything from camp hosting positions and volunteer gigs to marketing, sales, and hospitality positions.

Job posts are published randomly through the year with the highest concentration of available positions posted between November and April. This is prime recruiting season for summer jobs and upcoming opportunities for the next year.

RV employers are ready to get hiring and recruitment over and done with so they can focus on actually running the business. This is great news for eager RVers. Knowing when to start looking for job openings is about half the battle. And if you can get your application or resume submitted early, you’ll be leaps ahead of the masses!

When you see a new job listing or receive that extra special job alert (build your job alert here), take a moment to read through it. This is your chance to be the early bird and snag your first work camping job.

If it seems like something you might be interested in, apply right then. Make sure your resume or application is one of the very first ones they receive, which will increase your chances of having it read and reviewed. If you’re unable to apply right then, save it to your account so you can go back later in the day and apply. But just make sure you get it in as early as possible!

Plan Ahead, One Season at a Time

With so many people work camping these days, it’s now more important than ever to make sure you’re keeping your eyes and ears open. Be ready for potential work camping jobs for future seasons. Planning 2-3 seasons ahead is a safe bet that you’ll grab positions in prime locations with the employers you really want to work for. It also helps you line out your travels six months to one year ahead of time. This gives you time to research all the cool places to go and things to see in the surrounding area.

When planning your jobs, I suggest starting with the summer season which always appears to be the easiest season to grab great jobs. Give yourself an easy win by starting with a fun or well-placed summer job in a location you always dreamed of traveling to- or just where you’d like to spend the summer!

Once you have your first summer job lined out, and know your exact departure date, you’ll then be able to plan for the fall or winter season backing up to it.

Leave some time for travel, visiting friends and family, or just head straight over- it’s your choice! But once you have that winter job lined up and know your departure date, you need to start lining up the next summer in this same fashion.

Negotiate Your Wage and Perks

You have to ask for what you want. Be prepared to negotiate if it’s not included in the offer the employer presents to you. Negotiation is part of the culture when you are dealing with small campgrounds and small businesses. When you live, camp and work at the same property you want to make sure you start off on the right foot!

Let’s be honest, not all working RVers will want the same perks and if the compensation doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, it’s your job to see if you can negotiate a common ground. Think of it this way: if you never ask, you’ll never know.

A word of advice on large campground corporations and high volume employers like Amazon Camperforce & the Sugar Beet Harvest… there just isn’t room for negotiation. They’re programs are set to hire the most people in the shortest amount of time. They don’t negotiate individual deals with each RVer who applies, so save your negotiation efforts for the small operations who want to focus on finding people with your skills and the experience you have to offer.

Get It All In Writing

The biggest tip I can give to working RVers just getting started with their first work camping job is to make sure you get the details in writing. Word of mouth just doesn’t cut it!

You need to make sure the employer sends you a written offer letter or work agreement that you both sign. This should spell out the position you’ve accepted, the number of hours you’ll work, home much you’ll be paid, if your site is free or the exact monthly cost, and if there are any additional compensation, perks, and benefits.

You’ll also want to clearly define any arrangements to work for the site, honey wagon pumping that may be included for non-full hook-up sites, as well as your agreed upon arrival and departure dates.

Not having these pertinent details in writing leaves you open to possible misunderstandings and miscommunications. Unfortunately, for a lot of people who make this big mistake, it’s the difference between a negative experience and a positive one.

Ready to Land Your First Work Camping Job?

With this information, I hope you can feel more confident in getting started with work camping jobs!

Like everything that’s new and unknown, it can be a little intimidating and even scary going after the first few jobs you find. Feel confident in lining up your seasonal jobs using the 4 key tips I’ve just covered! If you stick to them, trust me…

you’re more than halfway to the finish line.

And if you’re not quite ready to get started, that’s fine too. Just keep soaking up all the information you can get your hands on