What's it like to be a workamper?

We are followers of an an excellent blog written by Randy Warner called the Roadrunner Chronicles (click on his  link in the  blogs that we follow).  Be sure to check it out and better yet, become one of his followers. He loves it when people join.  He asked us on our previous post the following "What is your job description? What do you like best?"

Good question!  We certainly wondered what it would be like to be a workamper and are very appreciative of this opportunity to gain some experience before retiring and "hitting the road". 

For the most part I have been working the hours required due to John's work schedule at the Post Office.  We are working for site only and that requires 20 hours per week.  There are four workamping couples at this campground (including us).  They work more hours than us. This KOA is owned by a couple with four children who live on the premises.  They are very active owners and two of their children also help out. 

My job description mostly involves working at the front desk.This includes some of the following:

• Checking in campers that are arriving and arranging  an escort to their site if needed
• Arranging a camp site for "walk ins" (campers who arrive without a reservation)
• Answering the phone and making reservations in the computer system 
• Checking out purchases for the camp store (this is located in the same building ) We sell a wide variety of items and also firewood, ice, and propane
• Providing lots of tourist information about the area and directions to the nearest WalMart, church, Emergency Room ..campers have lots of questions
• Communicating all the activities and encourage them to attend (i.e hay ride, breakfast)
• Cleaning the office and camp store as needed

I also help out with a Saturday breakfast.  This involves getting up very early and preparing the meal (usually scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, and beverage).  There are three of us who help with the breakfast.  The room needs to be set up each time and there's lots of clean up afterwords The campers really seem to enjoy it.  The other workampers have done this for a long time and really have a good system in place. The time goes by quickly.  Only downside is that it can be very hot at times (kitchen  and dining area are not air conditioned).  I'll be glad when the dog days of summer have passed. 

We certainly have a new appreciation of all that it takes to run a campground  The other workameprs and the owner are very busy with a tremendous amount of upkeep such as lawn mowing, weed wacking, cleaning camp sites, cleaning the rest rooms, cabins and lodges. Plus, "Murphy" happens a lot.  Campers run over the water spickets,circuits malfunction, lawn mowers break, WYFI goes down, air conditioners quit working.  The workampers and owners have amazing talents and abilities.  They certainly are great at trouble shooting and setting priorities. Did I mention that the campground flooded twice this year!

So, what do we like best?  Hands down it is working with the workampers and  the owner.  John says it's like having an instant family! We will be here through November and are looking forward to the rest of the season.  I'm sure we will have more stories to share.  

Thanks for asking Randy and happy trails!