Get SMART about Camp Hosting--not STUNG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 WorkampingReviews.com Provides a Needed Resource for the Workamping Community

A Voice for the Thousands of U.S. Workampers

On the road, Wyoming – September 18, 2014

A new website has been launched giving workampers and traveling volunteers a voice. WorkampingReviews.com is an easy-to-use free website that allows workampers to share their experiences.  Users will help their fellows to avoid possible bad situations, and encourage the organizations that provide positive employment and service opportunities.  This website equips workampers and volunteers with information so they can determine which opportunities are best for them.

Each year, thousands of workampers and volunteers cris-cross the country filling vital roles in short term and seasonal positions. By all accounts, full-time RVing and workamping is a growing lifestyle.  “A website like this has been needed for sometime,” said Christian Dunn of WorkampingReviews.com. Who, along with his wife, is a full-time RVer and workamper.  “Most workamping and volunteer experiences are positive, but when a situation is bad, it can be a tremendous drain on time, money and emotions,” said Dunn.  “Prior to developing this website I had often wished there was such a resource.  A situation this past year prompted me and my wife to do it ourselves, in the spirit of community.”

The website relies on users to review and share their experiences.  “We wanted the website to be free, easy to use and allow users to post reviews anonymously.  Hopefully, people will come to the website regularly, and share honestly without concern of employer blow-back,” said Alayne Dunn of WorkampingReviews.com.  “So far there is not much in between, people either really enjoy their experiences or not,” said Dunn.  WorkampingReviews.com is the only website of its kind and is solely dedicated to the workamper with no other interests.  It is free, requires no registration, and users can begin posting and searching immediately.   

Christian & Alayne Dunn, also known as the TheRVNomads.com, are non-retired aged full-time RVers that have been traveling around the US with their two cats since March 2013. 

Contact:

Alayne Dunn

TheRVNomads@gmail.com

TheRVNomads.com

443 794 4596

How to be a Camp Host

First, talk with any and all camp hosts you can contact who already work in areas you are interested in. I've never found one who didn't love the job...and who wasn't happy to pass on any info that might be helpful to you. It was only last year that I ever talked with a camp host, after camping all of my life. I thought they were aloof and dictatorial...essentially all about very strict camping rules. Wrong. This past year our contacts were not only friendly, but frank...and encouraging: "Do it! Be a camp host; you'll love it!"

Second, it's almost mandatory that you be married. Management companies hire couples. So be sure you and your spouse can get along well (I mean really well) in a confined space...and you have no problems working as a team. It doesn't work out well if one does most or all of the work.

Thirdly, look for a small assignment at first with 30 or fewer hours a week, if you can. It would be sad if you took a long assignment...say 4 or more months, with heavy responsibilities...and then realized hosting was not for you.

You can fill out applications for groups such as CampHost.org, Workamper, etc., and even send a resume...but usually nothing happens. It's best to go right to the campground you are interested in, check it out and start asking questions. If it's a place you want to be, ask if they need any help. We got our first job when a camp host asked us why we were parking our RV in a group tent area in Jordan Pines, Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City. Our son had invited us to join his family on a church group outing, and we guessed that RVs weren't allowed...but we came along anyway. The host who questioned our being there was happy to answer our questions about his job. And when we asked how to get a hosting job (not seriously) he said he was the area manager and happened to have an opening at Albion Basin in the next canyon, near the Alta Ski Resort. We were curious enough to ask for an application, filled it out on the spot, and we were hired (with no interview). How could it be so easy? We soon got a cool ranger-like uniform, name badge and sturdy work gloves and were all set to go.