This article is from the March/April 2018 issue of Workamper News magazine which was dedicated to Solo Workampers! Members have access to this issue in the online magazine archive at Workamper News.
Workamping is the adventurous life of travel enjoyed by many Americans of all ages. Traveling from place to place, state to state, and job to job may not be a lifestyle made for everyone but for many it affords the adventurous life they have always dreamed of while providing a modest income to boot.
Many of today’s Workampers travel as couples sharing both the responsibilities of each new job and the lifestyle responsibilities of trip planning, driving, and the not-so-glamorous tasks included with setting up their campsite. But, not all Workampers come in pairs.
Solo Workampers may not be what many Employers consider to be their ideal applicants, but the reality is that many amazing people do this alone! Some travel solo by choice or situation, while others are part of a pair where only one partner is looking to find work on the road.
Regardless of the reasons, solo Workampers are flooding the roads in all types of rigs ranging from converted vans to Class As and they are ready for their next Workamping adventure!
In this feature, three solo Workampers share their inspiring journeys – how they got started, the challenges they faced, and the rewards of living and working from the road.
Meet Vicki Richards
How were you able to embark on this new life of travel? What steps did you take?
I moved my fifth wheel to Indiana, where it was an easy 3 miles to the campground from my employer. I was immediately at ease living in the smaller space, able to come and go at will. As an avid photographer, I was immediately drawn to the lifestyle and enthralled with all the new sights I saw throughout the Continental US.
What was the hardest part? The easiest?
The hardest part was accepting that, initially, I would be away from my children and grandchildren for several weeks at a time. Laptop computers, the internet, and cell phones were not everyday items at that time, so calls to the office and my children were made through pay phones. The easiest was the fact that I was already a part-time RVer.
How many Workamping adventures have you had?
Since 2005, I have had 15 Workamping positions. I have worked in housekeeping, snack bar, restaurant, reservations, registrations and store at campgrounds. I also worked for Amazon Camperforce, taught water safety for the Corps of Engineers; have been a kettle driver for the Salvation Army; and even drove rental cars from an airport to the maintenance yard.
What do you do for money on the road?
Fortunately, I am paid for every hour I work, including overtime. My site and utilities are included, so most of my checks are banked. I also collect Social Security. Those two factors make it viable for me to Workamp for six months and travel as I wish the other six.
Do you feel that Workamping and the ability to travel extensively has changed you for the better?
Absolutely. My children say I am happier than they’ve ever seen me. The RV lifestyle keeps me focused with minimal needs. I can no longer collect ‘things’ the way I did when I had a sticks and bricks home. I think carefully before making any purchases. I love learning the histories of the areas I visit and am the go-to person at the campground for scenic drives and special events.
What advice do you have for new Workampers?
Do your homework. Take time to check out potential places you would like to consider, even read reviews, but do not let them overly influence you. Do whatever you can to understand exactly what will be asked of you and do not sign up for a position thinking you can change things. Places that have been in business for a long time know what works best for their establishments.
If you have pets, be sure you understand the pet policies and adhere to them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Meet Kathy White
What inspired you to live in your RV?
I’ve always liked to travel, and I was never making enough money to travel anywhere great on my vacation time. A coworker vacationed in their trailer and she would always bring me her camping magazines. I saw something about Workamping in one of them. I found Workamper News and I started dreaming. I figured if I took to the road Workamping, I could travel as I worked.
How were you able to embark on this new life of travel?
I took some retirement money out early to buy my “vintage” RV. Tax wise it was not the smartest thing to do but I am glad I did it as I would never have had the money saved up. I would still be a dreamer.
What was the most surprising part of Workamping?
How many single women are fulltiming. My first Workamping job was with Amazon Camperforce and I met single women of all ages. It made me realize I wasn’t too crazy!
How many Workamping adventures have you had?
I am on my 8th adventure. I have worked for Amazon Camperforce twice, in Campbellsville, KY. I have worked at KOA campground, Mount Rushmore. I have also worked for Bowlin Travel Centers in NM and traveled to ND this past fall for the Sugar Beet Harvest. Because the harvest went quickly, I was able to attend the Workamper News Rendezvous in Heber Springs, AR!
What else do you do for money on the road?
Aside from Workamping, I also enjoy making jewelry, and have recently received a small wholesale order for camp-themed earrings.
What advice do you have for new Workampers?
Don’t put it off. My late husband died when he was only 47, and so that really taught me to not put off things. You never how much time you have on this beautiful earth.
Meet Kristy Halliday
What inspired you to live in an RV?
I had wanted to do a US road trip for at least 10 years and finally committed to a 5 month journey. The desire to have a comfy bed, a stand up shower, and the ability to transport my Vespa scooter, led me to buying the C Class RV. Plus, it made more financial sense than renting.
Just before starting my return-leg homeward from west back to the east coast, I took an RVing Women’s Maintenance Class. The single, widowed, divorced solo traveling ladies in that group inspired me so greatly that I gave myself a two year commitment to attempt full time living in the RV. So, I promptly headed to an Amazon CamperForce job in Nevada to network with other full timers and learn how they finance and manage their lives on the road.
How were you able to embark on this new life of travel? What steps did you take?
Having committed to the initial road trip, I’d already left my job. I gave my boss four months notice that I’d be leaving; I moved out of a rental apartment and put my remaining belongings in storage. I was in good shape financially and in good health and with my family all being overseas, it was fairly easy for me to just stay living in the RV. The logistics of creating a mailing address and home state were made easy through the Escapees RV Club mail service.
What was the hardest part? What was the easiest?
I had never been in an RV prior to this experience and not knowing what I didn’t know was rather daunting! Albeit the RV community, both online and the campers and Workampers I met along the way always helped answer questions and offered assistance whenever needed.
What was the most surprising?
Having mostly flown from city to city, once I started my drive across country, I was totally surprised by how many people have RVs in their driveways and how many RV parks there are around the country; and further still, how many people were already living on their wheels!
Do you have an end date?
I can’t foresee an end date unless something catastrophic happens that I am ill-prepared for. I am still very happy with my decision and choices.
How many Workamping adventures have you had & what do you love most about them?
I had previously worked for just three different companies over the previous 17 years. In the last four years, I have had 10 entirely different jobs in seven different states!
I have returned to most of these job locations for a second time, to maximize all the learning and friends from the first visit! I have camped in 23 different states and looking forward to exploring many more.
Where do you plan to travel in 2018?
I am currently working at the Yukon River Camp on the Dalton Highway which includes room and board. In spring, I’ll return to the RV in Oregon and work at Twin Lakes Resort on the Cascade Lakes Highway. Come October, I’ll be hankering for travel so I plan to very slowly venture down the west coast.
What do you do for money on the road?
I have been working seasonal positions that include or offer greatly reduced FHU camping rates. I also own a rental property overseas and that income acts as a cushion for fixed outgoings.
Best Workamping jobs so far have been?
I enjoy retail and hospitality positions. Last summer, for the very first time, I was a server at a small, but busty restaurant at a lakeside resort. I enjoyed the constant hustle and bustle and customer engagement. After work, I would paddle board into the middle of the lake to watch the sunset over a reservoir just 100 feet from my RV.
Do you feel that Workamping and the ability to travel extensively has changed you for the better? How so?
Absolutely! For me, the ability to keep choosing jobs and locations and to work when I want is so freeing. Plus, each job adds new skills, experiences, friendships, adventures and opportunities!
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened while on the road?
Bumping into Workamper friends in random parts of the country when least expected. This seems to happen more and more frequently!
Most valuable takeaway from choosing long-term travel?
I have always been a frequent traveler, but having the luxury of time to stay a while – or to pause in a community while Workamping – lets you travel so much deeper than before. To have favorite hikes and places; to learn more about the local environment, terrain, history, culture and to embrace a stronger connection to a place…then allowing you to return or move on as you see fit.
What advice do you have for new Workampers?
Roam, seek out new experiences and destinations., and inspire others to achieve their dreams too…whatever theirs might be!
Finding Strength and Community on the Road
These stories remind us that traveling solo doesn’t mean traveling alone. Workamping provides a built-in community of people who share your curiosity and adventurous spirit. For women who crave independence, confidence, and purpose, Workamping offers endless opportunities to grow – one job, one campsite, and one sunrise at a time.
If you’re dreaming of starting your own journey, explore solo-friendly job listings and resources for every stage of RV life by becoming a member at Workamper.com.
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