When disaster strikes, community spirit shines brightest. That was certainly true at Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC), where a team of Workamper volunteers stepped up during Texas’ historic 2021 winter storm to keep animals alive and campus facilities safe.
This wasn’t your typical Workamping experience. Instead of greeting campground guests or handling maintenance in mild weather, these RVers found themselves hauling water through snow, rescuing livestock, and working around the clock in subzero temperatures. Their story shows just how adaptable – and invaluable – Workampers can be when unexpected challenges arise.
Story submitted by Workamper Robin Buck
A Winter Crisis Across Texas
From February 10-17, 2021, two major winter storms swept across the U.S., hitting Texas especially hard. Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide emergency as the freeze caused power outages, burst pipes, food and water shortages, and record-breaking low temperatures.
For many communities, the crisis brought daily life to a halt – but not for the dedicated Workampers at NTCC.
The Value of NTCC’s Workamper Program
Tom Ramler, Director of Plant Services at NTCC, had established a Workamper Program four years earlier to support his maintenance team. In exchange for free RV campsites, these volunteers helped with repairs, landscaping, and other campus projects – contributing over 4,000 volunteer hours to the college.
What Ramler couldn’t have predicted was just how vital these RVers would become during a statewide emergency.
Keeping Animals Alive in Subzero Conditions
Even though classes were canceled, the Agriculture Department’s animals still needed daily care. When staff couldn’t reach campus due to icy roads, the Workampers jumped into action. Using 4×4 utility vehicles (UTVs), they navigated snow-covered grounds to reach the two animal compounds across the highway.
One compound housed nearly 90 cows and bulls on 250 acres. The volunteers hauled buckets of feed and bales of hay, patrolled for newborn calves, and even rescued a shivering calf from a frozen river.
Water became a major challenge as pipes froze solid. When tractors and Ag lines failed, Workampers began hauling water by UTV twice per day to keep the animals hydrated.
Caring for the Smaller Critters
At the second compound, home to pigs, chickens, goats, turkeys, geese, and donkeys, the team faced similar hardships. Twenty-five baby goats, several born during the storm, needed warmth and constant supervision. Workampers set up heat lamps, checked on the young goats throughout the day, and ensured that mothers had enough food and water.
Fixing Leaks, Pipes, and Equipment
Beyond animal care, Workampers became the campus’s all-around emergency crew. They:
- Stopped a burst water pipe in the greenhouse
- Repaired leaks at the rodeo area
- Pulled out vehicles stuck in snow
- Kept kerosene heaters running in the Plant Services warehouse to prevent vehicles and supplies from freezing
Despite their own challenges – frozen RV water lines and frigid temperatures as low as -1°F – the Workampers stayed positive and resourceful. Their onboard water tanks and space heaters kept them safe while they worked tirelessly through the week.
A Program That Truly Paid Off
When Ramler and his staff returned after the storm, they realized the full impact of the Workampers’ efforts. Every animal survived, no one had to risk driving in treacherous conditions, and campus damage was minimal.
All told, the group contributed more than 125 volunteer hours during the weeklong emergency, proving the immense value of NTCC’s Workamper Program.
A Testament to the Workamping Spirit
This story is a reminder that Workamping is about more than free campsites or seasonal work – it’s about community, purpose, and resilience. The NTCC Workampers didn’t just lend a hand; they quite literally saved the day.
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