For Rebel and Wendy Miner, Workamping has provided a way to earn an income while pursuing the adventures that drew them to life on the road in the first place.
After RVing off and on for about 25 years and traveling as full-time RVers for nine, the Miners have built a lifestyle around exploring remote places, searching for gold, rockhounding and seeing what might be waiting at the end of an unfamiliar road.
Rebel said his journey began when he grew tired of the repetitive routine of working a conventional job, coming home and doing it all over again the next day.
He initially envisioned supporting himself by mining gold. When he discovered that was not particularly realistic, Workamping provided another option.
Today, the couple owns 13 gold claims and two crystal claims. They continue prospecting during their travels while using Workamping jobs to provide dependable income and support their adventures.
Rebel and Wendy recently shared their story on The Workamper Show, where they talked about their years on the road, the skills that have made them valuable to employers and the lessons they’ve learned while building a lifestyle around Workamping and adventure. Listen to the full episode to hear more about their experiences.
Work to Travel: Using Workamping to Support the Adventure
The Miners have completed a variety of unusual Workamping assignments over the years. Rebel said they have helped build and remodel campgrounds, installed solar equipment, completed plumbing and irrigation projects and performed other specialized work.
Yet, traveling remains their primary motivation.
“It’s all about the traveling and not so much the Workamping,” Rebel explained.
In the summer of 2026, Rebel and Wendy were working at a KM Resorts property in Randle, WA, near Mount St. Helens. They had originally expected to stay for one season.
However, after a major flood put the property under about 12 feet of water, the couple volunteered to stay and help rebuild. They also enjoyed the area and their employer enough to extend their commitment.
“The company that we work for is just fantastic as well, so it all fits together,” Wendy said.
Their responsibilities illustrate how Workamping couples can bring different strengths to the same employer.
Wendy spends much of her time in the office handling registrations, helping guests find their way around the campground and keeping the store stocked. She also helps organize events and meals for families.
Rebel gravitates toward maintenance and repair projects. Between the two of them, their responsibilities can include cleaning pools and bathhouses, maintaining cabins and handling whatever problems develop during the day.
Finding Workamping Jobs That Fit Your Personality
One thing the Miners appreciate about Workamping is the ability to find jobs suited to their individual personalities.
Rebel prefers maintenance work where he can spend much of the day working independently while still interacting with guests periodically. Wendy is the opposite.
“I absolutely love the socialization,” she said. “I love meeting new people, but then I also like connecting with frequent guests with whom I can actually build a great rapport.”
For Wendy, those relationships are among the best parts of Workamping. Rebel particularly enjoys the variety.
“Every day is something different,” he explained.
A pool pump may stop working, a heater can fail or problems may develop with plumbing or electricity. That unpredictability keeps the work interesting for him.
During busy weekends, Rebel said the atmosphere can become less like going to work and more like participating in the campground experience alongside guests.
How to Become a Valuable Workamper
The Miners have reached a point where they can be selective about Workamping opportunities. Rebel said they look for positions where all hours are paid and their site, electricity and utilities are provided, too.
Getting to that point required years of developing a strong reputation.
Rebel believes Workampers should approach each position by considering how they can help the business succeed rather than focusing exclusively on what they receive in return.
“The biggest thing is you’ve got to be willing to put in an honest day at work,” he said.
Customer service is part of that equation. Happy guests benefit the campground, which makes a dependable Workamper even more valuable to the employer.
Rebel also stressed the importance of obtaining reference letters after successfully completing assignments.
The Miners have accumulated a thick folder of references during their years on the road. Those recommendations, combined with their reputation and diverse skills, have changed the way they look for Workamping jobs.
“We don’t have to look for work anymore,” Rebel explained. “Now employers often find us.”
Skills That Create More Workamping Opportunities
Building a good reputation is important, but Rebel also encouraged prospective Workampers to develop practical skills before applying for positions.
His abilities include operating heavy machinery, welding, electrical work and plumbing. That means an employer can turn to him for projects that might otherwise require hiring outside contractors.
However, Workampers do not need to arrive with decades of experience.
Rebel noted that people can learn many basic skills before starting their travels. Someone interested in campground office work, for example, can become familiar with commonly used software. Those interested in maintenance can learn more about RV electrical systems, plumbing and other routine repairs.
“A lot of this stuff you can practice at night,” he said. “There are also numerous instructional videos available online.”
Developing even a few additional skills can expand the types of jobs a Workamper is qualified to perform and make that person more valuable to prospective employers.
Reducing Expenses Before Full-Time Workamping
The Miners also encourage people to examine their finances before becoming full-time Workampers.
Wendy cautioned people against entering the lifestyle expecting Workamping jobs to make them wealthy.
“The main goal of Workamping should be to enjoy the lifestyle, especially if you love meeting new people, traveling and exploring,” she explained.
She also recommended becoming comfortable with a more minimalist lifestyle and avoiding excessive debt.
Rebel said reducing fixed monthly obligations changes the amount of income people actually need. Paying down an RV, tow vehicle and other major debts before going full time can provide greater freedom when selecting Workamping positions because people do not necessarily need to chase the highest-paying opportunities.
For people carrying significant RV debt, however, Workamping income may need to cover a large monthly payment before they can enjoy the financial flexibility the lifestyle can provide.
Rebel suggested newcomers consider Workamping near home for a year or two before committing to the lifestyle full time. That gives them an opportunity to gain experience, reduce debt and determine whether Workamping is something they actually enjoy.
“Get your RV paid for, then jump and run,” he said.
Workamping With the Freedom to Travel
Although many RVers carefully map their travels months or years in advance, Rebel and Wendy prefer flexibility.
They have traveled through nearly every state, but the northeastern United States, and especially visiting Maine, remains on their bucket list. Still, they are not rushing to schedule the trip.
“We don’t like to plan that far out,” Rebel explained. “We just kind of play it by ear, because you never know what you’re going to be in the mood to do when you leave a campground.”
Their reputation makes that flexibility easier. Because employers know what the couple can do, Rebel and Wendy can often find opportunities without conducting lengthy job searches months in advance.
Their current employer even offered them an arrangement allowing the couple to take four or five months off during winter and return afterward.
Sharing Their Adventures Through Just Go Wilder
The Miners document their experiences through their social media channels with the moniker “Just Go Wilder”.
Rebel said they have produced hundreds of videos and attracted about 117,000 followers on TikTok while also building audiences on Facebook and YouTube.
Their posts and videos reflect the wide range of interests that have shaped their life on the road. They demonstrate RV and solar upgrades, explain off-grid living techniques and share adventures involving gold prospecting, rockhounding and exploring remote areas.
The variety reflects the way Rebel and Wendy approach life on the road. Their content is not limited to Workamping, RV maintenance or prospecting. Instead, it offers a glimpse into the many experiences and interests they have been able to pursue while traveling.
Connect with Rebel and Wendy and follow their adventures @Just Go Wilder on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Their Advice for Future Workampers: Do It Sooner
After decades of RV travel, Rebel did not identify some expensive piece of equipment he wished he had purchased earlier or a destination they should have visited first.
When asked what he would change if he could start the RV lifestyle again, his answer was simple.
“Do it sooner,” Rebel said. Wendy agreed.
Their experience also shows that enjoying Workamping often depends upon how people approach it.
Developing useful skills can make Workampers more valuable. Providing good service can produce strong references and better opportunities. Reducing debt can make it possible to live on less while leaving more freedom for travel.
Most importantly, Rebel and Wendy have kept Workamping in perspective. For them, the jobs aren’t the destination. They’re what make the destination possible.
Workamping provides the means to meet interesting people, explore unfamiliar places, search for gold and occasionally turn down a gravel road simply to discover where it leads.
Hear more from Rebel and Wendy in their full interview on The Workamper Show podcast.
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