The Workamper Show Podcast Greg Gerber

Today I will be interviewing two rangers who work for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project near Branson, Mo. It is located in a very beautiful waterway that offers lots of natural recreation opportunities.



Matt Robbins and Angela Stone are rangers who work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agency is tasked with overseeing waterways created by dams and other big projects. Matt and Angela work at Table Rock Lake, which is situated along the White River just outside the Branson, Mo., city limits.



The corps has established campgrounds, visitors centers, bike trails, picnic areas and other fun things to do that promotes being outdoors. The agency hires Workampers to work in the visitor’s center, which they have done for several years. But, this year, Workampers will also be hired to serve as camp hosts.



Camp hosts interact with visitors while relaying important water safety information. They also staff a check-in booth, provide some janitorial services and basically serve as the eyes and ears of the ranger staff to report problems.



In the visitors center itself, Workamper volunteers staff the front desk to answer questions visitors may have and to orient them to features and services available at the project. They also work with school groups visiting the park on field trips.



Some lucky volunteers can wear a costume to entertain kids as Bobber, the water safety dog, while others can help maintain garden beds.



The rangers are super-appreciative of Workampers for all the work they do to assist visitors, which reduces the workload for the ranger staff. However, Workampers are not involved in any enforcement activities. They simply alert rangers to problems at the project.



Volunteers work about 24 hours a week in exchange for a full-hookup RV site. The project employs couples, singles and families who work anywhere from four to eight hours a day. Camp hosts typically work four days on and have four days off. Angela is more flexible in scheduling people to work in the visitors center.



The project asks for a commitment of at least three months in spring, summer and fall. The visitors center is closed during winter. People who want to stay longer are allowed to do so.



Table Rock Lake is home to one of the largest visitors centers in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Because it has a rather large classroom and bigger outdoor spaces, the project is a favorite place for teachers to bring students. In fact, the Dewey Short Visitor Center hosted 110,000 people in 2023.



Workampers might lead tours, conduct programs or demonstrate how to put on a life preserver. They may also guide students in engaging in conservation or clean-up activities.



The project typically seeks 12 to 13 Workampers every 90 days. There are openings yet this summer as camp hosts and in the visitor center.



More information about the Table Rock Lake project is available at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website. Information about Workamper jobs can be found at www.volunteer.gov and searching for Table Rock Lake.



Today’s episode is sponsored by Workamper News. With its Diamond and Platinum membership tools, Workamper News is much more than just a job-listing website. When you put the tools of this professional service into action, you’ll find out just how easy it can be to turn your Workamping dreams into reality.



The one-year memberships open the door to a one-stop-shop for all-things Workamping. Being the original resource for Workamping, you’ll find the largest number of job listings, be able to connect with a community of Workampers,

This week I will be speaking with a man who has lived a rather nomadic lifestyle since childhood. Today, he chases construction jobs around the country which supports his need for adventure and provides income to support his travels.



Steven Speers earned his living as an electrician for many years until he transitioned into being an author and speaker. His first book is about a proto-Germanic alphabet used by indigenous northern Europeans. He instructs people how to use those images as a divination tool.



He refurbished a school bus and has been living in it full-time since 2022 with his cat, Loki.



Steven will still do construction projects, from time to time, but tries to avoid them because they tend to keep him confined in one area longer than he’d like to stay. So, he looks for short-term opportunities, such as wiring a house under construction or being remodeled.



He tries to spend the winter months getting as far south as he can. Last November, he spent time in the Florida panhandle. He has friends and family scattered all over America, so Steven and Loki like to visit them frequently as he participates in fairs and expos to do runic divination demonstrations and book signings.



To keep things fresh, Steven picks three or four different states each year, then looks for fairs or festivals in them. He sets up a schedule to visit as many venues as he can.



When funds run low, and he can’t find a construction project to work on, Steven connects with day labor companies to find short-term jobs. That prevents him from having to dip into his savings for monthly expenses.



He likes to set aside a month’s worth of expenses so he’s never in a truly desperate situation and he always has the option of moving on to find something else to explore. The primary reason why Steven renovated his “skoolie” was to enjoy more freedom.



He and Loki have been to 15 states so far, and plan to add several others this year. Steven relies on the recreation.gov website to find inexpensive places to stay when he’s traveling. He encourages people to get out and travel rather than confine themselves to the same apartment year after year.



During his free time, Steven enjoys walking along forest trails looking for waterfalls or exploring caves. He even made a floating device for his cat to join him when Steven is out exploring.



To connect with him, visit www.stevenspeers.com or look for his author page on Facebook.



Today’s episode is sponsored by Workamper News. If you have more questions than answers when it comes to the Workamping and RVing lifestyle, then don’t worry, Workamper News has your back.



Attend a free, monthly Workamping Q&A webinar to get your questions answered.  Each month, the knowledgeable team behind Workamper.com hosts a free, live webinar where they answer questions submitted by folks, just like you, who are learning about the lifestyle, just getting started, or who have been Workamping for a while.



They cover topics like, what kind of Workamping jobs are available, what do those jobs pay, tips for writing a Workamper resume, questions to ask an employer, what type of RV is best, how to get your mail as an RVer, and much more.



In the description of each video, you’ll find the list of questions that were answered so you can quickly jump to the sections you want to hear. Register for the next live webinar at workamper.com/answers.  Or listen to detailed answers now by watching the recordings of past Q&A webinars on the Workamper News YouTube Channel at youtube.com/workamper and click on the “Q&A on Workam...

Today I am interviewing a couple from California who retired from the U.S. Navy and hit the road in search of adventure. Along the way, they found unique ways to serve people in the communities they visit.



Kevin and Tabitha Maser have been RVing for almost three years, and they have been Workamping the entire time.



The couple loves to serve as camp hosts. They have worked for county parks, large resorts and they really enjoy working for private, family-run RV parks. However, they have also held other jobs, such as working for the beet harvest in Michigan.



They tend to pick a location they’d like to visit, then look for suitable jobs in that area. Many times, those jobs come with pay and a free RV site.



Yet, the Masers also create opportunities to serve others wherever they go. They work with a group established by Lippert Components called seRV With Purpose. It creates meaningful opportunities to connect RVers with local non-profit organizations to engage in purpose-driven volunteerism.



During their first event, Kevin and Tabitha joined other volunteers to help create a nature trail at the RV park where they were staying. They enjoyed the experience so much, the Masers became seRV With Purpose ambassadors and orchestrated two events last month in the Carolinas.



At those events, the Masers worked to pack up food for a local food pantry in Wilmington, N.C. Then, in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the couple helped to run the ShamROCK ‘N Run half-marathon.



They will soon be headed back to Traverse City, Mich., to finish work on a nature trail project they started in 2023. Kevin and Tabitha also plan to make cards for kids suffering from long-term illnesses as well as working with a group which provides equine therapy to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome.



Being in the U.S. Navy for many years, the Masers traveled around the world and lived in Hawaii, but discovered some truly spectacular places to visit in the United States, especially in Michigan, where they were never more than six miles away from water.



Kevin and Tabitha took time off from their schedules to compete in Season 2 of RV Unplugged, which premiers May 29th at 7 p.m. Eastern. They will be hosting weekly watch parties at the Holiday RV Park in Traverse City, but also plan to attend the finale Aug. 5 to 8 at Camp Margaritaville in Auburn, Fla.



To prepare for boondocking for an extended period of time, the Masers installed two Ecoflow Delta Pro battery packs and a smart generator to create 7,000 watts of power.



They live in a 38-foot Alliance fifth wheel because of all the living space it offers. Although they have faced challenges on the road, they learned to fix many common problems with their rig by attending an RV Fundamentals class offered by the National RV Training Academy in Texas.



People can connect with Kevin and Tabitha on Instagram and Facebook by searching for “he she and a husky.”



Today’s episode is sponsored by Workamper News. With its Diamond and Platinum membership tools, Workamper News is much more than just a job-listing website. When you put the tools of this professional service into action, you’ll find out just how easy it can be to turn your Workamping dreams into reality.



The one-year memberships open the door to a one-stop-shop for all-things Workamping.

This week I will be interviewing a woman who is brand new to Workamping. She and her partner were wrapping up their first assignment working at a dog boarding facility in Florida.



Harley Wilson and her partner, Ashton Byars, bought their RV in March of 2023 and went on some shorter excursions before jumping into the Workamping lifestyle in January of this year.



They worked for Dog Academy LLC in Lynn Haven, Fla. At the dog boarding facility, Ashton did construction, while Harley was actively involved in caring for the dogs who were spending time at the facility. She got to clean up, but also worked to reunite the dogs with their owners when they were picked up.



She said it was a lot of fun because the dogs have such different personalities. Harley had fun just letting dogs be dogs by socializing with others whenever possible. It was an ideal job for Harley because she and Ashton own two dogs, so she already knew what to expect.



Harley had dreamed of RVing for years. When she met Ashton, she told him her dream was to travel, so they started saving their money.



In December, Harley reached a point in her corporate job where she desired more freedom and flexibility, so they quit their jobs in their early 30s to go RVing when the option presented itself.



She has a degree in mass communications and Ashton has experience as an audio-video technician. So, the couple plans to develop a TikTok channel and share videos of their adventures on the road as well as the Workamping jobs they enjoy along the way.



One of the big perks Harley and Ashton enjoyed by working at Dog Academy was the ability to get off work and go down to the beach to shuck oysters and meet new people. She also joined a local Zumba class.



The couple has done a lot of traveling outside the United States. Harley said they saw Workamping as a way to see more of America. Ideally, the couple would like to spend time Workamping in Alaska.



When their job ends at Dog Academy, Harley and Ashton are headed to Austin, Texas, where they will spend the summer Workamping at a KOA near Austin.



To follow their adventures, people can connect with Harley on Facebook or email her at Harley.wilson1591@gmail.com.



Today’s episode is brought to you by the featured employers at Workamper.com.  These Workamper employers have taken an extra step to share some photos and detailed information about their Workamper programs.



Opportunities exist for solos, couples and families, whether they are full-time, part-time, seasonal and even long-term jobs. Some are income opportunities and others involve volunteering at locations throughout the United States. Go to workamper.com/fe to meet the featured employers today.



Employers who are seeking to hire Workampers can learn about the benefits of year-round recruiting by becoming a featured employer. More information about featured employers is available at workamper.com/fedetails.



That’s all for this week’s show. We have a couple options to explore for interviews next week, so I encourage you to tune in to see which inspirational interview will be featured. Thanks for listening and if you like these interviews, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.

Today I am interviewing a couple from Tennessee who have been enjoying the RV lifestyle for almost two years. They had owned an 80-acre, 10-building compound and took up RVing to get away from the pressures of maintaining such a large property.



Jack and Shelby Tessar have five children, the youngest of which is 19. They traveled frequently as a family, but never in an RV.



When Shelby was a young girl, she played softball and traveled with friends whose parents owned RVs. As a result, she grew up dreaming about having her own RV someday. Then, around Mother’s Day in 2022, she and Jack bought a fifth wheel and took their first trip by visiting a state park in Tennessee.



That’s where they fell in love with the RV lifestyle and decided to sell all but seven acres of their property to hit the road full-time.



Jack had been a certified financial planner for 20 years down in Florida. Shelby owned two businesses herself in Florida and Tennessee. As their parents got older and needed more care, the Tessars moved to Tennessee and started to build a family compound.



After falling in love with RVing, the couple sold most of the land, but created RV hookups on the remaining acreage, which Jack and Shelby use upon occasion along with their children, who also own RVs.



They use money from selling the property to finance their travel plans, but the Tessars are about to start a YouTube channel. Shelby operates a cleaning company serving AirBnB properties, high-end corporate clients and conducting estate cleanouts.



Their entire family has been involved in charities over the years. First they started raising money to support a school for blind students their son attended in Florida. Now they want to travel to small towns across America and help everyday type of people with their special needs.



This year, Jack and Shelby were participants on RV Unplugged, a reality competition premiering May 29 where 10 couples and one individual compete for a $25,000 cash prize.



Their YouTube channel is called The Bimble Effect, and the couple already recorded their first episode. To bimble means to walk at a leisurely pace and explore with no particular destination in mind, which is what the Tessars do in their travels.



People can connect with Jack and Shelby on Facebook or on YouTube. Be sure to root for them on Season Two of RV Unplugged. More details are available at www.rvunpluggedtv.com/season-two-rv-unplugged.



Today’s episode is sponsored by Workamper News. With its Diamond and Platinum membership tools, Workamper News is much more than just a job-listing website. When you put the tools of this professional service into action, you’ll find out just how easy it can be to turn your Workamping dreams into reality.



The one-year memberships open the door to a one-stop-shop for all-things Workamping. Being the original resource for Workamping, you’ll find the largest number of job listings, be able to connect with a community of Workampers, and view resources compiled by experts who have been enjoying the RV lifestyle for many years.



If you’re serious about leading a successful and enjoyable Workamping lifestyle, then a Diamond or Platinum membership is for you.  You can even get started with a free 30-day trial by visiting workamper.com/trial. Embark on new adventures today with the support of Workamper News behind you!

Today I am interviewing the vice president of one of the most popular museums in Elkhart, Indiana. It’s a place RVers should visit whenever they pass through the area.



Ryan Szklarek is the executive vice president of the RV/MH Hall of Fame, which chronicles the history of the recreation vehicle and manufactured housing industries, both of which have roots deep in the Elkhart area.



There are a number of top-quality displays at the museum, a library of industry archives, and the Hall of Fame itself, which memorializes the 485 – and counting – men and women who built and transformed both thriving industries.



There have been quite a few changes to the complex itself, especially in terms of expanding the adjacent event center to host rallies and industry meetings.



I’ve been to the Hall of Fame and its adjacent event center multiple times over my career in the RV industry. For an RVer, it certainly is a fun place to visit. You can see how RVs have evolved from very basic trailers hauling equipment and supplies to the multi-slide juggernauts they are today.



More than 40,000 people toured the facility in 2023, which was an all-time record for the museum and 10,000 more visitors than the year before.



The museum is home to more than 60 modern and antique recreation vehicles, including a 1913 Ford Model T travel trailer, which is recognized as the world’s oldest RV. To view them, people walk along a pathway to see how RVs progressed over the years.



People can also walk through the museum to view photos of the nearly 500 people who have been inducted into the hall of fame for their contributions to advancing their respective companies and the industry in general.



The library has close to 35,000 books, magazines and other publications about the RV and manufactured housing industries, including those I had the privilege of editing for several years.



The gift shop offers fun knickknacks, clothing and gift items, as well as some equipment that can help make the RV lifestyle even more fun.



Best of all, as a Harvest Host site, people can spend the night for free by dry camping on 1.1 million square feet of asphalt. All the museum asks is that, if possible, people pay to tour the museum or pick up something from the gift shop.



For more information about the museum and what it contains, visit www.rvmhhalloffame.org. Visiting is truly worth the time.



Today’s episode is brought to you by the featured employers at Workamper.com.  These Workamper employers have taken an extra step to share some photos and detailed information about their Workamper programs.



Opportunities exist for solos, couples and families, whether they are full-time, part-time, seasonal and even long-term jobs. Some are income opportunities and others involve volunteering at locations throughout the United States. Go to workamper.com/fe to meet the featured employers today.



Employers who are seeking to hire Workampers can learn about the benefits of year-round recruiting by becoming a featured employer. More information about featured employers is available at workamper.com/fedetails.



That’s all for this week’s show. Next time, I will be speaking with a couple of financial planners who have found rather unique ways to give back to the communities they visit. I’ll have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thanks for listening!