100 episodes

Workampers are adventuresome individuals, couples and families who have chosen a wonderful lifestyle that combines ANY kind of part-time or full-time work with RV camping. If you work as an employee, operate a business, or donate your time as a volunteer, AND you sleep in an RV, you are a Workamper! The Workamper Show is a podcast about workamping and the people who enjoy the lifestyle, either full-time or seasonally. It will feature interviews with current and former Workampers, as well as people who hire them to perform a wide variety of jobs. We'll even feature interviews with experienced RVers. The goal of The Workamper Show is to show people that they don't need to be retired to enjoy the RV lifestyle. We'll offer tips on getting started quickly, and making the most of the journey. Opportunities abound all over North America to work full- or part-time jobs. Some people work sales, management or customer service positions at campgrounds, tourist sites, amusement parks, wineries, farms and other public and private companies. Many Workampers accept new jobs every three to six months, which is plenty of time to immerse themselves in the culture of the area they're visiting. It's an excellent opportunity to experience a part of the country that many tourists only zip through on the way to their next destination. Perhaps they'll spend the summer in New England, enjoy the winter in Arizona, and head to the mountains the next year before venturing to Florida. Buckle up, you're about to launch a memorable adventure you've been dreaming about for years. The good news is that The Workamper Show will help you achieve your goal faster and more affordably than you imagined.

The Workamper Show Podcast Greg Gerber

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 16 Ratings

Workampers are adventuresome individuals, couples and families who have chosen a wonderful lifestyle that combines ANY kind of part-time or full-time work with RV camping. If you work as an employee, operate a business, or donate your time as a volunteer, AND you sleep in an RV, you are a Workamper! The Workamper Show is a podcast about workamping and the people who enjoy the lifestyle, either full-time or seasonally. It will feature interviews with current and former Workampers, as well as people who hire them to perform a wide variety of jobs. We'll even feature interviews with experienced RVers. The goal of The Workamper Show is to show people that they don't need to be retired to enjoy the RV lifestyle. We'll offer tips on getting started quickly, and making the most of the journey. Opportunities abound all over North America to work full- or part-time jobs. Some people work sales, management or customer service positions at campgrounds, tourist sites, amusement parks, wineries, farms and other public and private companies. Many Workampers accept new jobs every three to six months, which is plenty of time to immerse themselves in the culture of the area they're visiting. It's an excellent opportunity to experience a part of the country that many tourists only zip through on the way to their next destination. Perhaps they'll spend the summer in New England, enjoy the winter in Arizona, and head to the mountains the next year before venturing to Florida. Buckle up, you're about to launch a memorable adventure you've been dreaming about for years. The good news is that The Workamper Show will help you achieve your goal faster and more affordably than you imagined.

    Lesa McDermott and Mary Byrnes talk about Girl Camper plus RV Unplugged in Episode 269

    Lesa McDermott and Mary Byrnes talk about Girl Camper plus RV Unplugged in Episode 269

    Today I am interviewing two women who are very involved in the Girl Camper movement to help women to get together to learn about RVing and enjoy the RV experience. Both women are contestants in Season Two of RV Unplugged.



    Lesa McDermott is the vice president of operations for Girl Camper, and Mary Brynes works as the Nebraska guide to coordinate activities in her state. Both women are avid RVers with decades of experience.



    Girl Camper was founded in 2015 by Janine Petitt, who wanted to encourage other women to go RVing either as solo campers or with their girlfriends. There was not a lot of information available at that time to help women understand the technical aspects of RVing, nor were there a lot of events to help women get comfortable with the RV lifestyle.



    Today, the organization has guides in 30 states and a Facebook group touting more than 450,000 members.



    Girl Camper has done more to open the door to women entering the RV lifestyle than any other organization in the RV industry. The group puts on national rallies and smaller events in many states.



    Many times, the events are open only to women, but some events allow men and children to participate as well. The events page at www.girlcamper.com provides more details about ways women can connect with other women.



    The organization seeks to help women understand the basics of RVing, such as towing, backing and safety issues, as well as ways to work from the road to support their travel dreams.



    Girl Camper also orchestrates classes to help women understand how equipment on their RVs is supposed to work, and ways to troubleshoot problems or how to complete routine maintenance.



    For more information about the Girl Camper organization and the services it provides to women, visit www.girlcamper.com.



    People can also cheer on Lesa and Mary as they compete in the upcoming season of RV Unplugged. The first event airs on YouTube starting in late May.



    In fact, there will be a large rally in Florida where people can meet all the RV Unplugged contestants, have fun and learn more about the RV lifestyle. The event takes place Aug. 5 to 8 at Camp Margaritaville in Auburndale, Fla. More information is available at www.rvunpluggedtv.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. I’ll be interviewing another Workamping couple again next time, so please tune in again next week for another fun episode of The Workamper Show. Thanks for listening!

    • 33 min
    In Episode 268, Adventure Bandits Talmange & Ashanti Grace describe their online platforms

    In Episode 268, Adventure Bandits Talmange & Ashanti Grace describe their online platforms

    Today I am interviewing a couple of Adventure Bandits who have been RVing for several years and actually enjoyed an opportunity to compete in the upcoming season of RV Unplugged.



    Talmange and Ashanti Grace have been RVing together for more than nine years after realizing camping in a tent isn’t much fun, especially in the rain. In fact, Ashanti has been RVing since she was a child living in Alaska before she moved to Ohio where she met Talmange.



    For the past two years, the couple has been RVing in a 32-foot travel trailer. They got into the lifestyle after seeing their friends enjoy a lot of comforts, like a refrigerator, stove, bathroom and the ability to stay dry when it rains.



    Ashanti works at a remote job and Talmange runs his own business. They take their RV on extended trips where they combine work with play.



    The founders of Adventure Bandits, they have a lot of experience as part-time Workampers.



    They offered a great suggestion by encouraging couples to have cell phones connected to separate service providers. That way, if a Verizon connection doesn’t work in one area, a T-Mobile connection usually does. The couple also relies on Starlink to provide internet access everywhere they travel.



    To support their RV travels, Talmange and Ashanti set up a YouTube channel to teach weekend warriors how to get started in the RV lifestyle. That channel has more than 41,300 subscribers. They also started a Facebook community that now has more than 5,200 members.



    The couple meets with followers at annual “glamp-outs” that includes bands or a jazz player plus planned excursions in addition to raising money or providing service to charitable organizations. Talmange and Ashanti also host up to four Adventure Bandit Bashes annually to connect with fans.



    They have produced several hundred videos which show people the good and bad side of RVing, as well as recommend products to use and places to visit. The couple also tows a boat with them whenever they travel, which adds a new dimension to their videos.



    They’ll be making their first appearance in the upcoming season of RV Unplugged starting May 29, and would really appreciate support from their fans.



    People can connect with Talmange and Ashanti through their website at www.adventurebandits.net or on Facebook. People can also email them at adventurebandits1@gmail.com and subscribe to their @AdventureBandits1 YouTube channel.



    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!



    That’s all I have for this week’s show.

    • 31 min
    In Episode 267, Robert Earl describes jobs at Beyonder, and making resumes stand out

    In Episode 267, Robert Earl describes jobs at Beyonder, and making resumes stand out

    Today I am interviewing someone from a company which owns or manages multiple campgrounds in several states. Not only will he be talking about opportunities available for Workampers at his company, but he will also describe how Workampers can better ensure their applications get noticed.



    Robert Earl is the director of operations for Beyonder, a company that owns or manages seven campgrounds in Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri and Oklahoma. More facilities are being added to the Beyonder network all the time.



    A former Workamper himself, Robert starts the interview by explaining why it is so important for people to be very specific on their resumes regarding the type of experiences they have and skills they bring to the position. For example, Workampers should describe specific reservations software programs they can use, and indicate whether maintenance involved building things or fixing them.



    He also encourages Workampers to include examples of things they have done on a volunteer basis because experience is experience. Campgrounds often have limited resources, so they are usually looking for very specific skills. Therefore, Workampers should list things like planning activities for church in addition to details about work-related jobs.



    Robert also describes opportunities for Workampers at facilities owned and managed by Beyonder. Yes, the company is looking for Workampers this summer. Beyonder has opportunities in customer service, housekeeping, maintenance and even in management positions.



    I agree with Robert that many Workampers are generalists in that they don’t list specific skills and experiences on their resumes. It’s the specifics which are more likely to attract interest among campground owners, or any employer for that matter.



    When you think about it, adding specifics doesn’t take up much more space. Rather than simply noting you possess computer skills, tell employers you can operate Campspot, Microsoft Word, Excel and post videos to Facebook and YouTube.



    Robert noted he received 57 applications over a period of just a few days. Busy managers truly only have time to scan resumes for details that could be of use to their locations. It is for that reason many companies are turning to artificial intelligence to scan applications and resumes to pick out keywords.



    In addition, Robert encourages Workampers to play up their strengths and really promote things they love to do. That way, if the employer can use those specific skills, it becomes a win-win for Workampers and the company.



    He also explained it is important to include recent photos with any application instead of submitting images taken many years ago.



    Workamping for Beyonder is a good opportunity because all the jobs are paid at wages higher than minimum wage, and include a free RV site when two people are Workamping. Solos get 50 percent off the cost of a typical RV site. The company hires couples, solos and families as well as older teens traveling with their families.



    All Workampers put in about 20 to 30 hours a week and couples often enjoy having the same days off.



    More information about Workamping at Beyonder campgrounds can be found at www.beyondercamp.com/careers. People can apply for jobs directly from that website. However, they should also submit a resume with detailed descriptions of experience, skills and talents as well as a recent photos.



    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,

    • 33 min
    Joe and Rachel Stauffer describe supporting their RV travels with YouTube channels on Episode 266

    Joe and Rachel Stauffer describe supporting their RV travels with YouTube channels on Episode 266

    Today I am interviewing a couple from Florida who, although not full-time RVers, have been doing enough frequent, shorter trips that they have amassed quite a following on their YouTube channels.



    Joe and Rachel Stauffer are an amazing couple who, together, lost 290 pounds by following a keto-based diet. The transformation attracted so much attention from their friends and family that they started a YouTube channel to teach others what they did.



    There was a lot of demand for that kind of information because the couple has 66,400 subscribers on that channel alone who can watch 1,800 different videos pertaining to a healthy lifestyle. Producing all those videos became a full-time job.



    So, in 2020, the couple bought an RV to force themselves to go outdoors and leave the demands of producing content. Yet, they loved the RV experience so much, they developed another YouTube channel to teach people about the RV lifestyle. That channel features more than 100 videos being enjoyed by 28,500 subscribers.



    This year, Joe and Rachel are contestants on Season Two of RV Unplugged, a competition in which 10 couples compete as teams to win a $25,000 grand prize by demonstrating their boondocking skills while engaging in the types of fun people often have when using their RVs.



    The couple is enthusiastic about everything they do from losing hundreds of pounds to promoting RVing as a healthy and active lifestyle.



    They started out in a tent, but soon discovered that didn’t work well in Florida’s rainy seasons. So, they acquired a pop-up camper, which they discovered wasn’t much better because the canvass never really dried out.



    Eventually, the couple settled on a 30-foot Grand Design travel trailer, which they nicknamed Eleanor, and described their RV as the ideal camper for a couple.



    After losing so much weight, Joe and Rachel had much more energy and a stronger desire to embrace life. So, they started using their RV three to four days at a time every couple of weeks. They are technically Workampers because they continue to produce video content for their YouTube channels and meet with their followers wherever they travel.



    As the couple used their RV more often, they found themselves upgrading the unit to do more boondocking. They added a solar system for less than $6,000 which included 1,600 watts of roof-mounted solar panels, a 3,000-watt inverter, and more than 15,000-watt-hours of batteries. That allows them to run their air conditioners for three days without a problem.



    In fact, they boondocked for five days at the Florida RV Supershow this year where it rained every day, but the batteries were still at 80 percent capacity when they returned home. In one of their YouTube videos, Joe demonstrates how easy it was to install the system.



    Because Joe and Rachel are self-employed, they have flexibility to go camping in the middle of the week when parks and campgrounds are not nearly as busy. They love being able to use their RV for short trips, but they are planning to take some much longer trips starting this summer.



    In August, the couple will be back at Camp Margaritaville in Auburndale, Fla., for the RV Unplugged rally at which time the final episode will be aired. They encourage other RVers and people interested in exploring the RV lifestyle to take part in the rally to meet up with the contestants, most of whom are very experienced and knowledgeable RVers.



    To connect with Joe and Rachel, check out their YouTube channels at 2KrazyKampers and 2KrazyKetos or visit 2krazyketos.com.

    • 39 min
    In Episode 265, Patrick Buchanan talks about the RV Life network

    In Episode 265, Patrick Buchanan talks about the RV Life network

    Before I introduce this week’s guest, I wanted to do a Valentine’s-related plug. If you have an all-time favorite Workamping experience that you’ve enjoyed, the Workamper Show would like to give you the opportunity to express your love to that employer by coming on the show as a guest to talk about your experience.



    I’d need about 25 minutes of your time and I’ll even provide you questions to ponder in advance. Being a podcast guest is nothing more than having a conversation among friends about a fun experience you’ve enjoyed on your adventures. If you’re interested in talking about your all-time favorite Workamping experiences, get the ball rolling by sending me an email at podcast@workampershow.com.



    Today, I will be interviewing a representative from RV Life, which is a vast network of RV-related websites, forums and software apps all designed to help make the RV lifestyle more enjoyable.



    Patrick Buchanan is the director of partnerships for RV Life. He is responsible for coordinating vendors, manufacturers, clubs and content creators to help promote each other and to build awareness of the websites, products and services available to RVers today.



    He describes RV Life as a three-headed entity that consists of a very popular trip-planning app as well as at least seven blog sites, dozens of RV-related forums and several podcasts.



    Patrick is an RVer himself who owns a 43-foot Tiffin motorhome and uses it to travel to tourist destinations, visit his children and grandchildren as well as attend various RV rallies and shows.



    One of the flagship products produced by RV Life is a web-based software as a service app designed to help RVers plan their trips. The remarkable thing about the app is it allows people to plan trips on a laptop computer, where they can have multiple windows open on a big screen, then use a smart phone or tablet to navigate the route.



    Not only will the RV Life Pro app plot an RV-friendly route on major highways and local roads, but it taps into a database showing the location of thousands of RV-friendly fuel stops and 20,000 campgrounds featuring a half-million vetted reviews with photos. It has listings for local RV parks, state parks, national parks and even campgrounds owned by the Bureau of Land Management.



    RVers pay only $65 per year for access to the software, which is updated constantly with new locations and new reviews. It also includes an RV-safe GPS system and RV maintenance tracker. RVers can enjoy a free seven-day trial to check out all the features and benefits.



    RV Life also offers a plethora of quality content generated by RVers and posted on its websites and forums. Patrick said it is very likely that RVers have already connected to one of the company’s many websites or forums, even when they were just checking things out before buying their first RV.



    The first stop to connect with the network of websites and to access the software is to visit www.rvlife.com. More than two million people already have profiles on the network and it costs nothing to read the articles or the campground reviews. There is also a link to access the software. So, check it out today.



    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...

    • 32 min
    In Episode 264, Tanner Huckaby describes volunteering at the USACE Keystone Lake project

    In Episode 264, Tanner Huckaby describes volunteering at the USACE Keystone Lake project

    This week, I will be interviewing a representative from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about volunteer opportunities to work near Tulsa, Okla.



    Tanner Huckaby is natural resources specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It’s a job he has held for three years. Tanner works at the Keystone Lake project, just west of Tulsa. It is a sprawling lake spanning 26,000 water acres, and is well known for fishing.



    He is looking for a variety of volunteers who like working outdoors to help with beautification and improvement projects. They do things like make garden beds, help maintain trails and even install fish habitats in addition to routine work, like picking up trash and trimming trees.



    Army Corp of Engineers projects are a hidden gem in the outdoor recreation industry. The parks are always beautiful and often built on or near lakes and rivers, which makes a plethora of outdoor recreation opportunities possible.



    The Keystone Lake project is no different. In fact, that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district also includes Heyburn Lake and Arcadia Lake as well.



    Tanner said Keystone Lake emphasizes the quality of campsites over quantity. It is something I have witnessed at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds I have visited.



    A unique aspect of volunteering at the Keystone Lake project is that work schedules are completely flexible. Workampers commit to volunteering 24 hours a week in exchange for a free full-hookup RV site. But, they can determine how and when they schedule those hours.



    They can work a few hours every day, or pack all the hours in over a few days in order to have more time to explore the region. Another unique thing about Keystone Lake is the project contracts with third-party companies to clean the bathrooms and mow the grass, which means Workampers don’t do that.



    There are not many administrative jobs for volunteers to do at the project, so Tanner wants people to know they will be involved in activities to enhance the quality and beauty of the project.



    Tanner said Workampers can commit to volunteering for a few weeks, a few months, an entire season or all year, if they wish. The project accepts singles, couples and families. He would like to work with volunteers who have integrity and a good work ethic.



    There is plenty to do in that area. Tulsa is only a few minutes away, and Oklahoma City is about 90 minutes away. The project is located four hours from Dallas, and about three hours from Springfield, Mo., and 90 minutes from Arkansas.



    Visitors can still enjoy remnants of the original Route 66, and scenic beauty is prevalent in the area. That means there is plenty of opportunity for hiking and biking in addition to visiting museums and many state parks.



    For more information on the project, people can visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website or call Tanner directly at 918-340-9754. The project also has a page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usacetulsa.



    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 ...

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
16 Ratings

16 Ratings

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