taken advantage

[StraitRVing]

On 7/14/2020 at 12:13 PM, Kirk W said:

So do you create your own contract and ask them to sign it? I have always asked for them to list specifics by email but recall only one or two places that had anything like a contract, out of about 30 different locations we have volunteered. 

I think the better word choice for us is a written agreement verse contract since we are not being paid money.   We only recall one place that had an actual contract (titled that way too) that was presented to us.  The rest were written agreements that were signed by both parties.  The details were what was contained in the email exchanges and phone calls.  The campground and us worked together on writing up the agreement most the time.   

 

Edited July 17, 2020 by StraitRVing

[Twotoes]

I always send a confirmation letter email to the job describing what I/we have agreed to. The length of the stay, the job duties, the hours expected and the compensation such as a free camp site with FHU. That way everybody is on the same page. 

[gjhunter01]

We have volunteered in 28 states in our 8 years of full timing, with a goal to hit all 48 states. It seems like state parks are expecting the most from volunteers due to universal budget short comings. We never get a formal written contract and will verbally renegotiate the work load as needed with the understanding that we could leave if things don't get worked out (never happened yet). We recently arrived to camp host in a N. Indiana S.P. and when we arrived were told the other 2 volunteer positions were unfilled for a 288 camp site park. So we were the only host here! The original work verbal agreement was to pick up garbage, clean fire pits for our 1 of 3 loops and to fill in the 24hr week requirement, we would assist the front gate on Fri's. This turned out to be pre-checking in cars prior to the gate stop in full sun, on pavement, and in 90+ July heat. When we arrived, we negotiated to pick up garbage and clean fire pits for all 288 camp sites and forego the check in job. I had the upper hand in this negotiating because they knew if we left, they would have no host for the cg. We still average 32 hours/week because we want to and the wife and I can clean all the vacant of 288 camp site fire pits in 6 hours each/12 hrs total.

We like to volunteer because it keeps us busy as we want to. We have learned not to volunteer at S.P.'s back to back or you will get burned out. Try a N.W.R. or a different adventure inbetween S. P.'s. We also don't agree to clean bath rooms and have found most S.P.'s don't expect that. We will monitor bath rooms and change toilet paper if needed along with emergency cleanups, but no scheduled cleanings for us.

We have found that 1 month is ideal for a volunteer stint, any longer and it just becomes a job. For some states, that may require getting creative, like in CA that has a 3 month volunteer min so we got 2 parks to agree to a 6 week stint each. In NY, they have a 2 week max volunteer period, so we signed up for 2 different state parks. As a volunteer, don't be afraid to market your skills/strengths and taylor the volunteer job to your desire. The worst they can say is no! We also make it a point not to return as volunteers, although every park has asked us to, but our reasoning is that if we would have stayed/returned at the last park, we would have never experienced the current park. Each park is a new experience, whey waste time doing repeats.

Edited July 20, 2020 by gjhunter01

[Kirk W]

8 hours ago, gjhunter01 said:

We also make it a point not to return as volunteers, although every park has asked us to, but our reasoning is that if we would have stayed/returned at the last park, we would have never experienced the current park. Each park is a new experience, whey waste time doing repeats.

We have a great deal in common with you! We didn't have the goal of volunteering in each state, but did spend volunteer time in 28 of them and like you, we generally didn't return but made an exception a few times. Our first volunteer position was a county park in CA that was fairly close to where our youngest son was stationed and we went back the following year, only to learn that you can only have any experience the first time once, and as a result the first time is usually the best time. There were 2 other places that we were more than once but those were both near grandchildren. 

Like you, we did not do bathrooms as a part of our routine duties. Of our 38 volunteer experiences, we have left early 2 times. But the overall experience was good enough that we have done 4 more volunteer tours since returning to part-time travel. We did tend to stay longer than you but part of that was most of our positions have been in federal facilities which usually ask for 3 months and we found that if we were in an area that we had never visited before, 3 months was not too long in order to have time to visit everything for 100 miles in all directions. Only a few places that we ran out of things to see. 

[gjhunter01]

Thanks Kirk, I have followed your post for the last 10 years and have used your information as mentoring advice.

[2gypsies]

On 7/19/2020 at 7:55 PM, gjhunter01 said:

We have found that 1 month is ideal for a volunteer stint, any longer and it just becomes a job. For some states, that may require getting creative, like in CA that has a 3 month volunteer min so we got 2 parks to agree to a 6 week stint each. In NY, they have a 2 week max volunteer period, so we signed up for 2 different state parks. As a volunteer, don't be afraid to market your skills/strengths and taylor the volunteer job to your desire. The worst they can say is no! We also make it a point not to return as volunteers, although every park has asked us to, but our reasoning is that if we would have stayed/returned at the last park, we would have never experienced the current park. Each park is a new experience, whey waste time doing repeats.

We agree that one-month to six-week stints worked best for us and found that most public parks agreed to it.  Rocky Mtn. NP did not... they wanted more hours and more months.  However, they did agree that if we could find someone to split it with us they would work with us.... and they did.  That park utilized over 1,000 volunteers.  Since it was close to a major city most volunteers were there just for a day from their homes.

As far as returning to the same park.... we only did that with one park .... Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore in Michigan.  We were staying in the park for the first time and absolutely loved the park and the surrounding area.  While there we went to talk to the ranger and asked if they needed any help.  We were 'hired' on the spot for the rest of the 6-week fall season (an awesome time to be there).  We returned each fall for 9 seasons.  We also added 3 yr. of giving lighthouse tours  in the summer for six weeks on South Manitou Island, part of the park and were given a little historic home to live in on the island.   This was our all time favorite place to volunteer.  We didn't clean bathrooms.  We did the c.g. census at 7am in the morning; pulling tags for those leaving and making note of those coming in after hours who still needed to pay.  Then we went into the office to check in campers and some misc. paper work.  We left at noon and had the day free for us.  We shared the job with other couples who did afternoons and evenings.

[solo318]

37 minutes ago, 2gypsies said:

As far as returning to the same park.... we only did that with one park .... Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore in Michigan.  We were staying in the park for the first time and absolutely loved the park and the surrounding area.  While there we went to talk to the ranger and asked if they needed any help.  We were 'hired' on the spot for the rest of the 6-week fall season (an awesome time to be there).  We returned each fall for 9 seasons.  We also added 3 yr. of giving lighthouse tours  in the summer for six weeks on South Manitou Island, part of the park and were given a little historic home to live in on the island.   This was our all time favorite place to volunteer.  We didn't clean bathrooms.  We did the c.g. census at 7am in the morning; pulling tags for those leaving and making note of those coming in after hours who still needed to pay.  Then we went into the office to check in campers and some misc. paper work.  We left at noon and had the day free for us.  We shared the job with other couples who did afternoons and evenings.

Now your just trying to make us Jealous. That sounds AWESOME

 

[Kirk W]

1 hour ago, 2gypsies said:

We also added 3 yr. of giving lighthouse tours  in the summer for six weeks on South Manitou Island, part of the park and were given a little historic home to live in on the island. 

We did lighthouse tours for the Oregon parks with a month working at Caper Mears lighthouse and then another month at Hecate Head lighthouse. We had a week to move between the two. 

[2gypsies]

2 hours ago, Kirk W said:

We did lighthouse tours for the Oregon parks with a month working at Caper Mears lighthouse and then another month at Hecate Head lighthouse. We had a week to move between the two. 

We also did Heceta Head Lighthouse.  Fun gigs!!

[George the greek]

this is an update 

I've struggled with finding a way to finish the season here. This past week  all the other volunteers  quit and left. I spent the weekend asking myself why am I here and could not come up with one good reason. So I started my week  on edge but was still thinking its only 5 more weeks. A situation developed which made me feel disrespected and talked down to. SO the decision became clear. I will finish the week then will also leave. I do feel bad not completing the season here but it is just not in the cards. I've got to hope the next place is fun and is better, I know I'm here to work  but as a volunteer I expected to be treated with just  a little bit of respect and have time to enjoy the area.  

Thanks again for all the replies you wrote 

George The Greek

Edited August 5, 2020 by George the greek

[2gypsies]

Don't feel bad about leaving.  You did a lot more than some would do.  The next one will definitely be better!!  Stay safe.

[Kirk W]

10 hours ago, George the greek said:

I've got to hope the next place is fun and is better, I know I'm here to work  but as a volunteer I expected to be treated with just  a little bit of respect and have time to enjoy the area.  

I understand how you feel as we had been volunteering at different places for 10 years before we had a really bad one where we left early and with hard feelings. But just keep in mind that nothing in life is perfect and it is the unhappy experiences that make the good ones so special. We have now done more than 30 different RV volunteer tours and in all of those only 1 was a really bad experience and only two did we leave early for any reason. The others were all good experiences and most were truly outstanding. 

[George the greek]

Hi folks, now that this is all behind me I'm in a much better state of mind. I'm roaming again. Presently in Montana fishing. So I've been thinking about trying again the volunteer work camper next year. My question is what to tell perspective job offers about why I bailed out early. This was my first work camp job If I don't tell them then I'm in a class of no experience. If I do tell them it may hurt my chance of getting the position. What would you say?

George the Greek

 

[Kirk W]

6 minutes ago, George the greek said:

If I do tell them it may hurt my chance of getting the position. What would you say?

I see no reason to even bring it up. And I also suggest that if you aren't looking for any pay you might find the level of appreciation for your work is much better at places like the national wildlife refuges, state parks, or even Corps of Engineers. We have spent time at more than 30 of that type situation over the years and in that time we have had only 1 bad experience. 

[bigboomer]

George,

Yes you were being taken advantage of....we felt the same way. See our blog post just before you.

We have worked both paid and volunteering and this year we felt more than ever taken advantage of.

As word gets out,, these places will suffer the consequences of how they treat the Volunteers and paid staff.

 

[2gypsies]

If you want to apply for your new gig... with past experience ... then you'll have to put that down on your application.  However, chances are - even if they would ask you about the experience  - you don't have to volunteer why you left. and that you left early  Just give them the work experience you performed and the accurate date of leaving.  You don't have to put down a date when you were supposed to leave; just the date you left.  Don't volunteer anything that you're not asked about.  If it does come to that then be honest about the whole thing.  There's nothing wrong with leaving the job when you weren't told truthfully what the job entailed and the long hours involved.

You'll have a much better experience with your next one.... guaranteed.  Keep us informed!

[bigjim]

7 hours ago, George the greek said:

George the Greek

Got any clue on where you want to go next?

[George the greek]

On 9/13/2020 at 2:18 PM, bigjim said:

Got any clue on where you want to go next?

Im fishing in Montana now will winter in New Mexico then will try to get on in Idaho for a summer position 

 

[George the greek]

On 9/13/2020 at 11:58 AM, 2gypsies said:

.  There's nothing wrong with leaving the job when you weren't told truthfully what the job entailed and the long hours involved.

You'll have a much better experience with your next one.... guaranteed.  Keep us informed!

That sounds like good advice. I did do a lot of repairs on the mowers, saws, air conditioners, and golf carts  as well as all the mowing . 

[sandsys]

1 hour ago, George the greek said:

Im fishing in Montana now will winter in New Mexico then will try to get on in Idaho for a summer position 

 

Do you have a workcamping job in New Mexico? I've heard the state parks there are opening Oct 1st but ONLY to New Mexico residents.

Linda Sand

[Kirk W]

8 hours ago, George the greek said:

will winter in New Mexico then will try to get on in Idaho for a summer position 

If interested in a volunteer position in NM, check out the national wildlife refuges there as there are several that use more volunteers and most of multiple sites. Most years they would be filled by now but I suspect they have been slower to fill with covid. For next summer, the ID state parks have been a very good place to volunteer and are known for treating their volunteers well. We particularly recommend Harriman State Park at Island Park, ID. 

[George the greek]

7 hours ago, sandsys said:

Do you have a workcamping job in New Mexico? I've heard the state parks there are opening Oct 1st but ONLY to New Mexico residents.

Linda Sand

Linda, 

No I have a nice big 5th wheel in a smaller park at Elephant Butte. The park is $175 a month +electric.  So Ill park the 19'  for the winter. 

 

[George the greek]

57 minutes ago, Kirk W said:

If interested in a volunteer position in NM, check out the national wildlife refuges there as there are several that use more volunteers and most of multiple sites. Most years they would be filled by now but I suspect they have been slower to fill with covid. For next summer, the ID state parks have been a very good place to volunteer and are known for treating their volunteers well. We particularly recommend Harriman State Park at Island Park, ID. 

Kirk,

New Mexico is a place I will stay in my big 5th wheel I keep it at a park year round but it is just too hot in summer for me. I m not volunteering in the winter. Thanks  for the info about the state park Harriman its probley not too early to start applying for next summer

George 

[bigjim]

I will most likely be spending at least several months in southern NM this  winter. Maybe Deming but considering other areas. A friend who volunteered with me used to winter in the TorC area a lot. He was fond of Caballo SP and had an annual pass.  What park do you keep your 5thW at?  Wouldn't mind meeting if we get the chance. They are really after me to winter with them this winter but it doesn't seem likely.

[George the greek]

11 minutes ago, bigjim said:

I will most likely be spending at least several months in southern NM this  winter. Maybe Deming but considering other areas. A friend who volunteered with me used to winter in the TorC area a lot. He was fond of Caballo SP and had an annual pass.  What park do you keep your 5thW at?  Wouldn't mind meeting if we get the chance. They are really after me to winter with them this winter but it doesn't seem likely.

I am 7 miles from T or C in Enchanted View park in /elephant Butte