Getup'ngo
Utah
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Joined: 02/18/2007
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I'm a half-time RV'er and volunteer for the Park, Wildlife & Park services. I just had my fall gig fall apart when the in-place volunteers asked to stay for the winter (can't blame the park ... do the math ... I'm a single RV'er and they are a couple).
As I cast about for a new place to go, my favorite Louisiana refuge (which normally is scrounging for volunteers) is booked until June 2011!!!
My theory is that FT'ers who normally would workamp for pay are having trouble finding paid gigs ... so are doing long-term volunteering in order to have a place with hookups.
So ... I'm putting the question out ... is this true? Or maybe the economy has put more people on the road?
Janice and Bandit the Wonder Dog (+ Kiwi too!)
2000 Holiday Rambler Vacationer, 2 slides
Toad green 2001 Honda CRV / Blue Ox towing system
Steer-Safe stabilizer and Bilsteins all around
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mtdew999
Backwoods, Oregon
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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From my experience - this with the local parks around me, of which there are many, this being a recreational paradise - yes. The winter climate here sucks, cold rain until it starts snowing, followed by more cold rain until summer starts. It's been a struggle for the local parks to keep a host for the winter - who wants to stay here when they can travel south? Not so this year. The seven RV parks within 10 miles of me all have at least one host booked (I happened to be looking for a space for a relative that wants to winter here), and the state park that is open year round has a host for each of its 4 camp loops. This is a huge change from previous years.
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DianneOK
Donnelly, ID
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Janice....Black Bayou?
Dianne
Donnelly, ID
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Getup'ngo
Utah
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DianneOK wrote:Janice....Black Bayou?
Hi Dianne. Yep. Gay said they are booked up until June 2011, and even have some folks who want to come in Sept-Oct of that year. Are you among those scheduled in already?
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DianneOK
Donnelly, ID
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No...we had to get off the road Family issues.... Wish I was still going there. Terry hears from Ronnie frequently....
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Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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Joined: 06/17/2001
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Black Bayou Lake NWR is a nice place. (Ask DianneOK who sent her there?) We really enjoyed our stay but don't generally go to the same location more than once or occasionally twice.
I think that a lot of how quickly locations fill comes from the publicity that they get. There are still parks and refuges that are looking while others fill quickly. If there are a lot of previously paid people doing the volunteer positions, we have not run into it at all.
It has been my experience that most who are used to being paid are not willing to put in the number of hours for just an RV site that we usually find required for most volunteer positions with RV sites.
Good travelin! ........Kirk
Professional Volunteer
www.adventure.1tree.net
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Getup'ngo
Utah
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I know what you mean, Kirk. Dianne sent ME there. I think the 16 hours a week at Black Bayou is inviting as well. Thanks for the feedback.
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