Three Months Into Our Workamping Gig

 Hey Y'all,

We are just about exactly three months, or half way, in to our first workamp position. What are our thoughts? What are the positives and negatives to this specific position? We'll let you know!

We decided not to do a video this time, but we have plenty of content all across social media:

linktr.ee/outlandadventures

We share lots of shorter clips about our day, scenery, etc. on TikTok. Most of our longer videos can be found on YouTube. A little bit of everything goes on our Facebook page. 

Sometimes there is overlapping content. Occasionally one platform (usually TikTok) will get the content first, if we're cross posting. I think there is enough different content across all our platforms to follow us everywhere, but you can judge for yourself, and pick the platform(s) that you prefer.

Back to our thoughts on this workamping position!

Stunning sunset.

Let's get started! 

You know we like to end on positivity, so we'll start with the negative.

Workin'

Negatives:

1) Not many days off together. 

Chris does tasks and maintenance on weekdays, when I'm  mostly free. Then he's off on weekends, while I'm busy in the camp store/office. 

2) No laundry on site. 

It'd be really be helpful for the monthly and seasonal campers especially. The nearest laundromat is okay at best, and they close at 6p! There isn't another for 20 miles or so. Laundry is such a time suck, and laundromats are boring.

Fresh mulch!

3) Location.

There isn't a whole lot close by. A few truck stops, a few dollar stores, a few little eateries, and that's about all.

4) Amenities in the campground.

There aren't a ton- bath house, pond for fishing/swimming, playground, communal space near the rec hall, and a few trails in the back.

5) Feels like two separate, and not always equal, campgrounds. (Not really relevant to our work camp experience, other than I could help with marketing, but I wanted to mention it.)

From a business standpoint I understand catering to the seasonal campers a bit, they are loyal returning customers.

However, in my opinion the money is really in filling up the "weekender" section.

If the 30ish sites in the section were filled twice a week for the month, that's 240 nights times an average of X dollars for the 6 month season- that'd be roughly half of what the seasonal sites bring in for the full year. Double that to 4 nights per week and it's making just as much, if not more than those seasonal sites do per year. To further this point, if someone got the monthly rate and stayed just two months they'd have filled a "weekender" spot for that time and paid almost the same as a seasonal does for the year. 

I should note seasonals are responsible for the maintenance of their sites, and they pay for their electric, where monthly/weekly/nightly do not.

I still feel like a bit of marketing could go a long way. We have had several delivery people from various companies (the bulk of whom are local) not even know the campground existed- it's been here since the mid 70's and has been owned by the same family for the duration.

Sunset!

Full disclosure there were a few bumpy moments early on regarding communication, and hours, but we've worked those out pretty easily.

Now onto the

Positives:

1) Location.

Now, wait a minute.... Didn't I just list this as a negative? 

I did, but as with most things it can be both.

The lack of "stuff" nearby makes for a very quiet park with tons of  scenery- in the campground, and nearby.

Birds at the pond.

2) Very kind, and easy going owners.

They are easy to work with, and for. Any issue is resolved immediately, and there's always available to assist when needed. They've been fantastic when it comes to my appointments, as well as our long, long, long delay in May. They're very hands on, and you can always find one, or both, working in the park somewhere. They really love the campground & camping.

3) The jobs are pretty easy.

That's not saying Chris' job isn't physical most days, but it's not mentally taxing, and therefore gives him time to come up with his next stories while working.

Amanda thrives in an admin roll, and customer service, so she picked up the software and processes pretty quickly. She enjoys busy days in the office almost as much as reading electric meters.

Blue Jay, upon arrival and setup.

4) Time off.

While not always together, we both have a lot of free time each week. This has let us focus on other pursuits, while working for the spot! 

We've grown all our social media here- two platforms are earning money, albeit very little. We've received our first, second, and third collab/sponsors here. We have the time to post to Facebook daily, TikTok at least 3x a week, and try to get at least once video up on YouTube. (There is no Wi-Fi here, and the phone hotspot is a bit slow, so sometimes an upload takes over a day.)

Chris edited, finished, and published his first book in his time off. He's currently working on his second.

We've also explored nearby attractions, and towns. 

We've spent lazy afternoons at the pond, floating around and watching the dragonflies. We've also sat out  in our camp chairs looking over the field adjacent to the campground and watched a storm roll in.

 

Part of our spot.

5) Absolutely beautiful spot.

We've shared it on social media before, and there are pictures/videos on all our platforms. The sunsets here are amazing! 

We see woodpeckers, squirrels, robins, blue jay, and cardinals daily. We've also seen bunnies, hawks, deer, turkey, and so many more species of bird and animal.

This spot, and 99.9% of the others, is (are) huge! We have a few bushes, and three shade trees on our spot, as well as a yard that could easily accommodate much more outside furniture than we have, and plenty of space to toss the frisbee. (It's also pretty level!)

  

Amanda, ready for an office shift.

6) Quiet.

Even when the campground is near full- like 4th of July weekend, it's quiet. 

Part of that is that a lot of the campers are return customers, and appreciate the solitude. Another is that even when you have "neighbors" they aren't right on top of you. This is nice as workampers, once we're off we can relax and unwind with ease.

Sunset!

7) Ease of deliveries.

We've had Amazon, UPS, FedEx, Instacart, local pizza place, and  U.S.P.S. to name a few.

None of them have given us any issue, and using these services has been a game changers since the bus gets such fantastic gas mileage {sarcasm}. 

We've ordered pizza a few times, and they call when they leave the store and we meet them at the gate. Instacart lets us know through the app when our shopper is near and we meet them at the office. 

Other packages are left at the office table designated for such things. (We also deliver packages from the office to campers if/when needed.)

Tending the burn pile!

8) Nature/Beauty.

We've kinda mentioned it already, but here we're always emersed in nature- while working and when we're off. Today for example Chris is working digging water lines in the sandy earth under a canopy of a variety of trees. Even when Amanda is in the office, she's nestled in the pines at the front of the campground, surrounded by birds and squirrels. 

We already mentioned the sunsets. They really are some of the best we've seen!

On a clear night the sky is full of stars and constellations, and you can gaze upon them for as long as your hearts content.

So... what are we looking for in our next gig?

1) Paid work, with a similar schedule for both of us.

2) Laundry on site.

3) Closer to a small town. (Not a big city, we are not city people.)

4) A trail system, or walking path.

5) Heated/Cooled Bath House.

6) A decent amount of nearby attractions/parks/etc.

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

How To: Camp Side Crafts

 Hey Y'all,

In these Camping crafts today, both are kid friendly, and require minimal supplies!

For today's first craft, We're making a simple primitive patriotic wall hanging. If I were going to do this again I'd probably double the size, and use cardstock. If you do that, please share with me on social media!

I used my Cricut Joy for this, but it could easily be done freehand, with other shapes, papers, etc.

Link to this project in DS:

https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/6499e656c9563cf1c6effec1

Materials:

Cricut Joy

Joy Mat

Paper of your choosing (I'm using papers from a Recollections 12x12 stack from 2021. If you wanted to make this with paper I'd go a bit sturdier, and suggest cardstock instead.)

String, ribbon, or yarn

Dowel Rod or clothes hanger (I used a skewer, because I had several on hand, and we hardly ever use them on the grill.)

Scissors (Y'all know I love the Fiskars PowerCut, but for this project especially, any will do.)

(Hole Punch, I could have had the Joy do this step, but forgot. If you don't have eith, a simple poke with a fork will do.)

Step One:

Start up & open the Joy app, Select a new project/canvas. I kept it simple here, and we're just using the free star shape. Duplicate that star as many times as you'd like. I did 14 total.

Optional: Add the hole to each star, buy slicing out a small circle from the first one before duplication.

Step Two:

Plan out your layout, and color placement. For me this is more a rough idea than a must follow. You get as accurate as you'd like. 

Step Three:

Prep all your mats, and cut. For me I did roughly a 11.25 x 15in design, so I had 8 mats.

Do all the fun involved in waiting to cut....

Step Four:

Remove the stars from all your mats.

Step Five:

Prep your hanging apparatus. I used this skewer I had on hand, and some white string.

As previously mentioned, if I did it again I'd probably use a small dowel rod, and  cardstock, or stiff fabric stars.

Step Six:

If you didn't add the hole to the stars in Design Space, here's where you'll use that hole punch.

Step Seven:

Measure & cut your string (or ribbon, yarn, whatever you've chosen).

Step Eight:

Using the layout you made in Design Space, follow along and assemble. I just tied a simple knot each step of the way. You could use tape, glue, or any other adhesive you like.

Step Nine:

Continue adhering stars, and attaching to your base until finished.

Step Ten:

Admire your work!

If you make any variation of this please tag me on social media!

Next, Cuff Bracelets:

For this next craft we made T.P. Cuff Bracelets. They are even easier to make than it sounds!

Supplies:
T.P. roll or paper towel roll
Scissors
Paper (from scrap stash)
ATG or other adhesive
Stickers (From left overs/scraps)
Optional~ Hole punch, twine

An adult or bigger kid should probably do this part. I didn't bother measuring, just cut each section to desired width.

Cut the seam to make a cuff bracelet.

Various sizes.

The papers we chose (from scraps).

Tape Glider.

Sticky side up!

Adhering to the paper.

Trim off excess paper.

Since these were for little wrists I decided to add some holes & twine.

Getting it ready.

All strung up.

Stickers!

First completed bracelet.

Sticky side up for #2.

OOOOO Shiny.

Double holes.

More stickers!

 

Zig Zag!

This was a really simple craft to do, and other than the twine it was all from my scraps. 

Share your Camp Craft ideas below!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

A Year FT Van Living! This Year's Travel Bucket List

 Hey Y'all!

Last Year when we started living full time in Brunilda, our 1991 Chevy G20 Conversion Van, we came up with a bucket list for the year. We never shared it with anyone, so we're doing that now.

We liked the idea, and it gave us a bit of a travel goal for the year, so we decided to do it again this year.

Without further ado here's what we accomplished from last year:

We had a lot on our list, and we're grateful to have accomplished most of it!

Here's a list of what we did:

See the eclipse (from Oakridge Campground in Rockport, IN)

Alabama!

Another state- South Carolina

5 State Parks; Warriors Path, Cedars of Lebanon, Harrison Bay, David Crockett Birthplace, all in TN. Santee in SC. 

2 National Parks; Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (KY/VA/TN) and Cuyahoga Valley National Park (OH)

A National Wildlife Refuge/ Nature Preserve; Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (AL) Hatcher Gardens, Edisto Memorial Gardens, Glendale Preserve & Waterfall (all SC) 

(Amanda) Read 52 Books!

Walk A Mile A Day (Average)

7 "Mom & Pop" Campgrounds (our goal was 10); Oakridge Campground (IN) Oh Kentucky! (KY) Cowford Campground (AL) Mammoth Ridge (TN)  Woodsmoke Family Campground (SC) Pine Ridge Campground (SC) Outside Inn (SC) 

15 Free Overnights (outside of family); Planet Fitness (2) Walmart (2) Lowe's (1) Cracker Barrel (9 for sure, maybe more) Tamarack (1) 

Movie Night/Date Night

Any Amusement Park; Kokomo Beach (IN)

Beach Trip! (We didn't make it to the ocean, but we still played on a lot of beaches.)

Day On The Water

2 State Parks Outside of TN (Goal was 5); Fort Boonesborough (KY) Santee (SC)

A Trip With No Interstates; Kokomo, IN to Owensboro, KY

5 Visitors Centers was the goal; We love a visitor center! Richmond, and Berea KY, as well as Welcome to KY Visitors Center, OH Welcome Center, IN Welcome Center, as well as Rockport Visitor Center, Alabama Welcome Center, Athens and Scottsboro Visitors Centers, TN Welcome Center (3) as well as Greeneville and Jonesborough Visitors Centers, NC Welcome Center, SC Visitor Center as well as Spartanburg Visitors Center. (17?)

Our goal was 100 subscribers on YouTube, we've surpassed it now- but at the end of 2024 we sat at 95!

Try a new food monthly! This was easy, and fun to accomplish. From fresh sea food in AL, to the best Brazilian cuisine in SC, and a little Cajun place in IN we had some great meals in 2024! 

4 Lakes (Goal was 5); Wheeler Lake, Chickamauga Lake, Lake Reba, Cherokee Lake

4 Rivers (Goal was 5); TN River, Ohio River, KY River, Holston River

What didn't we do?

Grow Social Media (much)

Eat out 2x max per week

500 Followers/Subscribers

As we said, we're pretty happy with what we did get accomplish! I'm sure there are things we forgot, which is why we're gearing up to track things better this year.

So, what's on the list this year?

3 New States

A Day On The Water

4 New State Parks

Amusement/Waterpark Day

5 Visitor's Centers

Post to Social Media Daily

2 Wildlife/Nature Preserves

100 Subs on  Outland Adventures YouTube- WE DID IT! Currently at 106!

Then 500 Subs on YouTube

Travel By Train/Train Ride

Ghost Tour (Anywhere) - We did one in 2024 in Franklin, and it was okay, we've done them in the past and really had a lot of fun. The one in Chattanooga just was too large and moved too fast.

10 "small" campgrounds (not franchise, or state parks)

20 Free Spots

(Amanda) Read 52 Books!

Get the Drone out 2x month

Hit the beach, look for shells

Another National Park

Try local foods 1x mo

Visit with a fellow nomad

50 Followers on TikTok

50 Followers on Facebook- WE DID IT! Went from 40 something to 165 in January!

Then 100 Followers each!

Collab with a brand

Enjoy Fall Foliage for as long as possible

Camp in 2 new State Parks (Too bad I made this goal for a new one, we've done Warriors' already!)

Ride bikes

Tour a Small Town, See the Goofy Stuff

Visit a Nature Center/Zoo- We did Cleveland Metroparks Zoo last year, and really enjoyed the Rainforest.

Find a cool rock- leave it behind

Make a new recipe monthly

4 Museums (any kind)- We didn't get to many last year- AL Veteran's Museum, and Spartanburg Railroad Museum, Greeneville Museum, Jonesborough Museum, KY Hall of Fame & Museum (Okay maybe we did more than I thought...)

5 Tours, of any kind- Last year we did Mayfield, Ghost Tour, Carnton, Carter House, BMW, Walnut Grove Plantation, Greeneville Car Museum/Tour

Visit Local Libraries (Goal of 10?)

As you can see we have already accomplished some of our Social Media list, YAY! As soon as radiation finishes for me we'll begin our travels again!

What's on your travel list this year? Share in the comments below!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife