Workamping with kids wasn’t something we ever imagined we’d be doing.
When we told people we were moving into an RV with three kids, the reactions were… mixed.
A five-year-old, a toddler, and a baby — in a camper? Were we crazy?! Maybe.
Now we’re workamping in the mountains around Asheville, North Carolina, and this chapter has been one of the hardest and most beautiful we’ve lived yet.
Whenever we get a break, we explore the area — and if you’re planning a visit, you can see our favorite things to do in Asheville, NC this weekend.
In this post, I’ll walk you through what workamping with kids is like, how to find jobs, the biggest benefits, the disadvantages you should honestly consider, and if this lifestyle is a good fit for your family.
Save this pin for more RV life with kids
What is workamping?
Workamping is a way of working while living at a RV park. Basically, you trade some of your time (and sometimes get paid) in exchange for a free or discounted RV site, hookups, and sometimes extra wages.
Most Workamping Jobs are Things Like
- Host/Office help
- Cleaning facilities
- Landscaping
- General maintenance
- Helping with activities
Families can do it, couples can do it, and even solo travelers — and you don’t have to be traveling constantly. You can be stationary and still workamp at one campground for months at a time – and if you’re just starting out, see our RV must-haves for beginners.
How to Find Workamping Jobs
If you’re searching for RV park jobs, workamping is one of the most flexible ways to find them. Many campgrounds and RV parks hire seasonal help in exchange for site benefits, and some positions also include hourly pay.
There are websites created specifically for workamping jobs. These are some of the best places to start:
- Workamper.com (Workamper News) – One of the most popular resources for workamping jobs
- WorkampingJobs.com – Free job postings from campgrounds
- Kamper Jobs – Easy-to-browse listings for RV park and campground work
- Workamper Facebook group – Facebook groups are one of the fastest ways to hear about open workamping jobs.
Contact Campgrounds Directly
One of the most overlooked ways to find workamping jobs is simply calling or emailing campgrounds directly. Search for campgrounds in the area you want to stay and look for:
- Employment pages
- Workamper or Camp host info
- Or just call the office and ask
A lot of small campgrounds don’t advertise their jobs online, even when they’re hiring.
Sending a short intro email to ask if they employ workampers can lead to fast responses, especially if you attach a Canva-created photo of you and your rig so they can immediately picture who’s reaching out.
Workamping with Kids: Why We Chose This Lifestyle
When we tell people we live and work in an RV with three kids, the reactions are usually fascination… or confusion.
“Why would you do that?”
“Isn’t that hard?”
“Don’t you miss having a house?”
The truth? Yes — family workamping can be hard. And yes, sometimes I miss having more space. But we chose workamping with kids intentionally — and it has changed our family in ways we never expected.
Perfect Timing
When one of my old friends first got pregnant, she shared a quote with me from John Lennon that I’ve never forgotten: “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”
At the time, it didn’t hit me the way it does now.
Back in 2020, my husband and I bought a camper van and dreamed of hitting the road full-time, inspired by creators like Eamon & Bec.
If you want to see where it all started, check out our camper van build and the beginning of our road life dreams.
Kids weren’t really part of the plan yet.
Before having kids, I always said there was no way we could afford them. Then—BAM—life had other plans… and thank goodness it did.
Now I can’t imagine being away from them. Their childhood is so important to me, and being present for it has always been my top priority.
If you’re wondering how motherhood eventually pushed me to create a completely different kind of life and income, you’ll want to read how starting a mom blog changed my perspective, outlook, and mindset.
The Cost of Living
The cost of living everywhere feels heavy right now. Housing, utilities, groceries, gas — it adds up quickly. Workamping allows us to trade work for our RV site, which dramatically lowers our biggest expense: housing.
That shift gave us breathing room financially. But what surprised me most? It also gave us breathing room emotionally.
When you aren’t constantly chasing a mortgage or stressing over rising rent, something changes. You begin to ask deeper questions.
What kind of childhood do we want for our kids?
What kind of community do we want to build?
What are the pros and cons of RV life with kids?
Hi, We’re the Rogers
At HikeCookShare, we’re a family of five navigating RV life, toddler chaos, and tiny-space adventures together. I share our real-life experiences, easy family recipes, must-have RV gear, and tips that make full-time RV living with kids manageable—and fun! Cozy up and explore our posts to see how we make life on the road work for our family.
Giving Our Kids a Different Kind of Childhood
In my hometown, if you didn’t play sports, you didn’t quite fit in. If you didn’t fit into a certain mold — athletic, outgoing, following the crowd — you stood out. And not always in a good way.
It feels silly now, looking back. But small-town culture can quietly shape the direction of young lives.
I don’t want my kids to feel like they have to “fit in” to belong.
I want them to explore who they are.
To hike. To create. To get dirty. To try new things. To spend more time outside than inside.
That’s why we chose workamping with kids — because this lifestyle gives them space to grow outside the mold I grew up in.
Our kids have more time outdoors. More time observing nature. More time interacting with adults and other families. More opportunities to see different lifestyles and perspectives.
They’re learning that there isn’t just one way to live. They’re learning early that belonging doesn’t come from fitting in — it comes from being themselves.
Built-In Community
Campgrounds are social by nature, and work campers often form close bonds quickly.
You’ll meet fellow RVers from all walks of life, share meals, watch each other’s pets, and build friendships that last far beyond the season.
This sense of community can be especially valuable if RV life ever feels isolating.
The Disadvantages of Workamping with Kids (The Honest Part)
Let’s be honest — workamping with kids isn’t always mountain views and campfires. For a full look at the highs and lows, check out my post on all of the pros and cons of RV life with kids
Work schedules don’t stop for kids.
You’re expected to help guests, clean cabins, or handle office tasks — even if someone is crying or a toddler refuses to nap.
Weather impacts both work and play.
Rainy or cold days make it hard to get outside, and hot days can make shifts grueling. Campground tasks don’t pause for discomfort.
You’re always on the clock.
As a parent and workamper, you’re managing employees, guests, and your own kids simultaneously — multitasking becomes nonstop. Even with these challenges, workamping with kids teaches resilience, flexibility, and teamwork.
You learn to adapt quickly, problem-solve on the fly, and celebrate little victories — like a quiet shift or a happy camper — making it an experience that stretches your family in unexpected ways.
A Day in the Life of Workamping with Kids
Our days aren’t glamorous, but they are full — and this is what RV life with kids looks like for our family.
- My husband is usually up by 6:30 a.m. to clean the bathhouse, handle laundry, recharge equipment, and open campground facilities. Meanwhile, the kids are waking up hungry in our small living space, so breakfast has to be quick and ready to go. This pb and j overnight oats recipe will become your favorite too!
- By 8 a.m., I start my remote job Monday through Wednesday while balancing work and kids inside our RV. Those evenings, Travis goes back out after 5pm to handle outdoor tasks.
- Then Friday through Sunday, he works in the campground office taking reservations, selling merchandise, collecting rent, and handling electric payments while I keep life moving at home with the kids.
Who Workamping with Kids Is (and Isn’t) For
- You value a lot of time together more than square footage
- You’re flexible and willing to adapt
- You enjoy simple living
- You’re okay with unpredictable days
It might NOT be right for you if:
- You need strict routines
- You crave personal space
- You need silence to function
And that’s okay. This lifestyle isn’t better — it’s just different.
Is Workamping Worth It?
For us, the answer is yes — even on the hard days, even when it’s loud, and even when someone always seems hungry. We traded big space for more together time, easy comfort for real connection, and waiting for someday for living right now.
What we’ve gained instead are slower mornings, messier shoes, deeper talks, and memories our kids will grow up with. Workamping with kids isn’t about avoiding life; it’s about being intentional with our time.
If you’ve ever wondered if this lifestyle could work for your family, maybe the real question isn’t “Can we?” but “What would happen if we tried?”