Congratulations, you have been hired for a work-camping position in a new area. Find out if a site is provided for you, and try to arrive a week or so before your start date. Even if your site is not be available, you may be able to find a site nearby. The point is to have some free time to become familiar with the area.
Learn your way around. You’re now on site, either a few days early or ready to start work. When in town, find the visitor center and pick up a map. Many towns have those cartoonish maps of streets and businesses that can be very helpful and often include coupons.
Prioritize your shopping needs and organize which stores you will go to. Find the local grocery chain or the Mom and Pop grocer. Some towns have only a mom and pop grocer. If there is a chain store, get the savings card; we typically save about 20 percent at the store we use, and for every $100 you spend, you get 10 cents off per gallon at the store’s participating gas station.
Depending on your job and where it is, some businesses offer discounts for work campers. At two of our jobs, some of the local businesses offered us discounts. Let’s face it, work camping is at the lower end of the wage scale; we will take any discount offered!
If the nearby town is very small and they don’t have all the services you need, expand your circle. For example, at the Grand Canyon, Williams, the closest town with typical services is 65 miles away. The next town with a good selection of stores is Flagstaff — 30 miles farther. Just imagine, 100 miles to Walmart!
Find the nearest medical facility
Medical Services. Be sure to add finding the nearest medical services and facilities to your to-do list. You may have physicians, dentists and vets back home, but what about where you are work camping? A cracked tooth may not be able to wait until your return. Ask around for references; ask your doctors back home too. They may know someone where you will be. Some advance planning will make it easier to locate services and obtain medical records in case they are needed.
Postal Services. Will you be away for an extended period of time? Find the local post office and rent a P.O. box. Often, or campgrounds have mail services so you can arrange to receive mail. Be aware that you will need an appropriate I.D. to rent a post office box. An insurance card, a government issued photo I.D., as well as many other forms are accepted, but your Social Security card is not.
Integrate yourself into the area. You want to be here, so make the most of it. Find the library and get a card; find the hardware store, the movie theater, etc. This will be your home for a while. Are you a member of a social or fraternal group? Find their meeting place and join in. Above all, have a wonderful time.
See you on the road. We are lovin’, livin’ and workin’ in our home on wheels.
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