Many RVers look for opportunities to give back during their travels. There are now numerous ways to donate your time and talents when you are on an extended road trip or embracing the RV life.
Getting Started
First, determine what you would enjoy doing, and then look for opportunities within your area of expertise. This can also be a chance to break away from what you did in your career and try something completely different. Be open to something new!
National Park Opportunities
If you’ve been camping for a while, you may already know that our National Parks and other public lands offer volunteer positions that allow you to stay for free in designated volunteer sites. In exchange for about 15–20 hours of work per week, you’ll usually receive a full hook-up campsite at no cost. While most positions are unpaid, the workload is light, and the perks are significant. The National Park Service manages more than 420 sites across the country—including parks, monuments, historic sites, and recreation areas—so chances are good you live within 100 miles of one.
Workamping
Workamping is a program that combines light duties at a salary of $7 to $20 an hour and comes with a full hook-up site. The hourly wage is often attached to the value of the site they are providing. Many workamping jobs are clerical: checking in guests, taking reservations, working in the camp store, or loading firewood. Workamper opportunities are all over the country, so you can plan a year-long excursion and stay several weeks at each location, getting to know the area and earning a few dollars to offset the cost of your trip. Check out their listings!.
Habitat for Humanity RV Care-A-Vanners
This volunteer program is part of Habitat for Humanity, a long-standing program designed to help people find affordable housing with sweat equity. RVers can find a build site through the website and camp near that location, bringing their skills to a task that can safely house a family one day. No set skills are needed here, so if you are not a tile installer or trained sheet rocker, they will train you. In addition to the traditional building teams, Habitat also offers RVers an opportunity to train to be a part of their Disaster Rebuild Team that helps communities rebuild after natural disasters. Their Collegiate Challenge Program allows retired people the chance to mentor students during semester breaks. You can also become an advocate and speak at churches and organizations promoting the group. Learn how you can help.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Here are two groups that provide more hands-on opportunities:
- WWOOF connects volunteers to organic and sustainable small farms and holdings across the world. There are many US locations. There is no money exchanged. The host farm provides accommodations, but RVs are welcome where permitted, and the guests have the chance to learn farming techniques and enjoy farm-to-table meals cooked by the hosts or volunteers.
- The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a cooperative of 31 trail maintenance groups headquartered in Harper's Ferry, WV, works with the National Park Service to keep the Appalachian Trail free from debris by removing downed trees from the trail, securing loose rocks and stepping stones, cutting back overgrown vegetation, and rebuilding any washouts from floods. The National Scenic Trail provides volunteer information on a number of beautiful trails in the US, including the Continental Divide and the Pacific Crest Trail.
Tips and Tricks
To get started, finding a way to make your life on the road even more rewarding, follow these tips:
- Contact state, local, and national parks directly to inquire about upcoming openings. Check in early because the coveted parks fill up fast.
- Join online volunteer communities for leads as people experience last-minute cancellations, which could result in the opportunity to fill a previously taken spot.
- Network with RV clubs and campground groups for leads on long and short-term placements.
- Make sure your RV is in good shape and will fit most locations. This gives you the best chance of securing the volunteer opportunity.
- Be flexible as projects can change due to weather and budgets.
- Be upfront with what your expectations and availability are before you commit.
Final Thoughts
Volunteering while enjoying a lifestyle you love is a win for everyone. Your travels are made fuller by new horizons and new friends. Wherever you roam on your adventure, volunteering along the way will only contribute to your adventures and memories.
