Today’s episode focuses on the experiences of a seasoned and enthusiastic workamping couple.

Mike and Betty Gill are RVers from Louisiana, who have been on the road since 2010. They have worked a variety of workamping jobs over the years, but found a position they really like at the Dollywood amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

They like the job so much, that they work there twice a year, starting in March. Then, when the high school and college students arrive for work in summer, the Gill’s head out to visit family and tour the country. In the fall, they show up again to work until the park closes for annual maintenance in January.

One thing that Mike and Betty talk about is their experience at Workamper Rendezvous, an annual week-long meeting that takes place in Heber Springs, Ark., later this month.

They describe things they learned, and explain how what they learned at Rendezvous actually enabled them to begin an RV lifestyle within a few months.

They describe the lifestyle and what they like about it. But, they also discuss some challenges they have faced and what others can do to avoid them.

After listening to Mike and Betty, I wanted to go to work at Dollywood myself. It sounds like a fun place to spend some time helping other people make memories of their own.

I really liked the flexibility that the job gives to Mike and Betty so that they can work for a while in the spring, take some time off to travel, and come back to the same jobs they enjoy.

Not every Workamping experience provides that kind of perk, but there are lots of jobs just like it.

They prove that it’s possible for anyone to make a decent income while enjoying a life of travel and adventure. One way they are doing that is by operating a part-time business from their RV, which many workampers chose to do as well. It cut their annual tax bill to one-third of what they were paying.

Mike and Betty were also singing praises after attending the Workamper Rendezvous event a few years ago in Heber Springs, Ark.

They credited that event with helping them hit the road just a few months later. And they also credit the event to opening their eyes to all the full- and part-time job opportunities open to workampers of all ages.

They learn the essentials of workamping, but also how to manage a successful life on the road.

If you’d like to jumpstart your Workamping experience, you can still attend this year’s Rendezvous, which takes place Oct. 21 to 25.

You can find more information about the 18 scheduled speakers and other fun activities by visiting www.workamperevent.com.

For more information about workamping in general, be sure to visit www.workamper.com.

Today’s episode was sponsored by the National RV Training Academy in Athens, Texas. The academy’s one-week live training or home study course will teach you everything you need to know to fix about 80 percent of the problems people experience with their RVs.

Or, you can sign up for additional training to become an RV inspector, campground technician or provide mobile RV service. For more information, visit www.nrvta.com.

That’s all for this week’s show. Please join us again next week for two new episodes of The Workamper Show. Thanks for listening.

 

*** Transcript ***

 

Greg Gerber:                     For today's episode, we're going to go to Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans to talk to Mike and Betty Gill who have been Workampers for quite a while. Welcome to the show guys. I'm glad to have you with us.

Mike Gill:                            We are glad to be with you.

Betty Gill:                           Thanks so much for taking time to ch...