Work Camping Provides Opportunity To Travel Country

Several people are spending the summer in the tri-cities at KOA campground, and aren’t paying for their campsite. It’s not a problem, but rather a help for the campground. They are taking part in the KOA Work Kamping program, which allows them to stay for free in return for working a certain number of hours a week for the campground.

Mike Anderson is a Vermont native who has wanted to travel the country for many years. Now that he is retired, he has the opportunity. But he says it would be tough to pay to stay at different places without this program. Anderson does everything from helping maintain campsites, to maintenance on the campground swimming pool.

Leon and Lillian Norton are from Dallas, Georgia. They have spent the last two summers working in the Work Kampers program. They’ve traveled to South Dakota, West Virginia, and Florida without having to ever pay for their campsite. The retired couple says it affords them the chance to travel like they’ve always dreamed, and they’re not done yet. “I’ve got a wish list of places we want to go,“ says Lillian.

And by saving money on their camping, these workers are able to go out and spend more money in the local area. They will be here until October, and they have already visited Bristol Caverns, Bays Mountain, and the Bristol Motor Speedway, as well as state parks, restaurants, and stores in the area. Anderson even bought himself a new Harley-Davidson from a local dealer.

It’s a win-win situation for the workers and the campground, providing labor for KOA, and a means of following a dream for the travelers. And it also provides a boost to the local economy.

If you are interested in becoming a Work Kamper, you can apply online at http://www.koa/workatkoa/