Living & Working in Great Places

Your Summertime Experience

I would like to go seasonal next summer in a park or at a ranch, and would like to hear from everyone that is working in a great location for a great employer. I am a bit past 50 yrs. old and housing really matters to me. Thanks for your help!!
Tom in Florida

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Permalink Reply by reggiecohen on August 17, 2007 at 8:33pm: i work at aramark this summer i had an blast but i had to leave due to personal reason at home they were very understanding about it i gave them my 2 weeks notices and i was told that i could come back anytime i wanted the housing isnt that bad for the first year u live in eiter 100-600 building then the 2nd year u will be in the 900 building which is alot better housing u have u own bathroom
cable in the room to the food is pretty good u are going to have the partiers that like to stay up all night and make alot of noise but for the most part its quiet have u decided on what postion u going to apply for; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CHRISTINA on August 23, 2007 at 7:26am: Tom: I have worked for three different lodging concessions in the national parks, a private concern and for the National Park Service. All have their pros and cons. Housing is always an issue when working in a National Park because the buildings are old (historic), but you don't spend much time in them so if you can stand cramped sleeping quarters you will love most experiences you undertake. Those that provide room and board give you an opportunity to spend more time with the great people you will meet, and usually you will end up making good friends whom you live, work and play with. I've been lucky to keep many of these friends when we've all gone our separate ways. I live in Florida too, over 50, and have been doing these adventures for 9 years. I would suggest Yellowstone as your first entry. If you want more information contact me at champ12127@aol.com. Tina; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tom on August 24, 2007 at 5:39am: Thanks for the info, Christina. Will be in touch.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by PJH on August 31, 2007 at 7:37am: I've been traveling and working seasonal jobs for the past 8 or 9 years and one of the best places I've found for people our age is Pahaska Tepee Resort, at the east gate to Yellowstone. I went for a summer and stayed 3 seasons. Nice place, good management and they take your age into account when it comes to housing, so you have a good chance of not being put in the "party" housing. Privately owned properties generally have better housing than the parks, I've found. This part of Wyoming is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, too, with easy access to Yellowstone and Cody! Check it out...www.pahaska.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tom on August 31, 2007 at 8:06am: PJH,
Thanks for your info, I'll check it out, would really be nice to escape from Florida next summer. Are you going back there next year?
Tom in Florida; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by PJH on August 31, 2007 at 8:09am: ...I also wanted to warn you to stay far, far away from Flagg Ranch Resort at the South gate of Yellowstone in the Tetons. It looks great on the outside, but is a total nightmare as an employee. The owner is insane - truly! - and delights in making life as miserable as possible for his employees to see how long they will last. There are even betting pools for how long a new employee will stay. That is why you CONSTANTLY see their ads on Coolworks. OK, that's my best and worst...good luck and enjoy it!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tom on August 31, 2007 at 8:13am: Yep, I have reading about that place for years....I'll stay away. Whats the best place you ever worked as far as the housing situation? i.e., clean, quiet and decent food?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Anderson on November 8, 2007 at 12:13pm: Just for clarification, the owner of Flagg Ranch has not been on property since 2002.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by windmoonstarsocean on September 8, 2007 at 8:35pm: I had a excellent summer because the area I was in was phenominal. The housing... sucked, I felt so unsafe in the house I stayed in my room and was afraid to even go into the kitchen. One employee whilst drunk got physical with me and the other was so drunk all the time he was barely functioning. Management felt they had a *hands off* policy when it came to housing. They even let a guy have his wife and baby(who cried and screamed constantly) move in with no warning. That's when I said enough is enough.

I wish I had been in some kind of union. I almost wanted to call he BBB and report them. They didn't give us the pay rate we were told w were going to get previous to arriving. They ended up raising mine when I threated to quit but never my bf's.

They also didn't send him his last two weeks of tips with his final paycheck like they said they would, and stiffed him on the last week he was there to get it.

We worked our asses off in there kitchen and loved every minute of the work but I would never recommend anyone working for them because of how they treated us.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LaurenWilbur on October 2, 2007 at 3:05pm: NEVER WORK AT FLAGG RANCH RESORT!!!!! Management is insane! The BBB should look into this place.; ▶ Reply to This