We were wondering about working on a site next year - general help in return for free pitch. Have seen work advertised between 2- 6 hours a day ( 6 hours not my idea of a working holiady - too much work ). I was wondering if anyone had actually done this and what the reality of it was - is it as ideal as it seems or is it just plain very hard work but in pretty place ?

All experiences very gratefully received.

I do know there are people on here who have worked on sites - some as couriers for one of the large companies, and some helping out privately on sites for a similar arrangement to that you quote.  

My son worked for Canvas Holidays for a season - as a courier, and during high season that was quite hard work, even on a site where the accommodation was mainly used for longer stays.  It must be really hard work on a 'transit' site where tents and mobiles are mainly used for overnight stops during a lot of the season.

My friends work for HappyCamp - an Italian company, and they are currently on a new site in Sardinia, where at the moment they're working an average two hour day!  However, by the end of this week they expect that to change and for six or eight weeks it will be flat out with some very long days (and nights)!  They've also worked for Canvas Holidays in the past.

All the bigger companies start recruiting couriers late in the year, or in very early Spring, and then there tends to be a second round of recruitment in about May/June when some people appear to drop out. 

You can also find jobs as campsite assessors for organisations such as Alan Rogers - but don't expect to earn a fortune, and it may turn out to be quite hard work on a fairly rigid timetable. They usually advertise on-line at the end of the year/early Spring and expect assessments to be done in April/May/June.

Like you, I'd consider six hours work a bit steep for one night on site - and you need to research exactly what's being offered, and expected.

Caravanning and Campsite Job Finder

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/jobs/

short of nowt   'ere  

my son also worked for one of the bigger companys,eurocamp in france and although busy the day was spread out into 4 shifts.they did have to slum it by living in tents next to each other, each company housing their employees in one of the tents, set back away from the main campsite. you can only imagine the state it got in!! but he finished the season and enjoyed the experience, most of the team were aroung the same age, 20ish. the older couples  working for the main companys tended to bring their own caravans and not socialise much with the younger ones .

a close relative has commenced work for a french employer this year on  a campsite in france and just be aware they work exceptionally long days with little thanks, oh i meant no thanks. dont say you you were'nt warned!!!

Thanks everyone, we were wondering about working for actual sites rather than canvas, eurocamp etc. 

Thanks for link to the jobs, that part of teh site was what made us start looking in teh first place.  -- ah well got the winter to think it over.

Thanks again.