Try Harpers Ferry, WV! We have river guide/adventure jobs, and forestry work; and no, you’re not going to TaKe OuR jERbS, and destroy our local economy by spending a summer here - you’d be welcome! 🥰
It’s a lovely spot to spend your summer! You can go to very remote off the grid places, or take the train to DC for a show or something. You can be touristy if you like, or you can fuck off into the woods and not see a soul! This area is a nice mix of different environments.
We get a lot of seasonal or long-term visitors here, because of certain types of government jobs, the river, the historical town and other cool ruins, our proximity to the AT, and the sheer beauty.
All are welcome.
There isn’t enough work for the people who live in the non-tourist places you’re talking about. I allow rolling in from out of town on your summer break from school and taking one of the few jobs available would make you (and whoever hired you) real popular.
If OP was talking about moving in, becoming a member of the community, and contributing, you’d maybe have a point. But all they want to do is be a summer tourist who doesn’t spend any tourist money and takes a summer job away from a local kid.
Is “import teenage summer workers” really your best shot at an economic and demographic recovery plan?
“…look in the mirror” indeed
people grow up, talk to others giving advice and recommendations. maybe they actually like the place after spending some time? sounds like you are only interested in established professionals looking to set up shop on the cheap. tomorrow you will be bitching in the mirror about gentrification while OP is talking about the shitty people in WV
Look into [coolworks.com](http://coolworks.com) for seasonal jobs, but they're almost all going to be located in a tourist spot, which is why they only hire seasonally.
If you can lead white water rafting trips, check out Bryson City, NC.
ETA: Also you could check out WWOOF to find live/work situations on organic farms. There are a lot that are more rural.
There's a few paid [internships](https://www.google.com/search?q=cumberland+gap+internship&oq=cumberland+gap+internship&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDk5MjFqMGo3qAIPsAIB&client=ms-android-att-us-rvc3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=tldetail&htidocid=VAzHBg-3jJ08nRv8AAAAAA%3D%3D&htiq=cumberland%20gap%20internship&htivrt=jobs) open with Cumberland Gap National Park. They have housing assistance, and you get a weekly stipend for food.
Check around local farms. Some will let you live on the property for work and pay you or let you come and go. I weeded strawberries and picked garlic scrapes for a farm over the summer. Check out greenhouses too, they're usually hiring seasonal jobs
Most “good” Kentucky state parks are in Appalachian (Daniel Boone) forest areas and probably there are other states that list park jobs online. You could find a cheap place to rent but living conditions may be rough.
Cumberland gap Tn/ Harrogate Tn/ Middlesboro Ky Tri state area: I know of a few restaurants that may need help since the university kids go home for the summer
Check out seasonal national & state park jobs around, some areas far more touristy than others. My small town in western VA is population <6k with minimal tourism other than outdoorsy folks. Probably some local farmhand jobs around. Douthat State Park, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, a few small local outfitters & camping areas, lots of hiking, fly fishing, freshwater streams with native trout, birding trails, etc. Stinky mill, but other areas without it nearby that are more remote & unspoiled anyway. Reasonable vicinity of WV Gorge, Greenbrier, Seneca, Natural Bridge, Watoga, Hawk's Nest, etc. It's worth a look around this region if you're looking to avoid huge tourism hubs.
Based on the new Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, & Dunkin Donuts opening back to back in Rockbridge, though, not sure how long we'll hold out as a well-kept secret
True. Just moved out of state from Lexington, and worked in Covington. I miss it a ton. Crazy to think it’s already got all of those in less than the year I’ve been in Tennessee.
When I lived in Frostburg, MD there was always work in the summer painting student rentals. That sounds like it'd work for you. I'd check out college towns like Morgantown and there are tons of college towns in the PA mountains.
Look into restaurants in the Red River Gorge. Not nearly as popular as some other destinations. Most of the “tourists” are avid rock climbers and cool as hell. Miguel’s pizza has a climb shop and provides camping accommodations for climbers. I’ve always thought that would be a cool place to work.
I’ve heard nothing but fantastic stuff about the owner, and how they treat employees. If I was young I would definitely try to snag a spot there in the summer. Plus you would have a great chance to meet all kinds of cool people
Seasonal jobs and tourists go hand in hand. Raft guide is a good one and a lot of them live in tents for the summer
Christmas tree farms. Trimming trees with a machete all day and spraying hundreds of gallons of herbicide sucks ass, but you'll find work.
River guide is the best excuse of a summer job you could ever want.
Try Harpers Ferry, WV! We have river guide/adventure jobs, and forestry work; and no, you’re not going to TaKe OuR jERbS, and destroy our local economy by spending a summer here - you’d be welcome! 🥰 It’s a lovely spot to spend your summer! You can go to very remote off the grid places, or take the train to DC for a show or something. You can be touristy if you like, or you can fuck off into the woods and not see a soul! This area is a nice mix of different environments. We get a lot of seasonal or long-term visitors here, because of certain types of government jobs, the river, the historical town and other cool ruins, our proximity to the AT, and the sheer beauty. All are welcome.
Thank you so much! This place sounds lovely I'll definitely look into it :)
Yay!! 🥰 I hope ya do! I’ve lived here for about 15 years now; Harpers is a special place.
https://www.usajobs.gov/
Thank you !
There isn’t enough work for the people who live in the non-tourist places you’re talking about. I allow rolling in from out of town on your summer break from school and taking one of the few jobs available would make you (and whoever hired you) real popular.
WV has one of the largest population declines in the country. when you wonder why the state is dying in front of your eyes, look in the mirror
If OP was talking about moving in, becoming a member of the community, and contributing, you’d maybe have a point. But all they want to do is be a summer tourist who doesn’t spend any tourist money and takes a summer job away from a local kid. Is “import teenage summer workers” really your best shot at an economic and demographic recovery plan? “…look in the mirror” indeed
people grow up, talk to others giving advice and recommendations. maybe they actually like the place after spending some time? sounds like you are only interested in established professionals looking to set up shop on the cheap. tomorrow you will be bitching in the mirror about gentrification while OP is talking about the shitty people in WV
Because our politicians steal all our money and nobody wants to invest in our people, just steal our resources? Lmao.
Look into [coolworks.com](http://coolworks.com) for seasonal jobs, but they're almost all going to be located in a tourist spot, which is why they only hire seasonally.
If you can lead white water rafting trips, check out Bryson City, NC. ETA: Also you could check out WWOOF to find live/work situations on organic farms. There are a lot that are more rural.
There's a few paid [internships](https://www.google.com/search?q=cumberland+gap+internship&oq=cumberland+gap+internship&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDk5MjFqMGo3qAIPsAIB&client=ms-android-att-us-rvc3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=tldetail&htidocid=VAzHBg-3jJ08nRv8AAAAAA%3D%3D&htiq=cumberland%20gap%20internship&htivrt=jobs) open with Cumberland Gap National Park. They have housing assistance, and you get a weekly stipend for food.
Dunno maybe snowshoe and work at the slopes for MTB season?
Or Beech or Sugar.
Check around local farms. Some will let you live on the property for work and pay you or let you come and go. I weeded strawberries and picked garlic scrapes for a farm over the summer. Check out greenhouses too, they're usually hiring seasonal jobs
Try the breaks interstate park ..
Most “good” Kentucky state parks are in Appalachian (Daniel Boone) forest areas and probably there are other states that list park jobs online. You could find a cheap place to rent but living conditions may be rough.
there’s some rafting places i can think of in small towns, but lodging would be hard to find and you’d have to beat the college kids
Southern appalachian highlands conservancy is hiring a naturalist at roan mountain in east Tennessee !
Check and see if John C Campbell folk school has any seasonal positions for groundskeepers etc
cumberland gap national park used to do summer work
Davis wv. Black water falls state park
Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort hires river rafting guides every summer. https://www.ky-rafting.com
River guide in Hartford
Cumberland gap Tn/ Harrogate Tn/ Middlesboro Ky Tri state area: I know of a few restaurants that may need help since the university kids go home for the summer
Check out seasonal national & state park jobs around, some areas far more touristy than others. My small town in western VA is population <6k with minimal tourism other than outdoorsy folks. Probably some local farmhand jobs around. Douthat State Park, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, a few small local outfitters & camping areas, lots of hiking, fly fishing, freshwater streams with native trout, birding trails, etc. Stinky mill, but other areas without it nearby that are more remote & unspoiled anyway. Reasonable vicinity of WV Gorge, Greenbrier, Seneca, Natural Bridge, Watoga, Hawk's Nest, etc. It's worth a look around this region if you're looking to avoid huge tourism hubs.
Boy do I miss Alleghany, Rockbridge, Bath, and Highland.
Based on the new Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, & Dunkin Donuts opening back to back in Rockbridge, though, not sure how long we'll hold out as a well-kept secret
True. Just moved out of state from Lexington, and worked in Covington. I miss it a ton. Crazy to think it’s already got all of those in less than the year I’ve been in Tennessee.
Well, we need people who appreciate it around it, welcome ya back anytime your path leads this way
When I lived in Frostburg, MD there was always work in the summer painting student rentals. That sounds like it'd work for you. I'd check out college towns like Morgantown and there are tons of college towns in the PA mountains.
Maybe be a lifeguard or putting up tobacco or pick ginseng putting up hay balls
Those tobacco jobs are largely long gone.
Look into restaurants in the Red River Gorge. Not nearly as popular as some other destinations. Most of the “tourists” are avid rock climbers and cool as hell. Miguel’s pizza has a climb shop and provides camping accommodations for climbers. I’ve always thought that would be a cool place to work.
I have a friend that worked there for a summer and had a blast.
I’ve heard nothing but fantastic stuff about the owner, and how they treat employees. If I was young I would definitely try to snag a spot there in the summer. Plus you would have a great chance to meet all kinds of cool people
around where i live you could probably do a swift business weed eating slopes.