By Greg Gerber
Opened in 2001, Dixon’s Campground is a small 125-site facility located just outside of Cape Neddick, Maine.
About 25 of the sites are rented by seasonal campers, but most are occupied by nightly guests. There is a good mix of sites nestled in the woods as well as those set up in open fields near the swimming pool. The sites are designed to accommodate RVs no longer than 36 feet, and several sites are set aside exclusively for tent campers.
The original owners retired at the end of the 2023 season, and transferred ownership to their daughter, Sarah Bell, and her husband, Pip, who run it today with assistance from their two young children.
The campground is situated along U.S. Hwy. 1, just 15 miles north of the New Hampshire border. That makes visiting Dixon’s Campground convenient for people living throughout New England.
In addition to running the campground during summer months, Sarah is also a full-time teacher. Kip works full-time for a local plumbing and HVAC company, but he helps at the campground most nights and weekends.
As a result, Workampers play a big role in helping Sarah and Kip to keep up with the day-to-day tasks of caring for guests.
A Close-Knit Workamping Community
In 2024, the Bells hired four sets of Workampers, who each put in about 20 to 25 hours per week.
Couples often work shifts together, with one person working in the office taking reservations and greeting guests as they register. The other Workamper helps guide guests to their campsites and gets them hooked up to water and electricity.
The outside worker also maintains the pool, and ensures the shower facilities are kept super-clean every day. Dixon’s Campground uses its own honey wagon service to pump out holding tanks for guests once a week.
The campground has employed Workamping families in the past, as well as a few solos. However, that decision is handled on a case-by-case basis and is subject to availability. Most Workampers return for multiple seasons.
Typically, the Workamping season starts at the beginning of May in order to dewinterize the facility and get it ready for guests who begin arriving in mid-May. The season usually wraps up for nightly campers at the end of September, but seasonals are allowed to stay through the second weekend of October.
Workampers may be asked to stay another week or two beyond that to help winterize the campground. However, Workampers may be able to stay as long as the water lines are still operating.
Why Workamp at Dixon’s Campground?
Workampers are paid whatever Maine’s minimum wage is for all hours worked. In 2024, that was $14.65 per hour.
They also receive a free campsite, and have access to the honey wagon to pump out their own tanks as often as necessary.
There are no special skills or qualifications required to work at Dixon’s Campground. However, the Bell’s prefer hiring people comfortable enough with computers to operate the company’s Fireflight reservations system.
Ideally, people working outside jobs need an eye for detail when keeping restrooms cleaned and the grounds looking pristine.
The most important trait for all Workampers is having the ability to take initiative when they see something that needs to be addressed, and then jump in to accomplish the task.
The Bells desire Workampers who are upbeat, positive and welcoming to guests so they get settled into the sites and enjoy a quality experience at the campground.
“We are a small, family campground – not a big corporate entity,” said Pip. “We don’t have many Workampers, nor do we hire a lot of local people to help us.
“Everyone working for us is integral to our mission,” he added. “If we lose someone right before the season starts, or even in the middle of the season, it would put us at a real disadvantage and the campground in a difficult situation.
“Regardless of who we hire, it is nice to know we can count on them for a full season,” said Pip. “We need people who can take the initiative to stop and pick up a piece of trash rather than driving past it.”
Seasonal Details and Application Process
Most years, the Bells expect to begin recruiting for Workampers in early August to start the following May. After receiving a resume, they schedule phone or Zoom interviews quickly in order to make hiring decisions by the end of August.
The campground has been fortunate to have several Workampers returning up to five seasons in a row.
“That has been wonderful for ensuring continuity of our business during the ownership transition,” Pip explained.
“Some of the Workampers return to the area because they’re returning to Maine to visit their families,” Sarah added. “Others just want to experience the beauty of living in Maine for a summer.”
Her parents continue to help out at the campground from time-to-time. Pip and Sarah may be new to campground ownership, but Sarah started working at the campground when she was in college to help with the family business.
“Our Workampers become part of our family, which helps us convey a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere,” she explained.
Explore Maine During Your Downtime
The area around Dixon’s Campground provides an abundance of recreational opportunities for off-duty Workampers.
The campground is located only a few miles from some wonderful beaches and museums. The waves are strong enough that people can go surfing, if they wish.
There are plenty of restaurants and nightlife opportunities in nearby communities, like Kennebunkport and Ogunquit, Maine, as well as in Portsmouth, N.H., all of which are less than 25 minutes away.
For people who like to hike, the White Mountains of New Hampshire are about two hours away, and Maine’s Acadia National Park is a four-hour drive. The fall season explodes with colors that draw visitors from all over New England for “leaf peeping” of the fall foliage.
“Maine itself has a lot of places for people to explore,” Sarah said. “There is a ferry out of Portland which tours the Casco Bay. The whole coastline has islands to explore. Maine is really the place to be for people who like boating, kayaking and paddleboarding.”
History buffs can head to Boston, which is about 90 minutes away. In fact, the entire eastern seaboard is a fascinating place with quaint little villages and many historical sites, especially for events related to the Revolutionary War era.
Want to be a Workamper at Dixon’s Campground?
For more information about Dixon’s Campground, check out their website at www.dixonscampground.com.
Pip also recommended reading online reviews submitted by customers to get a better understanding of why guests enjoy staying at Dixon’s Campground.
People interested in becoming Workampers are encouraged to email a resume to [email protected].
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