All in a day’s work

Optimism and a friendly disposition are some of the biggest assets for Rose Higgins as she manages the Barkerville campgrounds.

Rose Higgins thinks it’s probably time she retired—but she’s decided not to participate in that whole retirement thing just yet. Instead, she’s been managing a trio of campgrounds near Barkerville for five years with her daughter, Samantha Rogers.

“I enjoy working with the public,” said Higgins. “My daughter is my partner in crime—this is a good way for her to be able to be employed and also have her children with her. It’s a win-win situation.”

Over the winter months, Higgins takes a vacation of her own and also spends time visiting family. After a summer spent managing three campgrounds and hosting countless guests, a holiday is well deserved.

“We get started around 5:30 or 6 in the morning and go check on our guests,” said Higgins. “We get ready for our day of work, which involves cleaning and making sure the reservations for the next day are ready. We then prepare to welcome the new people who come in. At night we register the guests and talk to them about going to Barkerville the next day and whatever else they might enjoy in the area. We may go to bed by 11:30 or 12, and then we do it all over again.”

Both Higgins and her daughter live on site over the summer, but they also have several local employees that return for the season. Although the hours are among the biggest challenges, Higgins said that the job is rewarding overall. Some days, Higgins will end up tired, only to be encouraged by a compliment or positive comment from a guest. A little kindness to a deserving campground host can go a long way.

Higgins and Rogers, are doing something right, and they have the evidence to prove it. Their campgrounds won silver in RVwest’s Reader's Choice Awards. Higgins said she was overwhelmed and she wants to thank everyone who nominated the Barkerville campgrounds, saying that it helps her keep up the good work.

“(My favourite part of the work is) talking to the people,” said Higgins. “It’s absolutely unreal. You can listen to their stories, and they like to listen to yours. It just makes the job worthwhile—there are a lot of lovely people out there.”