Amazon CamperForce Newsletter

Camper Check List

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Make Campground Reservations. Provide Educational Verification to your CamperForce Team. Take inventory of your fitness level
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Why Campers? June Referral Campaign Wrap up Before you arrive... Tips from Campers
Site Updates

Why does Amazon need US??

WHY CAMPERFORCE?
There are a number of reasons for starting what was once merely a pilot for an Amazon Seasonal Camper Program. First and foremost, along with exponential growth, came the need for increased staffing. Each Peak, Amazon Fulfillment Centers essentially double or triple the workforce in each facility to meet customer demand and deliver the treasured Amazon customer experience. In certain geographic areas, meeting this staffing need is harder than in others. Currently, temp agencies provide temporary staffing for these positions during Peak. But in the case of these 3 Legacy Sites in Coffeyville, Campbellsville, and Fernley, we have exhausted every avenue and everyone who CAN and WANTS to work for us during that time already does! After trying creative programs and busing folks from as far as 3 -5 hours away, in 2008 we stumbled upon what is commonly called the work camper. Who knew there were travel enthusiasts out there in their RVs, Campers, and 5th Wheels who would be willing to see KY, KS, or NV while working a few weeks or a few months with us to help us meet our goals in being the worlds most Customer-centric company?? Since 2008, a pilot season when we started the program in Coffeyville with a handful of campers, CamperForce has now grown to a branded Amazon program that seeks to employ an estimated 1300+ work campers for the 2013 Peak Season!

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Again, WHY CAMPERS?

*CamperForce associates are a unique and diverse workforce! *Most are NOT looking for a careerjust a means to supplement their retirement/income/travel expenses... *Some need to work, but most WANT to work... *In general, most have a great work ethic, want to do a good job, and consider their commitment to be a promise and desire to keep their commitment to Amazon. *Work campers form their own community wherever they go and frequently gather for social events, from the campfire to holiday pot-lucks. Campers build lasting relationships that last longer than the assignment... *Campers integrate into our communities, often participating in community events and even contributing via service projects and volunteerism.

Site Updates

Contact Info Some FAQs

CAMPERFORCE IS A WIN-WIN for Amazon, Campers, and Communities!

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Before you arrive to Work Hard, Have Fun and Make History
Its so hard to believe its already JULY!!!! It seems like just yesterday it was January and we were attending the RV Super Show in Tampa and experiencing Quartzsite! We start recruiting campers for the next Peak Season as soon as the current season ends! Time has certainly flown. Before you know it the RVs will start flooding in to Campbellsville, Coffeyville and Fernley! This months edition will focus on those things to be aware of before you arrive. Returning CamperForce associates have submitted their best tips, their best practices in what it takes to succeed during the Amazon Peak Experience. Our returning campers have been through Peak, understand it, and want to help to make it a fulfilling experience for you. Our hope is that when the Tail Light Parade heads out in December, youll look back and say we Worked Hard, Had Fun, and Made History!

Our Mission:

To be Earth's most customer-centric company where people can find and discover anything they want to buy online.

Important Contact Information

Coffeyville
2654 N. Highway 169 Coffeyville, KS 67337 (620) 464-2665 (206) 922-5813 fax Camperforce-KS@amazon.com

Campbellsville
1050 S. Columbia Ave. Campbellsville, KY 42718 (270) 849-2604 (270) 849-2701 fax sdf-camper@amazon.com

Fernley
1600 E. Newlands Drive Fernley, NV 89408 775-575-8006 (206) 9225818 fax Rno-camper@amazon.com

CamperForce Benefits
CamperForce Support System!
One of the great benefits associated with the CamperForce program is the support system in place for our campers. A great example of this is how our returning CamperForce Associates share their experiences and tips with new campers to help them along the way. Also, we have Trainers, Ambassadors, CamperForce Scouts, Process Assistants and Area Managers stand ready and willing to assist you in every way to be successful and have a good experience.

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C A M P E R F O R C E

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JUNE REFERRAL CAMPAIGN WRAP-UP

There were several who won $10 gift cards for providing us new applicants to the CamperForce Program! Thank you so much!

The weekly Raffle Winners were: CAROL HAENIG, PAUL BERRES, JUDY STOLL, and DONNIE STOTTS.

The Overall Winner of a KINDLE FIRE was DAVID SEEHAVER!

Congratulations to all the winners throughout the Month of June in our referral campaign!

Our Mission:

To be Earth's most customer-centric company where people can find and discover anything they want to buy online.

You Havent Applied Yet?

Step One Contact the Site of your Choice Step TwoFill out the Application and Non disclosure Forms Step ThreeThe CamperForce team will call you for a phone interview
NextStart hunting for proof of completion of high school education! We will need that
before you start work. Make your campground reservation. We will guide you through the rest!

KEEP THOSE REFERRALS COMIN!!

We want you to know the value we place on this program for a reasonso you understand that we are learning more and more every season about work campers and strive hard to meet your needs as you work hard to help us meet our goals. The VERY BEST avenue for us to recruit more campers like YOU, is YOU. Your testimonial of the GOOD and even the BAD helps us find folks all over the country who might be a perfect fit for CamperForce program. YOU make sure folks know the environment, the physical demands, and the benefits of being part of CamperForce. THANK YOU and please keep sending folks our way!
A M A Z O N C A M P E R F O R C E N E W S L E T T E R

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News From Each Site

Campbellsville Corner
Well Campers, Summer has arrived in Kentucky! Amazon SDF1s float in the 4th of July Parade took 2nd place, its heating up and the campgrounds and Green River Lake are packed and busy! We recently visited with our Campground Owners and they are ramping up and excited for the arrival of our CamperForce folksso many have made wonderful friends over the past seasons and are looking forward to meeting the new folks! There is some new local fare to look forward to and we are gathering information and goodies from local businesses and Kentucky attractions to enhance your stay with us! We provide the Working Hard and Making HistoryCampers always seem to add to the Have Fun part! We are in the process of getting the start dates set and will be making assignments to the earlier dates soon. PLEASE be patient with us as we begin to make those assignments! The next steps in the process are completing the Background check and Drug Screen process. For returners, this will be a little different as it is automated, but you should find that it is very efficient. Either way, please be looking for instruction in the next few weeks concerning both processes. The Off-Peak folks who have been working in Coffeyville already have used these new processes - see below in the Coffeyville Chronicle for more information! We are looking forward to camper arrivals! As always, we are still hiring, so send us other campers like YOU whom you feel might be a good fit!

Coffeyville Chronicle
Hi All, While we all look forward to the fast approaching Peak season and the arrival of our past and new friends, here at Coffeyville we already have 54 Campers in the building. Some started as early as April 25th and we started the last group of Off Peak Campers on July 11th. Why is he telling me this, you may wonder? Though we did not bring in Campers early specifically for the purpose of testing our new systems we did end up with that result. These Campers and many more now have created online profiles which is critical as it is the number assigned to you when you do this that the system uses to auto generate the emails for the background check and drug test. This new process means you each have 3 fewer pages to fax, we have 3 fewer to lose and trees everywhere are applauding our efforts. These emails will require you to click a link and enter information online, then click another button to electronically sign, and the process initiates. The Campers who have already used this process have found it much easier and more efficient than the old way. Their experiences have exposed the flaws in the system and we have corrected those so your experience should be even better. Just a couple of notes, every individual needs their own unique email address, so if you are a couple who share an email you will need to get another one. Make sure when you get the SECOND email from Accurate that you read carefully and enter the ZIP Code from where you are AT at that time. Accurate will use this ZIP Code to find the testing site closest to you. Thats right we will find the testing site for you and send the code you will need when you go to get the test. The email will also give you the 3 day window within which you need to get the test done. These first steps to automating our processes have gone very well and we are looking forward to further improvements next year. One day soon you may not have to ever fax or email documents to us again. Enjoy the summer, be safe in your travels, and we will see you soon!

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Fernley News Flash

Hello campers, Can you believe that over half of the year is already over and that peak is right around the corner? We are excited for you to join our family in the next few months! In order to make this peak the best yet and improve your overall experience while in our town; we need your ideas and suggestions for fun events that we can plan at and outside of work (think karaoke, pot luck, movie night). The long awaited 2013 Amazon Approved Campgrounds list for the Fernley site was been published earlier this month. For those who have worked with us in the past you will notice a slight change to our list of approved campgrounds. To fulfill our promise of making this peak more of an experience rather than simply peak employment, we are excited to share that this year we have also partnered with the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR) in Reno, Nevada. GSR provides the most amenities of any campground in the area. If you choose GSR, you gain complimentary access to the state of the art health club and the pool area which includes beach sand. GSR also offers the Grand Adventure Land, Grand Sierra Cinema, Bowling Alley, Golf Driving Range, Indoor Golf, Miniature Golf, Fun Quest, Spa, Go Carts, Convention Space and Meeting Rooms, Shows, Group Fitness Classes, and more! For your convenience there are three fine dining restaurants and nine casual dining restaurants onsite. We hope you agree that this RV Park offers a lot in way of entertainment and excitement while you are here in Northern Nevada! We have received confirmation from the Fernley campgrounds that they are already fully reserved, but are accepting names for a waiting list. The campgrounds outside of Fernley have plenty of openings. As a reminder, each year we have many campers who carpool or ride the shared vans. While Amazon does not contract with a shuttle company, we are aware of several that offer the service for your convenience (you can find their info through an online search). For those who made a reservation at an approved campground already, even if you have emailed us your campground choice earlier in the year, we ask that you please email us with the name of the campground now that the official list has been sent out. For those who originally reserved with a campground that we are not partnering with, please call them to cancel and reserve with a campground with which we do partner. Please email us at Rno-camper@amazon.com with any ideas and suggestions for fun events and the name of the campground where you have made your reservation. We look forward to meeting our new campers and seeing all of our returners!

LIKE our CamperForce Page on FACEBOOK! Facebook.com/amazoncamperforce IF you are a current or former member of the CamperForce team, you can join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/amazoncamperforce#!/groups/368219479956621/

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Top tips from Veteran Campers

Joyce Cooley - The most important tip is a positive attitude. We do not need to expect everything to be given to us. We must work for it. June Keene - Smile, Smile, Smile! Walt Gunn - Keep an open mind, dont be afraid to ask questions and get involved in your area. Yes it is work, but it can be fun work too! George Nelson - Go with the flow and dont complain because this isnt our profession. Its just a seasonal job. Let things roll off of your back and be open to new opportunities. Al Phillips - Be flexible and open to change. Doug McConnaughay - Remember to smile and enjoy yourself. It is HARD WORK, but enjoy the experience! Brian Nelson - Take pride in your work and do your bestjust as in any other job. You make great friends, so youll look forward to going to work every day! SMILE and enjoy the job. You make the decision whether you want to enjoy the job or not! Rich Aaron - Just enjoy yourself and remember to have fun! Joice Hupp - Always be helpful, have a kind word for anyone, and keep a smile on your face. It does wonders! You never know what a person is going through in their personal life. Just be nice! Dan Derouchey - The tasks are simple. Just do what youre told and dont over think the process.

FITNESS-RELATED TIPS
Sharon House - Start walking now! Richard Maher - Prepare for long hours and get in shape by exercising before arriving at Amazon and know that time will fly by while youre there! Sandy Bitner - My experience has been to have 2 pair of really supportive, comfortable, well broken -in shoes complete with gel insoles. Start the shift in one pair and change at lunch or halfway through the shift. Your feet will thank you! Debbie Howe - Begin walking NOW, your body will thank you for it! Also, start drinking water. Carol Petty - Epson salt foot baths will do wonders for tired feet and will help with leg cramps. Peppermint flavor makes the rig smell nice! Jan Schwartz - Get some great shoes and start walking now. Donna Bonnett - Do not try working in brand new shoes! Be sure to break them in beforehand. Jill Ferrer - Make sure you have have enough room in your shoes toe box to avoid blisters. Marnie Aaron -Make sure you have at least 2 pairs of shoes that are broken in before you start. Jose Ferrer - Wear good quality, thin, moisture absorbent socks. Kellie Gunn - Find some comfortable shoes and clothes.this is not a suit and tie affair. Brian Nelson -I took the perspective that I was getting PAID TO EXERCISE as a picker. When you have long distances between picks, power walk. Youll burn more calories and be more productive at the same time.

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Health-Related Tips
Jill Ferrer -Eat breakfast before you start work (or lunch/ dinner if youre on nights) so you start your shift with sufficient energythen eat healthy at lunch and breaks. Bob Filiau - If you work evening shift commit to it. During Work Hardening & Process School training, stay up later and later each night until you reach your normal end of shift. This makes sure the transition to full 10 hour days is a little easier. Make sure you get a good 7-8 hours of sleep. Claudia Ward- I found that I needed to really prepare meals for the whole day and not depend on the microwaves for heating food (too time consuming) nor eat out of the vending machines. If I planned well rounded, nutritious meals and snacks for breaks (very important) I had more energy to get through the day. Sharon Scofield - Your hands may receive minor cuts, or chafe from box handling. Amazon provides gloves to protect your hands . Buy GOOD hand lotion and massage thoroughly. For minor cuts, I bought liquid bandages and reapplied before I went back to work. This helps the cut from reopening as band aids do not always stay on. Claudia Ward - If in the Shipping department, wear long sleeves. The cardboard can really irritate your arms. Also, use the gloves that are handed out. Jerry Bradbury ABHAlways Be Hydrating. This true everywhere, but in Fernley since it is in very low humidity desert country it is easy to become dehydrated.

Miscellaneous...
Bill Fix - Try a Hikers belt which uses a clip and pull strap. No metal to set off the Security Checkpoint. Check the camping supplies section at Wal-Mart. (Editor Note: Also available at Amazon.com!) Jerry Bradbury -Wear plastic suspenders Chuck Mattson - Amazon sells Thomas Bates Hiker belts with nylon webbing and nonmetallic hardware, package of two (khaki and black), adjustable for most waist sizes. I found the quality good and buckle does not slip. Claudia Ward - Carpool whenever possible and time your arrival at the end of the previous shift. Because there may not be any parking spots available. Dont arrive too late either! Laura Mulford - One of the things that brings me back is being able to say Oh Yeah? I did it again! Barbara McDaniel - Do Christmas shopping prior to arriving at Amazon. The time flies by so quickly! Suddenly its Christmas!

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Top Tips From Your CamperForce Team

1. Are your documents up to date?
Most of you will be familiar with the E-verify process for Immigration status. To verify your identity and eligibility to work in the U.S. we will need documents such as your Drivers License, Social Security Card, or current Passport. We cannot use them if theyre expired so check the dates!

2. Do you have updated body parts?

Metal in your body from surgical procedures has a tendency to set off the security system and delays you and others in getting through Security. HR can supply you with a Medical Exception Card to present to Security as long as you provide documentation (signed, letterhead, etc.) from your medical professional detailing the information.

3. Reduce the amount of metal youre bringing in the Fulfillment Center

The number one concern we hear from our Associates is the amount of time it takes to get through Security to the Break Room. Reduce the amount of metal (coins, belt buckles, jewelry, etc.) you carry!

4. Remember to have fun!

Those that are returning to Amazon will tell you that sometimes frustrations mount as we work hard to meet and exceed our customers expectations. Remember: Its a job, not a career! Your time with us is short, usually 10 -12 weeks. Focus on the task rather than what they should do is a great way to avoid stress.

Remember the reason youre here this season! Keep your focus on the reward! For some of you its the opportunity to work with friends, for others its to help with expenses, for others its the adventure of something new. Whatever the reason, keep smiling!

Okay, Ive been hired.. WHATs NEXT??

Now is the time to watch your email inbox!!
Watch for communications regarding the next steps in the process First the BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS and then the DRUG SCREEN PROCESS.
**Note that these communications are auto-generated through our hiring system and will possibly wind up in your SPAM or JUNK folders! Our vendor for both of these processes is a company called ACCURATE. Should you receive communication from this company, dont delete it!! It contains very timely and valuable information!