What keeps remote workers on your project when other opportunities come calling? For many employers, the answer goes beyond compensation. When workers spend weeks or months away from home, hospitality matters.
With 87% of FIFO workers reporting stress from separation from loved ones and 77% citing camp-life stress, expectations for workforce accommodations have evolved. Today’s remote housing camps are expected to support operational requirements and the wellbeing of the people who live there.
Project owners are placing greater emphasis on the quality of the workforce accommodation experience and as a result, the choice of remote camp service provider has become an increasingly important consideration.
What are remote camp services?
Remote camp services are fully planned, installed, operational, and managed housing solutions designed for remote or project-based workforces. Rather than coordinating multiple vendors for housing, catering, housekeeping, maintenance, utilities, and camp operations, organizations partner with a single IFM provider responsible for delivering the entire solution.
What to look for in a remote camp service provider?
1. Quality of accommodations
Sleep and recovery directly influence workforce performance and safety. In fact, the University of Alberta’s FIFO worker study identified sleep disruption as one of the most common concerns among workers living in camps.
When evaluating remote camp service providers, ask whether they offer:
- Private accommodations
- Climate-controlled rooms
- Professional housekeeping
- Reliable internet connectivity
- Quiet environments that support recovery
2. Food services
In remote environments, meal services play a larger role than simply meeting nutritional requirements. Food helps create routine, comfort, and a sense of community. So, when comparing remote camp providers, ask – are meals prepared fresh on-site? Can dietary requirements be accommodated? Is hospitality considered part of the camp experience?
Dexterra’s experience delivering workforce hospitality across Canada has consistently shown that dining experiences are among the most valued aspects of camp life. Our Red Seal-certified chefs prepare fresh, nutritious meals using quality local ingredients whenever possible. From made-to-order breakfasts to hearty evening entrées, quality dining helps workers recharge and makes camp life more enjoyable.
3. Essential site utilities and infrastructure
Remote projects often operate far from established infrastructure, which means camp operations depend on much more than housing alone. An experienced remote camp provider can manage the essential systems that keep daily life and work moving, from power generation, water treatment, wastewater management, waste collection, HVAC, communications, and connectivity to ongoing facility maintenance.
4. Recreation and support amenities
Recreation and support amenities help turn a remote camp into a healthier, more balanced living environment. Fitness areas, lounges, outdoor spaces, reliable connectivity, wellness resources, and social activities give workers ways to decompress, stay connected, and build community after long shifts.
5. Rapid deployment
Project requirements rarely stay the same. As workforce numbers fluctuate, accommodation needs may expand, contract, or shift locations over the life of a project. Modular and exploration camps offer a flexible solution that can be scaled and mobilized quickly to support changing operational requirements, helping minimize disruption as project needs evolve.
6. Single-point accountability
Managing multiple vendors can add complexity and create operational gaps. Therefore, it is best to choose a remote camp service provider that can manage every aspect, from accommodations and hospitality to maintenance and daily operations. This simplifies communication, strengthens accountability, and reduces administrative burden.
7. Indigenous and community partnerships
Many remote projects are expected to deliver benefits that extend beyond the project itself. Indigenous employment, local procurement, and partnerships with Indigenous-owned businesses are often key commitments tied to project development and long-term community support.
As these expectations continue to grow, selecting a partner with a demonstrated track record matters. Certifications such as CCAB PAIR can provide an indication of a company’s commitment to advancing Indigenous relationships and supporting long-term economic participation in the communities where projects operate.
Ready to partner up?
As competition for talent grows and remote projects become more complex, workforce accommodations are playing a bigger role in project success. Dexterra’s remote solutions can help you keep pace with these demands. Reach out today!
Frequently asked questions
Industries including mining, energy, utilities, infrastructure, construction, transportation, forestry, and resource development commonly use remote camp services to support workforces in remote locations.
Yes. Modern modular accommodations can be expanded, reduced, relocated, rented, leased, or customized based on workforce size, project duration, and operational requirements.
Traditional camps often focus on providing accommodations. Modern camp solutions take a hospitality-driven approach, combining housing, food services, wellness amenities, recreation, connectivity, and facility management to create more positive employee experiences.
Choose a provider with proven experience delivering and operating remote camps. They should be able to manage housing, food services, housekeeping, maintenance, recreation, connectivity, and day-to-day operations through a coordinated service model.
When comparing providers, ask about their experience in similar remote environments, the services included, mobilization timelines, and their ability to adapt as workforce needs change.
The scope can vary by project, but a complete remote camp solution may include accommodation planning and installation, catering, housekeeping, utilities, water and wastewater management, waste collection, facility maintenance, connectivity, recreation, and ongoing camp operations.
