Cfred, I charge the deposit and a holding fee of $200 every month to hold a space, but only for a month or two. I write Non Refundable on the receipt for all of this money so the deposit is not applied to the last weeks of care. That is my idea of a penalty for having to go without full income when I hold a space. I've only done it a couple of times and I hate it! I know some people charge full fees to hold a space.

You are tougher than me to go backpacking in a place with bugs and snakes! I stick to European vacations and my idea of roughing it is to stay in high class hotels instead of my own bed.