Smooth Sailn
Midwest
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We are just finishing our winter in the Swamp in Waycross GA. What a wonderful experience we have had this winter. The Swamp Park is a day use private park that closes at 5:30 for all practical purposes. After the park closes for the day there is only a security guard and the work campers left in the park. It is very very quiet.
The people are great to work with. The General Manager likes to interview the work campers to evaluate what they like to do and then assigns jobs that they like to do. We were a little concerned when he told us that. It made us wonder what kind of jobs he would assign. But it has been great. He gave us plenty of time to get settled, get to know the park and some of the people before we had our interview. The interview was very informal, a conversation between friends would be a better description.
This has been a great place to work camp and spend the winter. We plan to come back for another winter soon. Remembering that this is a SWAMP, with all the critters that go along with living in a swamp in south GA, I highly recommend a tour here. There are opportunities for the summer if you like the heat and can put up with the biting insects. If you like mother nature I think you will like this park.
Ray
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wannavolunteerFT
South Georgia
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Ray, thanks for the idea. I have been to the park, and really enjoyed the visit and the tour we made. I carried friends of my daughters who were from England and Sweden, made it lots of fun seeing the swamp through their eyes. One question, were you the only work campers or were there several? I would enjoy working there once I retire, but I travel alone, and am not sure about being there with no one else around.
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Smooth Sailn
Midwest
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When we got here there were 3 others, a couple and a single man. the couple left but the single man is still here. He is a great guy.
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mgirardo
Brunswick, GA
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Have been to the Okefenokee many times (it's only 45 minutes away), but didn't realise they offered workamping opportunities. We use the east entrance outside Folkston, GA. Haven't been to the Waycross entrance before.
If you don't mind me asking, what type of job responsibilities did you have and how many hours a week were required?
Thanks,
-Michael
Michael Girardo :: michael@ecxc.com
2009 Jayco Greyhawk 31FS Class C Motorhome
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Four Green Feet
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Smooth Sailn
Midwest
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My primary duty is train operator and tour guide, 4 trains per day, 3.5 days a week. Thur. Fri. Sat and 2 trains Sunday after church. First train is 11:00 AM and last train is 4:30 PM. DW is greeter and tour guide on Pioneer Island. Pioneer Island is a 20 minute stop on the train tour. To keep busy we do odd jobs that we see that need doing, cleaning of exhibits and museums, some minor building and grounds maintenance. I wash and wax the train, and polish the brass on the train. No bathroom cleaning.
That is what we do but there are many opportunities to do other things that might be of more interest you.
Advertisement listed 24 hours per week per person. We don't have a time card and we don't keep track of our hours. Some weeks we work more and some weeks fewer than 24 hours. I know 24 hours sounds like a lot but it is fun and the time flies by.
Atmosphere is very casual here. Management doesn't take advantage of the work campers and they expect that the work campers won't take advantage of them.
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firedoc
Sacramento, Ca
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Sounds like a great position. Did you have axperience at the train operation before you took this spot?
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Smooth Sailn
Midwest
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firedoc, no all OJT. Management gave me some notes to get started but I did a lot of research to put together my 25 minute narrative for the ride/tour. It has been a great experience. We plan to come back for another winter in the near future. As of yesterday I get to add Swamp Boat Guide to the resume, yesterday I, with an experienced boat guide riding along, took 10 people on a boat tour in the swamp. It was great.
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mgirardo
Brunswick, GA
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Smooth Sailin, thanks for the thorough response. That's great to know it's more than just park maintenance.
Thanks,
-Michael
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rjwnyoa
NY
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We have been offered a position for this coming winter.. Martin is the one that I have been in contact with. He seems like a great guy to work with.. Thanks for all the info Ray..After reading your post on how much you enjoyed being there,I am getting more excited about going.. Happen to have any pics of the camping area?
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bonehead11
Home
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Wow
This sounds like a lot of fun...I would love to do that for a winter. Many years ago a friend and I kayaked across the swamp to where the swamp begins the Suwanee River. We then went all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. It was an awesome trip ! The Suwanee River back then was all as it had been from the civil war days.
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