National Public Lands Day

We really are glad to be back volunteering at the J. Strom Thurmond  Corps of Engineers project in South Carolina. 

                   

We did six months over last winter and had a blast helping the park rangers who oversee all the campgrounds, day use areas and boat ramps that surround Thurmond Lake.

                  

A mural of the dam and Thurmond Lake in the conference room

We had many great times doing all kinds of tasks that freed the rangers up for more important duties.  (We did a lot of boundary line pin hunting and enjoy that job the most).

Saturday, September 27th, is National Public Lands Day, where folks from all over the country come and spend a day helping out with work projects at parks near them.  Here at Thurmond COE, the COE volunteers have been getting everything ready for work projects at the West Dam campground.

Much credit has to be given to Ranger Dave, who is overseeing the whole program. 

                

A talented leader and a great guy to work for, he keeps track of a myriad of details and at the same time makes it fun for the COE volunteers.

All kinds of supplies, paint, rollers, brushes, cleaning gear and tools have been purchased, organized and loaded onto trucks to take it to the work site.

              

Pre cut wood to build bluebird houses is packed and ready for some girls scouts to assemble and hang.

                

Tools for brush clearing have also been procured.

                

Signs have been posted announcing the free day on the fee collection boxes at all the COE areas.

                 

An important job Marti will be working with her crew of helpers is weeding and spreading mulch around the campground gate houses.

                 

                 

Just another kind of job that needs to be accomplished to keep the Thurmond COE looking beautiful and maintaining the high standards expected from one of the nation’s most valuable resources.

The local community volunteers will have fun giving some time to help, but they won’t go unrewarded for their labors.  Each person will receive lunch, a neat t-shirt and a coupon for a free entry into any national park.  Boxes of shirts are ready to be handed out.

                 

Another great activity at the Thurmond COE and we are glad to be here and participate in it.

It’s not all work all the time, though.  Along with the satisfaction of volunteering and giving something back, we get to enjoy some  beautiful sunsets from our campground where we’re staying during our next three months of volunteering.  :c)

                  

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.