New Camp Host Position–Sheridan Lake National Forest

(Hill City, South Dakota) 78 degrees, cloudy

Camp Host John @ the marina helping to park boats

We were very fortunate and were recently offered a camp host position at Sheridan Lake.  It is a large National Forest campground (129 sites) that is wrapped around a beautiful lake. It is located about 15 minutes from Mount Rushmore.  Originally we were offered a volunteer position but after only a few days a full time camp host position became available. 

Sheridan Lak

 

We are responsible for the Woodsey Loop (29 sites) that are along the lake. It is a primitive campground that has lots of trees and wild flowers. 

Wildflower meadows

 

No hookups except water

 

Each site is very large, usually level, with a picnic table and a fire ring.  Due to our sites being on the lake it is very busy and sold out most of the time.  

Lakeview Site

 

Some have a fishing spot right at your site

 

Our site has full hook ups and nice view of the lake.  Our responsibilities include cleaning the sites after the camper checks out.  This is mostly picking up garbage and cleaning the fire ring.  You would be amazed at what some campers leave behind.  Obviously they were not in boy scouts (leave your site better than you found it). 

We also make sure campers are following the rules such as having their dog on a leash, not parking on the grass, quiet after 10 pm etc.  After the main booth closes in the evening we also check in any late campers and collect fees. 

There is also a day use area that has a beach and marina.  We work that booth at times collecting fees to use the area.  One of us works that area and the other monitors the campground as needed.  It is very busy and it certainly does require a sense of humor and a lot of patience. 

We have worked here for two weeks and really like it.  In compensation we receive our site for free and $175/per person/per week. There are three other couples and two singes hosts.  One couple takes care of the pit toilets (38) and mows grass.  The others either work the main booth or are camp hosts like us.  Another great perk is a VIP pass that gives us free or a greatly reduced price for most area attractions. 

Our employers are a concessionaire who manages 38 campgrounds in the area.  Most of them are National Forest parks.

We will tell you more about our experience in future posts.  

Welcome to Colorado - Where You Can Experience All Four Seasons In One Day

(Cripple Creeks, Colorado)  37 degrees, snow flurries, occasional blue skies, thunder

The weather remains very unpredictable.  One minute there is blue sky and the next there is thunder and snow flurries.  Earlier in the week at a department store I mentioned to the clerk how much the weather could vary in one day.  She said, "welcome to Colorado...it is possible to experience all four seasons in one day."  She went on to say that you could tell someone was from Colorado by looking in the back of their car.  You would find a variety of clothes to accommodate the sharp temperature changes in a day. 

We have now worked four days at the campground.  Our hours are from 12 noon to 8pm with an hour for dinner.  We have Monday and Tuesday off each week.  Right now we are the only workamping couple and there is another couple arriving in June.  Folks in Colorado are a tough bunch and they love the outdoors but all the snow and high winds has discouraged them and  reservations are much lower than normal. 

We have enjoyed working with Jimmy and Pam.  They are hardworking and very talented.  Jimmy is an electrician by trade and Pam was a manager for several Wal-Marts in the past.  They are a lot of fun and have been very welcoming to us. 

Pam and Jimmy

Our first day we were taught how to clean the cabins, lodges, and bathrooms. They receive lots of compliments on the cleanliness of their campground and it shows.  They have great equipment and supplies which are loaded into a golf cart.  The cabins are easy to clean since they are just for sleeping.  On average each one can be completed in about 15 minutes. There are 10 of them. 

There are two bathrooms (men & women) and four shower stalls.  They use a great floor scrubber that works really well.  On average if the campground is busy this might take about 2 hours if you worked alone. 

Shower stall

Wet/Vac cleaner

There are also two lodges that have a bathroom, bedroom, living/dining room and small kitchen.  They are very nice and have great views of the mountains.  Pam says on average these takes a least an hour each to clean depending how long the customer stays. 

Our first day we helped clean five cabins, both bathrooms, and two lodges.  The lodges have not been used yet and needed a through cleaning  By the end of the day we were very tired puppies.  Remember we are working at 10,000 feet  We are both looking forward to getting back in shape and working here is sure to improve our health considerably.  My work as an auditor was very sedentary and working outdoors feels great.  Pam ran circles around both of us.  She is amazing! 

Today Pam and I worked on some landscaping outside.  We both love to garden and we decided to tackle a  long flower bed.  Pam has experimented with many kinds of flowers with limited success.  The cold weather is very limiting.  She wanted to try replanting some natural bushes and flowers that were out in the pasture and forest.  We used a four wheel Mule that runs on diesel.  She is fearless and we drove out gathering up all kinds of plants and some hollowed out logs. 

We were very pleased with the results and the soil was easy to work.  Unfortunately, I did not get a "before" picture, however, here is our finished product.  We even put a bird bath in one of the hollowed out logs.  Pam plans on adding some pansies and snap dragons for color. 

Pam and Jimmy  also spent some time with me going over office procedures.  Our previous workamping job was with a KOA in Indianapolis.  I'm pretty familiar with the reservation system and just needed to go review a few things.  John was busy outside doing a variety of projects.  Jimmy had put together a list of items he hoped to accomplish this season.  John worked on the solar light stakes along the walk way , trimmed some doors, painted  site number signs, and lots of other projects.  John loves lists and especially likes crossing them off once completed.  Give the guy a list and he is a happy camper!

We have learned a lot this week and have enjoyed just about everything but the weather. There is a lot of care and hard work that is put into maintaining a campground. 

Hunter Update:  In my last post I mentioned that my girl friends grandson required heart surgery at only 3 days old.  His first surgery went very well and the surgeons were very pleased with the results. He is doing well today and the next 6 weeks will be the most critical.  Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers.  We have shared your comments with Debbie and Hunter's parents and they are so appreciative.