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The Trip

Have you ever wanted to learn about the South, see Broadway at the Beach, see the Grand Strand and be of service at the same time? Then this is the trip for you!

The Project

Possible activities include repairing trails, repainting signs and road markers, edging roads, painting structures, installing dune fencing, and improving campgrounds. Myrtle Beach State Park has lost both budget and staff in recent years. That means the small staff left spends much of the winter months doing manual labor rather than being able to update their programs or work on grants or do more projects.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., come to Cabin 6, and get settled in. At 4 p.m. sharp we will begin with introductions to each other, the park, our work, and fun opportunities. Our first meal will be dinner and we will spend the evening getting to know one another. It is very important that we all be there for the 4 p.m. meeting as that is when we will learn about each other and the firmed-up schedule for the week for the first time.

Day 2: Our work days will generally be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Specific work for each day will be assigned as we get closer to the trip time. This evening, we will have a ranger-led activity -- perhaps the owl walk.

Day 3: Our work will continue from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. If we have run across any invasive species during the day (privet hedge and English Ivy) we may collect it and do some paper-making with it in the evening.

Day 4: This is our day off, an opportunity to explore the area or relax around the park. There are many opportunities to play both within the park and within 20 miles of the park. Water activities will be limited only by weather. Fishing is not at its peak in the winter, though birding is and there is a great pier to view from. Huntington Beach State Park is about 20 miles down the road and has a completely different landscape and feel, with miles of bike trails, marshland, birds, alligators, and an old 'castle.' Across the street is Brookgreen Gardens, a wonderful combination of nature, art, and animals. Seafood restaurants abound in the area, should you want to eat out. There’s also Broadway at the Beach to explore, if you are interested in its many tourist attractions.

Day 5: Our work will continue from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a ranger-led activity after work or in the evening, perhaps Turtle Stories. The beach is the site of loggerhead turtle nesting in the spring.

Day 6: This will be our last day at work, and we will finish up the various projects we have started. In the evening, we will have some of the park staff as guests for the evening, including dinner.

Day 7: After breakfast, packing, and cleaning the cabins, we will be ready to depart by 10 a.m.

Note: The leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the group. Also, remember that since this is a service trip, the leaders will have prepared the menu and we will share responsibilities for preparing and cleaning up after meals and making things work generally. We usually find that it's a great way to get to know fellow trip participants.

 

Getting There

The closest airport is Myrtle Beach International Airport, only six miles away. Cabs are an inexpensive way to get to the park. Charleston International Airport is just under 100 miles away and would require the rental of a car to get to the park as there is no public transportation. Florence Regional Airport (SC) and Wilmington International Airport (NC) are each about 75 miles away and also have no public transportation to Myrtle Beach. Each of these airports supports different airlines, so you may want to consider which airlines are also supported by airports near where you live.

If you decide to drive to the park, consider offering others along the way a ride. Sierrans often share rides or the cost of rental cars. Cars will not be required during the trip as we will be living and working in the same location.

Accommodations and Food

Housing is in fully furnished historic CCC-built cabins just yards from the beach with modernized kitchens and baths and gracious screened in porches. Meals will be planned ahead of time by the staff and shopping will be done by the time you arrive. Food preparation and cleanup will be shared by the participants; each small group will be responsible for meals and cleanup for one day. Meals will be vegetarian-friendly and will, as much as possible, represent the foods of the South, including seafood and grits!

Trip Difficulty

Trip difficulty will be easy to moderate and you will be able to choose the level you are comfortable working at.

Equipment and Clothing

All equipment will be provided. You should bring clothes that you are no longer attached to or that you already have painted or done outside work in. Closed-toed shoes are appropriate for work, even if the weather is warm. Please bring toiletries and rain gear.

References

• Myrtle Beach State Park: http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/myrtlebeach/introduction.aspx
• Huntington Beach State Park: http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/huntingtonbeach/introduction.aspx
• Brookgreen Gardens: http://www.brookgreen.org/
• South Carolina: A History, by Walter B. Edgar. This is a 30 CD set that tells a fascinating history of this state. Check your local library for a set to borrow. The book and audio book is also available through Amazon.

Conservation

We will be contributing to the purchase of some native trees for the park as well as soliciting donations of such trees. We will also plant the trees and work to improve the landscaping generally.

Trip Price

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Staff

Leader:

Lynn Malley is a longtime Sierra Club Member. She has read about service trips for 20 years and is delighted to have both the time and the opportunity to lead them during the last two years. A recent move to South Carolina has increased her interest in the interplay between land and water as well as to the losses that our state parks have suffered due to recent budget cuts. With a background in conflict management and two years spent living and teaching in the Balkans, she welcomes those who have served on our behalf. All Sierra Club trips offer a 10% discount to military families.

E-mail: lynn.malley@gmail.com

Assistant Leader:

Gretchen Straw is a veteran participant in Sierra Club service trips ranging from building fence at Antietam Battlefield to trail maintenance in Puerto Rico and Saint John's. She has been the assistant leader of several trips to help build the Pine Mountain Trail, a long-distance hiking trail that runs along the border of Kentucky and Virginia. Gretchen hikes and gardens in her spare time.

E-mail: gstraw1@verizon.net

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners