Week 1
This week on Cumberland was an adventure. We saw a number of animals including Bonnethead Shark, stingrays, clams, fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, Blue crabs, starfish, Tarpon, white deer, White-tailed deer, horses, Coachwhip, a variety of insects and birds, brown anoles, green anoles, armadillos... a very large variety.
The work isn't that bad; it seems to be very good for me. A good bit of heavy lifting during hot weather is helping me lose weight and get stronger. Love the people I work with, both teenagers and adults. I love how we learn while we work. Its very interesting.
-Brett
This past week has been a great experience. The YCC program so far has taught me many life "lessons". I have learned that I must always be doing something; whether its clearing all vines from old slave house chimneys or cleaning the Captain's House.
The best part about the YCC is being outside.
Although the weather is extremely hot, watching Cumberland horses makes the time worthwhile. Today, June 7, 2010 eight horses walked up to us (YCC group). We watched a colt and his mother interact in the Carnegie pasture.
-Zach
The second day we cleaned trails around the beach and on the boardwalk. It was a bit hot while we were out there. It proved to be a bit tiring.
The third day we went and cleaned vegetation from historical structures; this was also challenging but at the same time rewarding because we were helping to sustain history.
Overall this job has its challenges, but is also rewarding.
- Steban
I enjoyed doing hard work with my other five partners in the beginning projects. We got a lot accomplished during our first week on the island. Finding different antiques and parts of the old buildings was very exciting.
During various projects, I figured out that the island is way bigger than I thought. My crew members including Ms. Paula, Mrs. Pauline, and Mr. Woods have helped me learn a lot of history and new working habits.
- Jordan
The ticks are band and the ant bites suck. Friday was fun. We weren't out in the heat too much. The people at the information center were very entertaining since we got stuck inside due to the rain. Working at the chimney was the worst because all of the ticks. Today was interesting though because we got to see a male horse with a lot of women horses.
- Carly
The ticks are awful, especially at the chimneys. Working at the beach and boardwalk was the highlight of the week. It is so hot outside. All of us wish it would rain during the afternoon. Friday was a good day, although it rainted the entire day. Moving furniture is better than clearing chimneys.
-Tori
Week 2
This week was very fun, besides the some fifty ticks I found on me. Friday we saw a huge boar – that was a sight. On Monday, I was stung by a scorpion; which is another animal to put on my “Animals Attacked By” list. The Playhouse looks a lot better now and so does the Main Road.
-Brett
This past week, the YCC program has been working hard in the heat. We started clearing the Main Road (2 feet on either side). We have cut about ¼ mile past Sea Camp, starting from the Dungeness Ruins. We also had the opportunity to take a brief history tour where we became knowledgeable about the Island’s inhabitant Eras.
-Zach
Cut, cut, cut; that is what we did the majority of the week. What I am referring to is trimming the vegetation alongside the road. This work was a little boring but I liked to look back and see all the work that we had accomplished.
Today we also went to the beach, which was nice because I’m sure there are not a lot of jobs where you can get paid for something like going to the beach.
-Steven
So far these past two weeks have been a blast working on Cumberland Island. We have been clearing trails to provide space for vehicles and tourists. I have found multiple ticks on me this Friday. I’m anxious to see upcoming events on the way!
-Jordan
On Thursday we learned more about Cumberland by taking the tour. Friday we walked along a trail from nine in the morning to twelve in the afternoon. After walking the trail we counted how many ticks we had on us; there were way too many ticks. After lunch on Friday we went to the beach which sort of made the ticks worthwhile.
-Carly
For most of the week, we’ve been clearing the Main Road on the Island. It’s hot, but the work is not too difficult. We took a tour of the Island and learned about the history of Cumberland. We also went on a hike and got covered in ticks; I had over 40 on me. We also cleared the boardwalk on the beach, which was also very hot.
-Tori
Week 3
Monday was all road cleaning which was absolutely dreadful! I had fun Tuesday though when I got to destroy an old fence and then build another with the other male coworkers. The girls got to go to the Education Center to help Mrs. Pauline instead. Wednesday was just a reiteration of First Aid. Yesterday was nothing but moving wood and today we washed cars. This was pretty easy.
-Brett
This week working at Cumberland Island was very interesting. Monday, we spent the entire day working on the Main Road. Tuesday, some of us worked on building a fence at the Sea Camp site while others painted the Education Center. Tuesday morning, I became very sick. I laid at home for a while with a fever, congestion, body aches, and a sore throat. During the time I was out I missed being on the Island. Friday, we fixed up our van. We replaced all of the seats into our newly painted vehicle, thanks to Brian Wentworth.
-Zach
This week we built a fence. I liked doing this because I know that it will be there for several years and I helped make it. We also took a First Aid course on Wednesday. This is my favorite thing I have done so far. It feels good knowing that if there is an even where someone needs help, such as CPR, that I can help them.
-Steven
This week was a very slide-by week. We got a lot of projects accomplished. Almost half of the road is cleared to Plum Orchard. We spent a full work day learning First Aid to prevent hazards while on the Island. Friday, we worked as a team to wash and vacuum the Ranger’s vehicles on the Island.
-Jordan
This week has been the hottest so far and it stormed every time we came back. Tuesday the boys worked on the fence while the girls went to work with Mrs. Pauline. With Mrs. Pauline, we painted and cleaned, and I hooked up a camera to a microscope. Thursday we worked Madame Rickart’s house and cleaned it up a lot. All in all, this week has been eventful, plus there weren’t so many ticks.
-Carly
Like every other week, it was hot, and it didn’t rain. We took a First Aid class which may be useful. Eventually, while the boys worked on the fence Tuesday, Carly and I stayed inside and painted. We also cleared Madame Rickhart’s house. There weren’t as many ticks this week, which was a relief. We also got our first pay check this week!
-Tori
Week 4
This week was alright. Monday was all garden work with Mr. Kelly. Tuesday and Wednesday we cleaned the road which is starting to look great. Thursday we worked at Madame Richarts and Ms. Paula found a perfect condition pot-top that was beautiful! Today is fun at the marsh – my place of preference – and we seined for fish and tested water. This week, I found near eighty shark teeth.
-Brett
This past week has been very diverse. Monday we worked at the waterfront. Tuesday and Wednesday we worked on the Main Road. Thursday we worked on Madame Richart’s place. The area in which we worked looks much better. Friday was our educational day; by far the best day yet. We learned about the marsh and mash life. I ate a fiddler crab and searched for shark teeth at Raccoon Cove. This week was great!
-Zach
This week we went to Madam Richart’s and kept clearing out the playhouse. In the end it should clear enough so that people can tell the outlines of the original structure. You can tell a big difference from when we started to where we are now.
-Steven
This week was the most adventurous week we have had during this conservation corps. We got the majority of the road completed. Wednesday, we traveled up north of the Island to take a tour of the First Baptist Church, but we couldn’t make it in time. I am hoping that I can get a chance to see it before the job is over.
-Jordan
On Monday we worked with Kelly on the Mainland cleaning the woods and moving a few plants. Tuesday and Wednesday we cleaned the roads and Tori was sick and it even on Tuesday morning. Thursday Tori came back and we worked on Madame Richart’s with Ms. Paula. Friday we went to the marsh with Mrs. Pauline and she put a natural mud mask on her face that smelled like rotten eggs. In the morning, we checked the pH level of the ocean and looked at other organisms from the ocean under the microscope.
-Carly
On Monday, we stayed in St. Marys and cleaned the flowerbeds with Kelly. I was out the next two days with the flu, but I heard my co-workers cleared the road. We went back to Madame Richart’s house again, and we found a complete lid that once belonged to a pot of some sort. Paula was ecstatic over that. On Friday, we learned about the marshes. Overall, it was a good week.
-Tori
Week 5
This week was full of hard work. Monday we spread 30 yards of mulch that took all day and we still need more mulch though. Tuesday and Thursday we just clipped the road and we got to Stafford which was our challenge for the week. Wednesday we were gonna do the road but it was a downpour so we just did busy work. Today we cleared Madame Richart's again and we happened to find a four foot long Yellow Rat snake.
-Brett
This week was filled with hard work. Monday we mulched the Cumberland Island’s NPS property flowerbeds (at the waterfront). Tuesday we worked on the Island’s main road. Wednesday, we worked indoors due to bad weather. We finally got a break. Thursday we worked on the Main Road again. We finally reached Stafford. Lastly, Friday we worked at the Maddam Richart work site. We cleared out around the basement and inside the basement. Tourists will really enjoy this site once completed.
-Zach
This week we put mulch at the Visitor’s Center; I liked knowing that we were improving what is most people’s first impression of Cumberland Island National Seashore. Wednesday was my favorite day this week because we got rained out most of the day. So we mostly did busy work in the Captain’s House and the Ice House Museum.
-Steven
Monday we put down mulch at the waterfront. Tuesday and Wednesday we worked on the road but had it rain the majority of the day. We finally got to see Plum Orchard which was pretty weird but cool at the same time.
-Jordan
Monday we mulched around the plants by Cumberland Visitor Center, and Kelly bought us lunch. Tuesday we clipped the road. Wednesday I was out due to a dentist appointment but I heard the rest of them had fun. Thursday we clipped the road again and reached Stafford. Friday we worked with Ms. Paula at Madame Rickart’s.
-Carly
Fortunately, this week was not as hot as the others. On Monday, we helped Kelly mulch the flowerbeds in St. Marys. We worked the roads on both Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday was the best day because it rained the entire time on the Island. We were able to take a tour of Plum Orchard. Finally, on Friday, we worked at Madame Richart’s house. We saw a snake there as well.
-Tori
Week 6
Last week was interesting. Thursday at Madame Rickarts we found a dead King Snake; a brick had fallen on its head. Friday was very irritating…six hours to move four posts and we were only able to move one post. Tuesday and Wednesday all we did was road work.
-Brett
This week was a little bit “easier” than before. Monday we were off. It was a nice vacation day. Tuesday we drove up to the first African Baptist Church after cutting the road. Wednesday, we took another trip up to the church where we cleaned out the area surrounding the structure. On Thursday, we cleaned up Madame Rickart’s structure. After lunch, Brett and I helped Kelly Kennard by mowing and trimming around and on the Dungeness structure. Friday, we tried pulling all four beach markers out and moving them up a few yards. After digging 2 six feet deep holes, we gave up and are going to complete the task this coming week.
-Zach
This week was a little shorter because we got Monday off for the Fourth of July. Tuesday we mostly did the road all day. On Wednesday, we finally got to go to the church; it wasn’t grand but it had a certain charm to it. Thursday we worked on Madame Rickart’s house like we do every Thursday. Then Friday we got to go to the beach to move some posts.
-Steven
The temperature was very high this week. We made two visits to the church. Thursday we cleaned Madame Rickart’s and are almost finished. Friday was a beach day. We put up signs for directions to the beach.
-Jordan
We were off Monday, which was nice since it was a paid holiday. On Tuesday, we worked on the roads in the morning. That afternoon we went and visited the old First African Baptist Church. Wednesday, we worked on the roads again. Thursday, we worked with Paula at Madame Rickart’s place. Finally, the last day of the week, we worked on the beach.
-Tori
Week 7
Monday was just trimming the roads. Me and Zach together found one hundred and seven shark’s teeth. Tuesday we were back on the road but we didn’t find many shark’s teeth. Wednesday, we went back to the beach to finish moving the poles. I stepped on a three foot long couch whip on accident and got surrounded by horses. Thursday, we worked with Paula half the day, then me and Zach went up to Plum Orchard with Kelly and got COVERED with seed ticks. Friday, we went to Okefenokee, it is no where near as good as the Island.
-Brett
Overall, this past week was great. Monday and Tuesday we worked on the roads. Wednesday, we pulled the beach markers out and moved them to a more visible area. Thursday, we worked on Madam Rickart’s place. After lunch, Brett and I worked with Kelly at Plum Orchard. We both jumped into the river after finding over 100 ticks on our bodies. Friday, we went to Okefenokee. We went on a very interesting boat ride and saw about 30 gators.
-Zach
We did a lot this week. Monday and Tuesday we did more of the road. Wednesday we went to the beach and finished moving the poles so that they are more visible for visitors. Then Thursday, we worked with Ms. Paula on Madam Rickart’s; we finished about one third of it. Then Friday, we got to go on a “field trip” to Okefenokee.
-Steven
I believe this week was the hardest we have worked. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday we completed a large amount of the road. Wednesday we moved the lifeguard poles at the beach. We played on the beach the rest of the day. On Friday, we took a trip to Okefenokee Swamp and took tours.
-Jordan
Monday I was at home sick. Tuesday we worked on the road. The ticks are getting closer the closer we get to Plum Orchard. Wednesday, we were on the beach and we removed the life guard pole to make them more easily seen. Thursday we worked with Paula at Madame Rickhart’s. Friday we went to Okefenokee and met two of their YCC members. It was really boring.
-Carly
We cleared the roads on Monday as well as Tuesday. There were numerous ticks and tons of vines. On Wednesday, we went to the beach and moved poles. We also locked ourselves out of the truck and had to be rescued. I missed Thursday. On Friday, we went to Okefenokee. We took a boat tour and walked the boardwalk.
-Tori
