Sea and Service at Myrtle Beach State Park, South Carolina

The Trip

Myrtle Beach State Park and all of the South Carolina State Parks have been heavily impacted by funding cutbacks as well as devastating weather events since 2015. MBSP is a treasure of green along a tourist strip in South Carolina, much of which has lost the natural feel. We have provided a number of service trips to the park, so you will be able to see what repeated service in one area can lead to.  

The Project

We anticipate spending days working at Myrtle Beach State Park. Previously, we replaced the side railings along the end of the pier. Other possibilities include repairing trails, repainting signs and road markers, edging dunes and roads, painting structures, installing dune fencing, and improving campgrounds.

Day 1: Room keys will be available in Cabin 6 between 3 and 4 p.m. so that you can get settled in to your room before we start. If you wish to spend time on the beach or the nature center or walking the trails before the trip starts, arrive at Myrtle Beach State Park anytime between noon and 3 p.m. 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 and enjoying a campfire and stories about the history of the park. It is important to be there for the introductions starting at 4 p.m.

Day 2: Our work days will generally be from 8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a break for bag lunches. 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 8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Right after work, we will do a short scavenger hunt to learn about the park and then have free time while it is light to explore the beach. We will try local seafood one evening on the trip -- perhaps tonight or tomorrow night. The cost of this meal out is included in the trip cost.

Day 4: We will have a change from our work at MBSP and hope to do a small service project at Huntington Beach State Park, see the castle there, and spend the rest of the day at Brookgreen Gardens. The castle at HBSP was the home of Archer Huntington, an expert in Hispanic culture and study of the people of the Mediterranean region, and Anna Hyatt Huntington, a sculptor. Brookgreen Gardens was their gift to the people of South Carolina and contains a museum, a zoo, many sculptures, and more. The cost of a seven-day ticket is included in your trip fee, so if you fall in love with this place, you will be able to visit again after the service trip.

Day 5: Our work will continue from 8:00 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, so depending on the weather, the turtle activity will take place on the beach before dinner or in the activity center after dinner.

Day 6: This will be our last day of 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 around the campfire.

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

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 all 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. Since Sierra Club has changed its policy encouraging a day off on a service trip, we have made every effort to include fun activities as part of the trip itself.

Getting There

The closest airport is Myrtle Beach International Airport, only six miles away. Cabs charge about $25 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, but they would come in handy for the anticipated trip to Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park.

Accommodations and Food

Housing is in fully furnished historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)-built cabins just yards from the beach with modernized kitchens and baths and gracious screened in porches. Most bedrooms accommodate two and will be shared. 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 day, a small group will be responsible for meals and cleanup. Meals will be vegetarian-friendly.

Trip Difficulty

Trip difficulty will be easy to moderate and you will be able to choose the level at which you are comfortable. The trip is especially appropriate for beginners at any level. Join us if you want to see if service trips are right for you.

Equipment and Clothing

All work equipment, bedding, towels, and kitchenware will be provided. Only toiletries and clothing required. 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 rain gear. A detailed gear list will be sent to you after you are approved for the trip. If you are attached to a particular pair of work gloves or tool, please do bring them.

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/
• Walter B. Edgar, South Carolina: A History. This is a 30-CD set (yes, 30) 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. This is a truly amazing and thorough reference told in story fashion. It was the trip leader's introduction to South Carolina.

Conservation

Please bring stories of the challenges and conservation movements from your home area. We will share our stories one evening as a program. It is hard to know what conservation opportunities will present themselves on the trip so far ahead of time. English Ivy is an invasive species in the area, to the extent that chemicals are being used to destroy it. If you are allergic to poison ivy, you may also be allergic to English ivy. Come prepared for that possibility.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.