In 2006, after spending three summers working at the same campground, Carolyn Banks and husband Dan Davis moved on to a new experience at Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping in Mackinaw City, MI. Located on Lake Huron within sight of the “Mighty Mac” (the 5-mile-long Mackinac Bridge across the straits connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron), this family-run campground has grown from its original 17 sites to over 600 campsites and 50+ cabins on 200+ acres.

Working here is not workamping in its original sense, where you work a little and sightsee a lot. Everyone signs on for a 40-hour week. But the climate is heavenly, and the work, although demanding at times, is certainly doable. The workamping season runs from early May until Labor Day, or possibly even into October.

Carolyn joined six others plus office manager in the very busy reservations office. All the new workers received detailed training on office procedures and the ROS2000-based campground reservation system. We spent some time just entering reservations before we were allowed to answer phones and check in campers, a real multitasking experience. A good sense of humor—and patience—are necessary skills, and our crew certainly had them.

Dan started his job by helping to stain the wood components going into 16 new cabins being added to the campground and due to be occupied in June. Once the grass began growing, the rest of his summer was primarily spent mowing the campsites, undeveloped areas, and common areas of the campground. And all the men (and a few women) pulled occasional gate duty to direct campers into the campground from the highway and to check for valid tags as campers returned from their sightseeing outings.

Other workers had outside jobs including spraying weeds, planting and watering trees, picking up ashes and firepans (there are no firepits on the sites), and cleaning debris from sites. Workamping couples were assigned to clean restrooms and cabins and drive the campground’s hayride wagon and antique firetruck.

During our two days off together, we might take the 20-minute ferry ride to Mackinac Island (you have to be a real “fudgie” and give in to the temptation to try the many varieties of Mackinac fudge), visit colonial Fort Michilimackinac for military reenactments or Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park (formerly known as Mill Creek Historic Park) with its water-powered sawmill, or take a day trip to see the magnificent Tahquamenon Falls or the Whitefish Point Lighthouse on Lake Superior. And a rail trail for cyclists and walkers is just across the highway from the campground and runs directly into Mackinaw City.

The campground was packed into overflow areas during the June Car Show, a popular display of beautifully restored antique and classic autos. A highlight of our stay was the annual truck show in St. Ignace, which concluded with a “parade of lights” as scores of custom-painted and illuminated 18-wheelers drove through Mackinaw City streets with locomotive air horns blaring. And of course, thousands of Michiganders flocked to Mackinaw City to take part in the Labor Day Bridge Walk, the only time pedestrians are allowed to walk the bridge. The campground is essentially sold out for that weekend, also.

We’re headed for a different campground in a different state in 2007, but we hope to return to Mackinaw Mill Creek for another busy, interesting summer in the future. Chris, Vince, and Frank Rogala are continuing their parents’ tradition of providing a great camping experience in northern Michigan.

Carolyn Banks
Workkamper 2006