I could hear Nicole squealing underwater. Every time she saw something new, there it was again.
She was beaming.
Nicole and I met volunteering at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. She’s at the beginning of her career. I’ve already had a career, and now I’m trying to decide whether to carry it forward or reinvent myself completely for my third act.
Neither of us has the whole thing figured out. But we both showed up to volunteer, and that’s how we became friends.
She had never snorkeled on the reef she was volunteering to support. So after our shift, Captain Jeff and I took her out.
We went to the Christ of the Deep statue and Grecian Rocks, off Key Largo. It was around five in the evening, which can be a beautiful time to snorkel. The colors look a little different than they do earlier in the day. You notice different animals moving around.
That evening we saw a beautiful jellyfish, spotted eagle rays, and a ton of parrotfish feeding on the reef, and, of course, the statue.
I loved seeing all of it. But the best part was hearing Nicole every time she spotted something new.
You can also watch Nicole’s first reef snorkel on our Film page.
Working at a different pace
Volunteering felt strange to me at first.
I’ve spent years in technology, leading teams and building things. There’s been plenty of workplace chaos along the way. I’m used to having a lot riding on my work, so it took a little time to get comfortable with a different pace.
At the park, people are clear about what they need from me. I do the work, help a little more when I can, and enjoy the people I’m working alongside. The tasks matter, but they don’t come with all the competition and politics I’ve experienced in other workplaces.
My volunteer week usually means three or four days, with shifts of six or eight hours. I help as a docent in the visitor center, answering questions and helping keep things clean. I also help with events, joining the rangers on weekends or evenings to share information about the park or help host something like a beach cleanup.
Pennekamp became the country’s first undersea park in 1960, after years of work to protect the reefs off Key Largo. Answering visitors’ questions and helping with events are ways to keep people connected to the place those efforts protected. Taking Nicole out let us see that place together.
A way to stay awhile
There’s a practical benefit for Jeff and me, too. Our volunteer arrangement provides a campsite in exchange for 24 hours of service each week. Finding somewhere to camp for an extended stay in the Keys is difficult, so this gives us an opportunity to stay and explore.
It’s a real commitment of time, and it’s work. But it also gives us a chance to get to know people and spend more than a few passing days in a place.
For anyone considering something similar, Florida State Parks has both individual volunteer opportunities and resident positions. Its resident and campground host programs require at least 24 hours of service per week per campsite, with a maximum stay of 16 weeks at a park within a 12-month period. Positions depend on park needs and availability, so apply early, especially for coastal parks. You can browse opportunities through the Florida State Parks volunteer portal.
You don’t have to know what comes next
I still haven’t decided exactly what my next chapter looks like.
But I’m enjoying working alongside people, learning, doing the tasks that need doing, and having some room to take a breath. The next job, the promotion, and what someone is going to pay me don’t have to be the center of every conversation.
If you’re at the beginning of your career, like Nicole, or trying to work out your third act, like me, sometimes it helps to raise your hand and volunteer.
You might find an opportunity. You might learn something that helps you decide where to go next. You might simply meet a friend and feel good about the work you did.
We finished a volunteer shift and went out to see the reef together. Nicole was squealing underwater, the parrotfish were feeding, and we had a beautiful evening.
That’s a pretty good way to wander ’bout.
Raise your hand—or help in another way
Want to help care for the places you’ve come to see? You can donate to the Friends of John Pennekamp or become a member. The group supports conservation, education, and improvements at John Pennekamp and Dagny Johnson state parks.
If you’d rather give your time, explore volunteer opportunities with the Friends or browse and apply through the official Florida State Parks volunteer portal. The Friends lists both remote and in-person roles, so helping doesn’t always require a trip to the Keys.