Where Sea Meets Service: A Week Volunteering on Fire Island
At the edge of Long Island, beyond the reach of roads and routine, Fire Island stretches out as a barrier between land and sea — protecting the shoreline, holding centuries of history, and offering a rare sense of stillness. For one week this summer, a small but mighty group of four volunteers traded their daily lives for a ferry ride across the Great South Bay and a chance to support this extraordinary national treasure.
Based in park housing near Watch Hill, the group took on practical conservation tasks throughout the week — clearing overgrown vegetation, maintaining trails and boardwalks with hand tools, and reaching various work sites on foot, by boat, or with 4×4 vehicles.
What made the week unforgettable wasn’t just the work — it was the space it created for connection. With the bustle of high season far off, the Watch Hill area gave the crew the gift of quiet: sunrise walks along the bay, late-night conversations under stars, and the soundtrack of ocean surf just steps away.
“The access to both the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean cleared our minds of all the challenges the world faces — even if only for a week,” one volunteer shared.
Each day offered something different — hikes through the Otis Pike High Dune Wilderness, glimpses of coastal wildlife, and opportunities to learn about the island’s history at sites like the William Floyd Estate and Fire Island Lighthouse. In their downtime, the crew shared meals, traded stories, and built strong connections along the way.
“We came in as strangers,” another participant reflected, “but by the end of the trip, we felt like old friends. We worked hard, but we played harder.”
Fire Island reminded the crew of what can happen when you step away, tune into a slower rhythm, and lend a hand to something bigger than yourself.
Want to make memories while making a difference? Volunteer Vacations offer unique access to public lands, meaningful conservation work, and the kind of experiences you’ll never forget.
