GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Randy Ferris now spends his days running Camp Chowenwaw as the Clay County Park Resource Manager.

“I started my parks career in Florida many, many years ago, and been bouncing around out west between that and now in Texas, California and New Mexico,” Ferris said. “Parks and theme parks for the last 42 years.”

The 150-acre, former Girl Scout campground sits on Black Creek and allows visitors a chance to get away from everything, to spend time alone or with family, and to enjoy nature.

Camp Chowenwaw offers everything someone looking for to enjoy the outdoors could possibly want. From people who want to enjoy a day in nature, there are many options to those who want to camp out.

“We have a fishing pier, and we’ve got trails that go all around the park,” said Ferris. “When people come out here, they’re looking to just get away from everything. We don’t have Wi-Fi, we don’t have TVs in the cabins or in the dining halls. People come out here and relax. They get their paddleboats and their kayaks out, and they take off from their kayak launch.”

The camp features different areas which have cabins, some of which have climate control, some of which do not. They also have tree house cabins, which are mounted about 25 feet off the ground and are very popular rentals. The cabin and tent areas all feature kitchen and shower buildings. The tent areas are raised flat rectangular portions of ground about 20-by-10 feet, where tents can be pitched. All of the cabin and tent areas also have firepits and grills for outdoor cooking.

There are many animal species in the park, many of which are protected.

Different species of reptile and birds also make their homes in the park. Tortises have been seen, along with skinks – a snake/lizard hybrid – and snakes. Bird species vary, which attracts many bird watchers. Owls, hawks and bald eagles also make their homes in the park.

There are also mammal species which in the park, however those are more transitory in nature, passing through rather than making permanent homes. Coyotes, wild pigs and bears have been seen in the park.

Ferris loves his job. He loves seeing and interacting with the people who come into the park, as well as taking care of it. He hopes that people will continue to come to the park, enjoy nature, and he will do everything he can to make sure that Camp Chowenwaw is a place where it happens.