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Worker Profile:
Musicians at Work
as Resort Activities Directors
Bill and Mary Condry are the activity
directors at Indian Nation RV Park in Thackerville, OK. They provide
planned activities, daily and evenings. The Condrys are musicians with
their own band, Cut and Shoot Country.
They first came to Indian Nations as
guests, where they performed outside their rig in the evenings. After
hearing them play several times, and seeing the positive responses
from other RVers, they were asked by the owners to stay on as activity
directors.
They love playing music and making
people laugh, and that is the core of what they do in their daily
work. They make friends. They entertain. "Most RVers love to have
fun," commented Bill. "We try our best to keep them busy and
enjoying themselves."
Bill and Mary's musical expertise
surfaces in many of the activities they lead. They have their own
sound system and instruments. This means they can perform under a
variety of conditions and situations, adapting easily to the needs of
the park. They can perform as a duo or collaborate with other
musicians at a moment's notice.
Tuesday evenings, they host a
camper's talent night, with Bill as emcee. They provide background
music for RVers wanting to sing, dance, play instruments, or otherwise
participate. If the crowd lacks volunteers, Bill and Mary carry on
filling in the evening with songs, jokes, and stories.
Wednesday evening is the official jam
session. However, posters can be found around the resort directing
anyone who would like to jam to see Bill at his site, regardless of
the day.
They provide music for Sunday morning
worship service and the Thursday evening gospel sing-a-long.
Friday and Saturday evenings, the
Condrys host live guest entertainment or provide a show themselves.
They lead the park band, appropriately named, The Indian Nation
Drifters, which is comprised of musicians drifting through the park.
They support guest performers. Their background helps them in
coordinating other musical acts and in assisting the other performers.
Although much of what they do is
centered on music, they lead other activities as well. They host
weekly activities such as bingo and games and a potluck supper.
Weekdays, Mary teaches line dancing and leads the water exercise and
craft classes. They coordinate the twice-monthly flea markets. They
see that birthday and anniversary celebrations are held monthly.
The Condrys have had their position
at Indian Nation for two years. They work March through November at
the resort. The remaining months they are free to travel, take their
band on the road, visit family, or whatever they choose.
They do the work they do because they
enjoy the interaction with the other campers. However, they are part
of the park staff and are monetarily compensated for their time and
efforts.
Bill and Mary make everyone who comes
to the park feel at home and appreciated. This
includes other
entertainers who come to the park as well as other RVers. Bill and Mary take an active roll
in greeting new arrivals and welcoming them into the park.
When asked what advice they would
give other RVers who might be interested in being activity directors,
they stressed the necessity of having a positive attitude and a good
outlook on life. As the Condrys put it, "When you laugh - others
laugh with you. Having fun is contagious!"
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