Water Country USA seems empty when I visit the park. No life vests, tubes, water and especially no guests. Still, we are hard at work getting ready for a fantastic 2012 season.

For the second year in a row Water Country USA will participate in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson. The goal of this event is to educate everyone on the importance of learning how to swim. 

You don't often hear the words cute and alligator in the same sentence, but our newest Water Country USA residents are definitely an exception. I want to introduce you to our new American alligators - Elvis, Horatio, Crocket and Tubbs. These little guys or girls (they are too young to tell) are only two months old and already have me wrapped around their little webbed toes, especially Tubbs. Currently they are about ten inches long, but as adults can reach up to 15 feet … at which point I will not be holding them.

The first week of 2011 started out extremely busy at Water Country USA, at least for me. I took my Lifeguard instructor class with six other future instructors. We train and certify all team members who are responsible for water safety using American Red Cross lifeguarding and shallow-water lifeguarding classes.

When people hear that I work at Water Country USA they usually ask, “What do you do now that the park is closed?” We do a lot, actually.

This time of year, team members from Water Country USA have the fun job of helping with Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens. We get the chance to operate one of the haunted houses, Bitten.

I love this area because you get two haunted houses and a haunted field but only wait in one line. We also have team members scattered throughout the rest of the park operating rides, shows and helping keep the park clean.

When most people think about eating at a theme park they think about hamburgers and pizza. What most people don't realize is that we offer healthier dining options at Water Country USA, as well.

Guest can find healthier dining options around the park including sub sandwiches and homemade chips, to fresh watermelon, strawberries and melon. Even lighter options such as salads are also scattered around the water park that include healthy sides.

My favorite place to eat at the park is Launch Pad. I love the variety of subs. They carry everything from Italian to chicken salad.