Hay River (Sep 04/06) - For Mark Benoit, being at work is like being at home.

That's because Benoit, 17, practically grew up in Hay River Territorial Park, where he worked this summer.

"I've been here my whole life," he said. His family has run the recreation area, located on the shore of Great Slave Lake, for the last 23 years and his mother is the park manager.

This is the first summer Benoit has officially worked at the park, which is open from May 15 to Sept. 15.

The teenager said he knows the area inside and out: "Every little nook and cranny and trail, and every squirrel."

Helping operate the park, which has 33 campsites, is hard work, Benoit said.

"All people are different and they all want different things."

His tasks include signing in guests, cleaning fire pits, making sure all services are available, and picking up garbage throughout the park, including the Hay River Beach.

"It's an all-day job," he said, noting he works from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

"I don't mind it at all. You've got to work for a living. Nothing comes free."

As for working in the future, Benoit, who is entering Grade 12 at Diamond Jenness Secondary School in the fall, said he may train to be a heavy duty mechanic or an electrician.

At the end of the work day, he sometimes takes a couple of hours to visit friends in Hay River before returning to the park residence for the night.

Overnight, he ensures the park is quiet, making sure no one throws any loud parties.

Benoit likes meeting park visitors, who come from all over the world.

Recently, he signed in visitors from Poland, and the teen has also met people from all over Canada, the United States, Mexico, China, Switzerland, Germany, Japan and elsewhere.

Benoit said it's an opportunity to learn a bit about other countries. "I love meeting people and learning about new cultures."

The teenager also gets to hear firsthand what the international travellers think of the park, the NWT and Canada.

"I hear compliments all the time," he said. "People say what a beautiful site and what a beautiful park, and how they love Canada."

Benoit also likes the peace and quiet of working in the park, which is tranquil even though it is only a few minutes from downtown Hay River.

"It does seem like you're out of town."

With the autumn not far away, he said the park will soon be ablaze with colour as the seasons change and leaves begin to fall. "Then we've got to pull out the rakes."