OLYMPIA — Herb and Jean Klein have won a Lifetime Achievement Award from Washington State Parks as they retire from serving as camp hosts at Fort Worden Historical State Park.
State Parks announced this month the recipients of its 2018 volunteer awards. State Parks and Recreation commissioners or staff will present volunteers with their awards in the coming weeks, according to a press release.
Other award recipients working on the North Olympic Peninsula are the Friends of Fort Townsend State Park and Troye Jarmuth of Sequim.
The Kleins began camp hosting in 2005. All but one of the Kleins’ hosting assignments were at Fort Worden.
“Their polite, friendly and caring demeanor and their dedication and effort bring campers back to the park each year,” the state said in a press release.
“The couple has done everything from cleaning campsites to referring visitors to local services and keeping the upper campground organized during the busy Fiddle Tunes Festival.”
The Friends of Fort Townsend was named the Western Washington Group of the Year for their work at Fort Townsend.
The group of volunteers has worked at the park since 2009.
A major project they undertook was the remodeling of the Friends Barn — a replica of a historic 1800s-era stable building. The renovations cut heating costs by recirculating existing heat in the facility, the state said.
The group also maintained park trails, cleaned up storm damage, cleaned the park’s historic cemetery, purchased supplies to patch potholes in the road and provided firewood to campers among other activities.
Jarmuth was named one of two rookie hosts of the year for her work at Fort Flagler Historical State Park.
“Jarmuth is vigilant in providing the best customer service to every person who comes her way,” according to the press release.
”She maintains a supportive atmosphere regardless of the question or challenge in front of her and displays initiative to assist visitors. She keeps staff informed of campers’ and park needs, and she does so professionally and with a helpful attitude.”
Each year, Washington State Parks recognizes the contributions of its volunteers with special awards for service in the previous year. State Parks staff nominate volunteers.
Each year, more than 9,800 volunteers contribute their time to state parks. Park volunteers assist visitors, clean campsites, maintain trails and grounds, help with interpretive presentations, host at campgrounds or offer special expertise on a variety of subjects.
Other 2018 awards are:
• Award of Excellence — Gary Formhals, Fort Casey State Park.
• Eastern Washington Group of the Year — Olmstead-Smith Historical Gardeners, Olmstead Place Historical State Park.
• Outstanding contribution by a group — Orcas Island Odd Fellows, Moran State Park.
• Volunteer Camp Hosts of the Year — Ross and Pam Dunfee, Sacajawea Historical State Park.
• Volunteer of the Year — Wayne Clark, Fort Casey Historical State Park.
• Outstanding Contribution by Camp Hosts — Blaine and Becky Housden, Lake Chelan State Park.
• Rookie Host of the Year — Lori Cobb, Sacajawea Historical State Park.
• Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer — Mark Keene, Cama Beach Historical State Park.
• Good Samaritan Award — Mike and Marcia Barrett, Blake Island Marine State Park.
For more information about volunteering at state parks, see parks.state.wa.us/262/Volunteer-Program or contact Volunteer@parks.wa.gov or 360-902-8583.
