Six Ouabache volunteers honored by state for contributions
By Jody Heaston
Ouabache State Park is proud to have six individuals recognized by the Department of Indiana State Parks as outstanding volunteers. The honorees were recognized at the April meeting of the Nature Lovers Lunch and Learn. Each was presented with a plaque and thanked for their contributions to Ouabache State Park.
Phil and Marcia Douglass won the 2022 Indiana State Parks Volunteer of the Year Award. In 2011, the Douglasses enrolled in an Indiana Master Naturalist class at Ouabache. There they were introduced to the campground host program. This is something they always thought about doing.
A couple years later, they sold their house, bought an RV and have served as Indiana State Park campground hosts ever since.
The Douglass family have hosted at Ouabache yearly at least two months every season.
If you have been camping here, you probably have talked to these folks. Once you meet them, you will see their passion and love for the park and their joy of interacting with people, which are traits that make great campground hosts. They go above and beyond with their customer service, always there to help campers and staff and to make sure the campground is clean after the busy weekends. They have also hosted at Mounds State Park, Turkey Run State Park and Brookville Lake.
Ouabache also had four volunteers that were recognized for their 2,500 hours of volunteer service. Kathy Schwartz, Kraig Schwartz, Jimmy Grover and Dan Allen can be seen regularly giving of their time to Ouabache.
Jimmy and Dan can often be seen on the trails keeping the brush cut back and helping to remove downed trees. They also enjoy visiting with people. Look for the two guys with tool belts and walking sticks. Make sure you stop to talk with them. It is a treat!
Kathy and Kraig, a mother and son duo, are very active in the Friends of Ouabache, each having served as officers to the Friends group, helping to coordinate the Junior Indiana Master Naturalist Day camp and organizing the Wonderland of Lights. There are countless hours behind the scenes to make the park turn into a lighted winter wonderland!
Kraig is the mastermind behind the Fire Tower Light Show. It takes hours to get the lights and music in sync.
Their volunteer work is enjoyed by many during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Ouabache has many great volunteers. We are grateful and appreciate each and every one. Next time you see one of our volunteers working please tell them, “Thank you!”
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