Volunteer feeds hunger for nature

RVer Jim Mansfield of Spokane loves nature.

“I’ve been an outdoors sort of a person all my life,” says Mansfield. “Way back when, I minored in conservation and biology in college. I have always had a love for things in the wild, the trees, the quiet.”

For the past four years, the retired university administrator has volunteered with the Washington State Parks. This year he signed on for June and October at Fields Spring State Park in the very southeast corner of the Washington.

“I had a rather sedentary desk job for 35 years as a university admission director,” says Mansfield, “so I look forward to doing hard physical labor when volunteering. I also bike five miles around the park each evening, as well as hike some of the trails.”

In exchange for 28 hours of work a week, Mansfield gets a free campsite for his 2000 Alpenite fifth wheel trailer. When Jim’s wife, Beth, joins him, the total work time for both of them is still only 28 hours to qualify for their campsite with full hookups.

Mansfield, however, is one of those guys who puts in much more than the required 28 hours. During June, when the average volunteer worked around 120 hours, he recorded 233 hours.

“But that’s me,” he says, “I like to keep busy. I often put in between an 8- and 10-hour day.”

During June he worked on projects as diverse as developing computerizing spreadsheets to helping construct a warming hut atop the 4,500-foot summit of Puffer Butte.

“I can’t put into words what I get back from volunteering with the state parks,” he says. “The personal satisfaction is way up there.”

Mansfield’s observations

Based on his four years experience, Mansfield offers a few suggestions to folks to consider before signing on as a volunteer with Washington State Parks.

1. Be certain that your expectations and those of the park ranger are understood and agreed upon. During your orientation with park staff, clarify responsibilities or bring up concerns.

2. You will be an official representative of the state parks system, so you should dress appropriately; avoid offensive language and conduct; and avoid displaying decals, signs, bumper stickers, etc. that express political or religious viewpoints.

3. Once you know which park you’ll be at, spend some time getting oriented to the area by stopping in at the nearest Chamber of Commerce and also read the parks orientation manual usually available at the park.

4. If possible, try to attend a statewide orientation program. Washington holds a “Camporee” each April for this purpose.

Washington State Parks

Sarah Oldfield, state parks volunteer program staff in Olympia, says:

“ Hosts and volunteers are accepted for positions year-round throughout the state. People are needed at campgrounds, day-use parks, interpretive centers, environmental learning centers and marine parks.

“ Pets are welcome as long as they are kept on a leash, in control and picked up after.

“ To learn more about volunteering and hosting, contact Sarah Oldfield at the Washington State Parks, Volunteer Programs, P O Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650; (360) 902-8583; e-mail: Sarah.Oldfield@parks.wa.gov.

“ The Washington State Parks’ website is www.parks.wa.gov.

Laundry saga continues

A couple more readers have called in with comments in response to last week’s answer to an RVer’s request for suggestions on how to clean/disinfect washing machines in public laundromats while on the road.

Last week’s recommendation was to consider a bleach-only pre-wash. It turns out, however, that the bleach-only pre-wash might apply only to laundromats that are hooked up to a city sewer system.

If you are using a laundry facility that is tied into to a septic system, “do not use bleach,” says fulltime RVer Jim Mikoski.

“We are staying in an RV park near Hope, Idaho, and there is a sign in the laundry that specifically says not to use bleach of any kind because it kills the bacteria in the septic system.”

So, if in doubt about using bleach, ask the manager of the facility where you are washing your clothes.

“ An anonymous RVer called in from the road and recommended the purchase of a stackable washer-dryer set or a combination washer-dryer.

She said hers cost around $1,000. “Then,” she said, “they wouldn’t have to worry about dirty Laundromats or spending the extra time and money running a bleach-only load through the washing machine.”

Wheel question

We are still looking for your favorite campgrounds or boondocking locations for viewing autumn colors. If you have photographs, send them to Wheel Life, Spokesman Review, 999 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99201. We’ll post them on the Wheel Life online page (www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/wheellife).