HSSP volunteers making a difference

Wyoming State Parks have had a program in place for six years that allows the different parks across the state to bring in volunteers to work in their areas for the summer season.

Budget and staffing cuts across the board called for some kind of help to keep the parks in tip-top shape, so a volunteer coordinator for the state was hired in Cheyenne to gather a list of volunteers and where they would like to help out.

This year, Hot Springs State Park hosted four such volunteers, Glen and Arlene Heinrich, Gail Curry and Damon Johnson.

The Heinrich's found the opportunity on the internet and applied for a couple of the openings.

Curry said she also found the opening on the internet and it was something she always wanted to do. Thermopolis, however, is her second round with park volunteering as she spent last summer at the Territorial Prison in Laramie.

Johnson swears he's here because he hit the underpass with his RV and is working it off, but this is actually his second summer here in Thermopolis.

For Curry, the best part of being a volunteer is the people. She spent her time working at the bathhouse, and said, "The people are so interesting. There's never a dull moment. Its so interesting talking with all of them and helping them plan their trip after they leave here."

Learning new tasks is the fun part for Glen Heinrich and wife, Arlene said they would be willing to come back any time.

The Heinrich's came with their own RV.

"I'll say it's very hot," Glen said, "Our AC didn't work well, but you know, its not as bad as the temperature at home (California)."

Curry had an issue with her car breaking down and said it was strange being a long distance from a big city to get it going again.

"You just have to plan ahead," she said. "Its an adventure."

Most of the volunteers did some traveling while they were here and even had friends and relatives visit.

While the program only requires about 20 hours per week, Johnson said he has a tough time slowing down.

"I work every day just to keep busy," he said.

Kevin Skates, head of the park said, "They have been really busy this last week. We had 33,000 people at Boysen (another area they volunteer with) in five days. That the amount we usually see in half the season.

"This has been the best group we've ever had. Whatever needed done, they were right on it."

The group also had high praise and many thanks to Skates for the wonderful opportunity and the great time they had. Their plan going home now is to talk to other friends and family to get them to volunteer with the program as well.