By Scott D. Johnston
Typically, the smile on Beth Hunkins’ face is even bigger than the role she’s taken on as executive director of the Coastal Interpretive Center in Ocean Shores. An outdoor enthusiast who once managed cave tours at a major national park, her first official day was June 1.
Departing director Darlene Roselle and her husband, Kent, are returning to the desert Southwest to become “reverse snowbirds.” Their permanent residence will be in the foothills outside Phoenix, and they intend to spend summers here in the Pacific Northwest.
Hunkins has a bachelor’s degree in recreation studies with an emphasis on outdoor education from Ohio University in Zanesville, Ohio, where she also worked as a news videographer for a local TV station. After working two summers as a cave tour guide at Sequoia National Park in central California — “I probably spent about 1,000 hours underground,” she chuckled — she became the manager of the tour operation, which handles 50,000 visitors in an average summer.
Five years ago, her “really amazing man” took a job in Olympic National Park. Hunkins has been working part time with an after-school literacy skills program at Lake Quinault School. They are building a house near Amanda Park.
When the Interpretive Center started searching for Roselle’s replacement, “I wasn’t really looking for more work,” Hunkins said. “But when I saw the ad, it was kind of a strange moment. I felt like this job description was written for me, was meant for me.”
She had visited the center five years earlier and “thought it was a really neat little place.” When she came back to interview for the director’s position, “I was so impressed with the changes — the remodeling, the exhibits. Clearly the place has had so much love, so much work put in, so much passion.”
The Roselles’ decision to relocate to Arizona came in March, during a visit to the area they had called home for seven years prior to coming to the North Coast in 2014. “It’s probably one of the hardest things I’ve done,” said Darlene, and “it’s the only place I would leave Ocean Shores for.”
Her tenure as executive director was less than a year, but impactful. Major accomplishments include creating a functional database of the center’s 67 volunteers and generating more community involvement.
She recalled initially getting involved with the Coastal Interpretive Center “just by bringing items in, and the enthusiasm and knowledge of the volunteers was just wonderful. I fell in love with the place and decided I wanted to be part of it.” Before she knew it, she was volunteering 30 to 40 hours a week.
Her final days as a regular volunteer there will be next week.
“I hope to pick up where Darlene has left off,” said Hunkins. “Her work here has obviously been very influential in setting this organization on a solid course.”
Saturday programs
Starting July 1, the center will offer an interactive, creative project for all ages each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call the center at 360-289-4617 or email management@interpretivecenter.org.
Day camps
Day camps will be offered for middle school students from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday from July 12 to Aug. 2. Subjects explored will include marine ecology; forestry and native flora; freshwater ecology; and native birds and wildlife. These activities are free and lunch is provided, but registration is required and limited to 10 people per day. Call the center at 360-289-4617.
More information
The Coastal Interpretive Center is located at 1033 Catala Ave. SE, about a quarter-mile north of the Damon Point beach access area. It is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Labor Day. For more information, call 360-289-4617 or visit www.interpretivecenter.org.
Memorial service
The Coastal Interpretive Center will be closed June 17 in remembrance of Gene L. Woodwick. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1200 Soule Ave., Hoquiam.
