It is connected by a mile-long trail to Camano Island State Park, a 134-acre camping park. Both parks are open for day use or overnight stays year round. Some programs, such as boat rentals, have associated fees, and others have suggested donations. Walking the beach, exploring the boats and browsing the exhibits is always free of charge. Free Saturday sail at Cama Beach State Park on May 12
OLYM
PIA – April 30, 2012 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and The Center for Wooden Boats invite the public to attend the 11th Annual Mother’s Day Sail at Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 12 at Cama Beach State Park, 1880 S.W. Camano Drive, Camano Island. Participants may ride historic vessels visiting the park for no cost. A powered livery boat will transport visitors from the shore of Cama Beach State Park to the vessels sailing in Saratoga Passage. Onshore activities also are offered, including wooden toy boat building with traditional hand tools, nautical-themed card marking, live music and interpretive programs by State Parks staff and Washington State University Beach Watchers volunteers. The Discover Pass is required for this event. This year’s visiting vessels include:
• The Lavengro: Built in 1926, the Lavengro is a Biloxi-style schooner, similar to the shrimp and oyster schooner of Back Bay, Biloxi in the early 1900s.
• The Joshua: A 37-foot replica of Joshua Slocum’s Sprey, which he single-handedly sailed around the world.
• The Admirable: The Center for Wooden Boat’s own Bristol Bay Gillnetter. The Admirable is more than 100 years old and is the last known Bristol Bay gillnetter still in operation.
• The Isswatt: A tug boat built in 1948. The Isswatt was originally a salmon troller, later to be used as a yard tug at the Johnson Yard in Ketchikan, Alaska.
• The Patience: A Grand Banks dory originally constructed in Olympia. Parking is limited at Cama Beach State Park. Carpooling is recommended. For more information, contact The Center for Wooden Boats at (360) 387-9361 or [email protected]. The event is sponsored by The Center for Wooden Boats. The center has two locations, one in Seattle and one in the historic boathouse of Cama Beach State Park. The Center for Wooden Boats supports events at Cama Beach State Park throughout the year, including the youth fishing derby on June 9, CamOcean World Oceans Day Festival on June 16 and Small Boat Saturday on Oct. 13. The center aims to provide a gathering place where maritime history comes alive through direct experience and where small-craft heritage is enjoyed, preserved and passed along to future generations. The Cama Beach Café is playing host to a buffet-style Mother’s Day brunch at the new Cama Center in Cama Beach State Park, May 13. The event features the café’s new menu, including homemade soups and a traditional Scandinavian breakfast selection. Two seatings for the brunch are available at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $12 for children between 5 and 12 years old, and free for children 4 years and younger. Reservations are recommended. Parties of six or more are required to hold their reservation by credit card. A full menu of the bunch is available online at http://camabeachcafe.com/. For more information or to make a reservation, contact (360) 387-3266 or [email protected]. Cama Beach State Park is a 433-acre historic fishing resort with more than 6,000 feet of rocky beach. The park provides sweeping views of Saratoga Passage, Whidbey Island and the Olympic Mountain Range. The area now known as Cama Beach State Park was used for centuries by Native Americans for fishing and hunting. It was later developed into a fishing resort, popular with families for more than 50 years, before becoming a state park in 1994 through a combination of property donation and sale. Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks.
