K7P - Cama Beach State Park Special Event Stations
October 18th-19th, 2008
(updated 23 February 2009)

The BEARONS, in conjunction with the Stanwood/Camano ARC participated in the K7P special event on October 17th - 19th.  The event celebrated the opening of Cama Beach State Park, the first new park for Washington in over 10 years.

Date:  October 18th and 19th, 2008
Times: 1600Z to 2359Z (both days)

Frequencies (+/- depending on QRM):
SSB - 14.265 MHz, 7.250 MHz
CW - 14.040 MHz
 

QSL info - Send a #10 SASE to:

Mark McLauchlin KN7T
2625 176th St. SE
Bothell, WA. 98012-6647

11-January 2009 Update:  We have received the QSL cards from the printer and have nearly completed the return QSL activity.  If you QSL'd K7P, you'll get a card in return.  Thanks for your patience.  DX return QSLs may take a bit longer but you will receive a card.

23-February 2009 Update:  All of the QSLing activity for the event has been completed.  Thanks to all who QSO'd with us.

Brief history of Cama Beach:

Cama Beach is located on Camano Island, Washington, about 40 miles North of the metropolitan Seattle area.  Previously, it was a simple rustic resort offering cabins and boats for rent. The property included a store and central bathhouse. Families would often come to rent the cabins to do a little fishing and enjoy the beach.  Prior to the resort, in much earlier times, it was a Native American camp site.

The resort first opened in 1934. A boathouse was constructed around the year 1950. The resort continued in regular operation until 1989.  The family who owned the resort wanted the property to remain as a single parcel and not be further developed. Ultimately, the family came to an agreement with the state of Washington that a new park would be created. They sold the property at less than market value to the state and reinvested much of the money they received back into renovating the buildings.

The park was placed on the National Register of historic places in 2000.

The boathouse is now used by the Center For Wooden Boats. Boat building classes are held there and boats are available for rent.

Cama Beach is a different kind of park. It is a time capsule to an earlier period of Washington history. Cars are parked in a remote area and access to the beach and cabins is either by foot or by a shuttle bus that operates from the parking area to the beach.

The park will appeal to people looking for a different kind of camp experience. There are sweeping views to the west of Puget Sound, the Olympic moutains and gorgeous sunsets as well as a great beach walking experience.

The cabins are available for rental all year round.

Cama Beach was featured in the June 2008 issue of Sunset Magazine.

Additional information is available at http://www.parks.wa.gov/camabeach  (Washington State Parks) or http://www.cwb.org/camabeach.htm (Center For Wooden Boats)

Historical photos of Cama Beach:  (photos courtesy of Cama Beach State Park)

Current day photos:

(Page last updated February 23, 2009)