The Browns Win 2025 Host of the Year for Moran State Park
Ron and Chris Brown received Washington State Parks’ 2025 Host of the Year award for their volunteer work staffing the Summit Visitor Center atop Mount Constitution in Moran State Park, islandssounder.com reported.
How a Pandemic-Altered Trip Led to Moran State Park
Volunteering at Moran State Park was not part of Ron and Chris Brown’s initial plan. In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic dashed their hopes of traveling to Denali National Park in Alaska. Since they were based in Olympia at that time, Chris proposed that they look into options with Washington State Parks, which ultimately directed them toward a volunteer listing for the Summit Visitor Center on Mount Constitution.
“We got excited about a volunteers’ wanted ad to staff the Summit Visitor Center atop Mount Constitution! It felt like the ad jumped off the page, beckoning us to apply,” the Browns said, according to islandssounder.com.
Moran State Park was not the couple’s first volunteer stint. Their past volunteer experiences span diverse settings, from the evergreen forests of Olympic National Park in Washington to the desert landscape of Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico. Upon driving their RV up the winding road to Mount Constitution, however, the couple felt an immediate sense of home.
Supporting the Friends of Moran and Park Visitors
The Browns see their function as assisting park employees along with the Friends of Moran, a non-profit entity operating the Summit Visitor Center gift shop that channels store revenues into programs supporting the park. To serve the public and support these programs, the Browns attempt to keep the visitor center open daily. Their efforts, particularly Chris’ talent for organizing displays, have notably boosted gift shop sales.
“We feel a deep connection to this park, and we want to share that with visitors. We want to be part of what makes their trip meaningful. We also see our role as supporting park staff and the Friends of Moran,” the Browns stated, as reported by islandssounder.com.
Between visitor center shifts, the Browns pick up trash, circle the parking lot, chat with visitors, and ask if assistance is needed. Acting as the eyes and ears of Mount Constitution, their customer service ultimately earned them the 2025 Host of the Year recognition.
A Memorable Encounter on Day One
Among their many interactions with visitors, one stands out from their first day of volunteering in 2021. While Chris set out merchandise in the gift shop, Ron greeted visitors at the door and noticed a young man pushing a walker and struggling to move, with his friends trailing behind.
Ron approached the young man, welcomed him to the park, and explained that Mount Constitution rises over 2,400 feet, offering views of the San Juan Islands via a short trail.
“I could never make it up there,” the young man replied, hanging his head.
“If you want to get up there, we can get you up there,” Ron told him.
Encouraged by his friends, who said, “Come on, Ken. We’ll help Ron carry you up,” the group lifted Ken’s walker and carried him up the steep trail. As they reached the top, the distant snow-capped peaks of Mount Baker came into view, bringing Ken and his friends to tears.
Ken’s best friend later told Ron that Ken had endured multiple surgeries that left him struggling to find joy, and that seeing Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands was life-changing. Later that afternoon, Ken returned to the visitor center with a poem he wrote about Ron, telling him, “Because of you, I can smile again.”
Overcoming Personal Adversity to Enrich Visitor Experiences
The Browns have faced their own share of adversity, taking a year off from volunteering at Moran after Chris received a breast cancer diagnosis.
“I beat the cancer. I’m a breast cancer survivor,” Chris said, as reported by islandssounder.com. “I’m grateful to be here. I’ve met visitors who are also cancer survivors, and it’s always a bonding moment.”
The couple believes their hardships have made them more empathetic to visitors and open to different perspectives. They regularly meet travelers from Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and other global locations.
Today, the Browns continue their daily routines at the park. Chris straightens apparel in the gift shop, while Ron guides visitors to a rocky outcropping of moss—dubbed “the wall of moss”—where he shares findings from University of Washington scientists who determined that one species on the wall dates back to before the last Ice Age.