Life-Shaping Experiences for a Lifetime of Growth

Now enrolling campers for summer 2025

Community Focus

Nor’wester’s Unit System provides a strong foundation for growth and success.

Outstanding Program

Time-tested activities and experiences that build skills and engage young people.

Rustic Living in Nature

Our outdoor, technology-free living promotes healthy connections and relationship-building in a safe environment.

A Place to Live Easy and Happy

Camp Nor’wester is located on a secluded outer island of the San Juans in Washington State.

Ready to come to camp? Start here!

  • "When I attended the camp over many summers, I realized this was the community of people I wanted to put myself in. The atmosphere of the camp always brings a smile to my face, and happy thoughts to my mind. Working long hours with people you love being around, laughing and singing isn’t work in my eyes, it’s an experience that you can’t find anywhere else."

    - 5-year Camper, 1st year Staff

  • "It’s an amazing experience that lets you really figure out who you are away from electronics and internet. It’s not just a regular summer camp, it’s completely magical. I don’t know if it’s the people or the island or a combination of both, but it’s just a very special place to everyone that goes."

    -3-year Camper, Age 15

  • "It was just what we hoped for. I trusted Nor’wester to offer our son an opportunity to engage socially, and learn about being a compassionate, engaged citizen, and to just be happy and feel included. And to realize that he didn’t need any electronic devices to be happy."

    -Parent

  • "Being a previous camper for two sessions, my experience at camp helped me to develop into who I am today and taught me the meaning of independence along with teamwork. After being away from home…I learned that I could thrive independently and I formed incredible relationships and bonds with people from all walks of life. I love the idea that I could be a part of a kid’s experience of growing up and becoming the person they want to be. Camp is the best place to do that and it would be an honor to become part of a team of amazing people who are passionate about working long hours for little pay in order to inspire, listen to and help kids."

    -1st year Staff, former Camper

Read the latest and greatest news from camp

Blog: Letters from Camp
Celebrating 25 Years
Celebrating 25 Years

You may have heard that this summer marks 25 years of Camp Nor’wester being able to call Johns Island home. While many older alumni think of Johns Island as the “new” camp location, more than a quarter of  Nor’wester’s almost 90-year history has been spent here. Alumni who were young staff members in the early Johns era are now parents sending their kids to camp. 

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Overnights
Overnights

Walking around Johns Island last night, you would have found Camp unusually quiet; no campfires in units, no whispered conversations in tents, no outhouse doors slamming, just a blanket of bright stars and the sound of waves. Where are all the campers? They are out on overnights!

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Meals at Nor'wester; A Community Affair
Meals at Nor'wester; A Community Affair

Despite years of working at Nor'wester and other camps, when I picture mealtime at a summer camp, I picture the sloppy joe mess hall scene in the Mary-Kate and Ashley classic "It Takes Two." While meals at Camp Nor'wester can contain a certain energy, the unbridled chaos represented in summer camp movies is not our reality. 

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2023-2024 Nor’wester Fund

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Camp Nor’wester relies on donors to support our mission and programming. Your gift makes a big difference in the lives of next summer’s campers! Please support the camper experience – your contribution helps cover new program supplies, facilities updates, staff perks, financial aid, and increases equity at Nor’wester through mental health support and equipment investments!

You can make a tax-deductible gift to Camp Nor’wester today by clicking the “Donate” button below. Thank you for your support!