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Camp Nor'wester's Program

Community Structure
Campers are grouped by age/grade with approximately 12-15 children in a "unit". Younger campers are housed in tents with wooden floors, the older campers and staff members in tipis. All are furnished with bed frames and mattresses. Two unit leaders are assigned to each group. In addition, several program staff such as craft or sailing instructors live in the unit and participate in many of the unit activities.

Participation in major activities is primarily by unit to help develop group living skills and to encourage achievement and interest in a wide range of activities. However, enough flexibility is maintained to allow campers to pursue activities in which they have special interest.

Nor'wester Staff
Nor'wester's staff of approximately 80 men and women, most of them college students and graduates, provide leadership to a maximum of 170 campers, with a supervision ratio of 1:3. Unit Staff, as "parents" for the unit, are responsible for planning and scheduling the daily activities of their campers, while Department Staff provide specialized instruction in their area of expertise. Each major camp activity has a director who, in most cases, is assisted by one or more instructors. A registered nurse is in residence at the camp. All staff are required to have current certifications in first aid and CPR and are responsible for the general health and safety of the campers.

Activities

Sailing
The sailing program capitalizes on the Camp's location, the magnificent San Juan Islands in Washington State. Instruction in 12' foot Picos and 19 foot Lightnings is geared to the experience of each camper, with opportunities available for racing and overnight trips lasting 4-5 days.

Kayaking
Older campers enjoy our one and two person kayaks. Our location allows for intimate exploration of surrounding shorelines as well as trips to neighboring islands. Like the Lightnings, kayaks are also used for our overnight trips, and outcamp trips lasting 4-5 days.

Canoeing
Canoeing is popular with nearly every age group. Our twelve 17' two-person canoes, our 22' Nuu-chah-nulth style and our 35' Haida style dug out canoes are used by campers to explore the shorelines and beaches of the San Juan Islands and to go on outcamp trips lasting 1-5 days. The Haida canoe was carved at camp from a single cedar log by noted art historian and artist Bill Holm. It has space for 13 paddlers and is one of few of its kind in use today.

Hi/Lo Ropes and Challenge Course
 The Ropes Course builds self-confidence as each camper attempts the many different levels that make up the course. The Challenge component emphasizes group participation and problem-solving skills through activities that develop an appreciation for teamwork and cooperation. Challenge activities and low elements are available to all campers, the high course is available to campers in the older units.

Arts/Crafts
Our craft instructors are on hand to teach a variety of skills. Campers are taught to conceptualize, develop and produce their individual projects, without the use of kits or prepared projects. Our large craft center is well equipped for wood working and carving, ceramics, embroidery, weaving, spinning, dyeing, macramé, book binding, silk screening, batiking, painting and drawing, jewelry making, calligraphy, basket making, leather work, and other crafts depending on expressed interests and the experience of our instructors.

Music
Music is an important part of every day life at Nor'wester. Folk songs and ballads from many countries, reflecting different times and ways of life, are sung after meals in the dining hall, at campfires, in the shower and on the trails. Lessons offered in guitar, piano and often fiddle and banjo, have marked the beginning of a life-long interest in music for many campers and staff.

Bicycling
The bicycle fleet, comprised of 26 mountain bikes, is popular for daylong rides and overnights on neighboring islands, and for multi-day tours in the San Juans and Canadian Gulf islands.

Northwest Native Focus
Located on a site with clear evidence of old Native encampments, Nor'wester has a unique tradition of Northwest Coastal art and culture. This tradition, inherited from the Henderson Camps, is reflected in the camp's totems, canoes and our spectacular Kwakwaka'wakw-style Bighouse. It influences much of the artwork produced at camp, and is the basis for the gift exchange which take place at season's end. All campers and staff will learn about the Northwest Coastal tribes and will see songs and dances of the Northwest people, performed at the end of each session in the Bighouse.

Bicycling
The bicycle fleet, comprised of 26 mountain bikes, is popular for daylong rides and overnights on neighboring islands, and for multi-day tours in the San Juans and Canadian Gulf islands.

Nature
Our full time naturalist teaches campers about the local ecology and general biosystems. Our unique natural campsite with its many forests, meadows, beaches, tide pools, wetland and coves invites exploration. Younger units can also accompany the naturalist to the Whale Museum and Lime Kiln Park on San Juan Island.

Archery
Under the guidelines of the National Archery Association, campers are instructed in safe and fun shooting. The reward for faithful practice is the satisfaction of mastering a skill and the opportunity to earn N.A.A. Awards.

Drama
The drama program provides campers with an opportunity to express themselves creatively, to learn to speak in front of groups and to learn to work with others to create entertainment. Units develop and host campfires and chapels under the guidance of our full time drama instructor. Individuals can also participate in a full length presentations produced by the drama department at the end of each session.

Adobe Oven
Our outdoor adobe oven, is heated by wood. Campers have an opportunity to try their hand at baking bead, cinnamon rolls, pizza, cookies, pies and many other culinary creations. Best of all they get to eat their results fresh from the oven! Fresh ingredients from our garden often make their way into adobe treats.

Weekly Overnights
Once a week all campers spend the night camping out with their unit, away from the main camp and other groups of campers. With the help of staff members, the campers plan their overnight destinations, means of transportation and their menu for dinner and breakfast. These outings provide a hands-on opportunity for everyone to practice and improve low-impact camping techniques. Destinations include hidden coves, windswept beaches, forested hilltops, secluded meadows on the island and on nearby islands. Transportation is mainly by foot, canoeing, kayaking, rowing or bike.

Outcamp Trips
Older campers participate in co-ed, out camp trips lasting four to five days. These trips may include a mountaineering expedition, alpine hike, biking, kayaking and sailing through the San Juan Islands in a fleet of 19' Lightning sailboats, or paddling the 35' Haida Indian canoe. The Mt. Baker trip is led by a professional mountain guide. Ice axes, ropes, crampons and helmet are supplied by the camp for snow and glacier travel. These trips, both challenging and rewarding are, to many, one of the highlights of their camp experience.

Work Projects
Work is an essential part of our program both philosophically and practically. Each unit reserves one or two periods during the week for maintenance and improvement projects. Typical jobs are hauling fire wood for the shower houses, cutting and skinning tipi poles, graveling tipi floors, or clearing trails. Older units may participate in community service related activities on San Juan or Lopez Island.

Weekly Reflection and Musicale
These offerings happen every Sunday. Weekly Reflection is a gathering, hosted by a different Unit each week. The Unit will pick a topic, like friendship, communication, honesty, or respect, and present it to the entire camp community. Songs, readings, skits or small group activities help to guide our discussion and exploration of the chosen topic. Musicale is an opportunity for individuals and small groups to perform for the entire camp after our Sunday mid-day meal. They might play an instrument, sing a song, read a poem or perform some other talent.



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