NOR’WESTER
A newsletter from and for the Camp Nor'wester community Fall
2004
Read the Spring 2004 Newsletter
Seeing magic in the spirit of camp
Katie Barthelow, First Session Troubador 2004, delivers
a memorable speech during Olympic games.
It's knot just a line
Andy Marcuse strings skills and values together.
Singing stories
Christie Beeman takes a fresh look at Camp Songs
and life with kids.
A word from the Directors
Paul and Christa sum up another wonderful summer.
Pictures from Summer 2004
A small sampling of photos and memories
Growing up
Lori (Converse) Humphreys now teaches math and
wishes a camp experience for her students
Wishing
Camp always needs a few things….
Fall
is upon us, but ...
Seeing magic in the spirit of camp
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Katie Barthelow, First Session Troubador 2004, presented this speech as the Blue Team Captain during the Olympic Banquet:
"I can remember when I was 8 years old and still living on Lopez. My sister went to Camp Nor'wester and came home with a magical sparkle in her eyes. I remember wanting so badly to have a little piece of that magic for my very own."
"Now, after another 8 years, I've found it. I hate myself for waiting so long to come here, because I realize I could have attained that wonder a long time ago. I can't begin to express how envious I am of all of you who have grown up coming here, but at the same time, I feel immeasurably fortunate to have been able to spend the time here that I have."
"Really, the only word that does this place any justice is magical. Everywhere I go, I feel the magic waiting for someone to unlock it-to discover it. I've found it on the ropes course, swinging from the flying squirrel, on the kayaks eerily close to the water, at the craftshop watching clothing materialize from almost nothing, in the blizzard on Mount Baker, feeling the whole group put aside differences to achieve our goal, and during all musical times, moving to the sound with no inhibitions."
"But more than anywhere, I've felt it and seen it in the people around me. These are amazing people, and when they mix with this unbelievable place, magic really does happen. My counselors have embraced me as an equal rather than an annoyance or responsibility. The returning campers have made me feel right at home and the various department staff have sincerely put all their time and heart into giving us campers the best experience possible."
"I could have never guessed before coming here that in such a short period of time I would have acquired another home, another family-but I truly believe this is a community and I feel blessed to be counted as one of its many members. I can't imagine having to leave, and as cheesy as it sounds, it hurts just to think about it."
"There's something in the air here that sets the
soul free. I gain comfort in realizing that so many more people after
me will have the chance to experience the enchantment here. And the mere
thought of coming back to help create that magic lightens my spirit. I
will treasure this month in my heart, and try my very hardest to share
the magic and wonder I have received here with everyone I meet."
Tying the past to the present...
It's knot just a line
If you were ever a camper or staff at Nor'wester, then
you know full well the many ways in which Camp can influence your life.
Maybe you formed a deep, lifelong friendship with someone. Maybe you learned
a new skill, craft or sport that you continue to practice. Maybe you came
to appreciate the natural environment and the outdoors. Maybe you did
all of those things at Nor'wester. I know I did.
Camp's influence also manifests itself in other, less
dramatic ways. Most of us recycle and conserve water. Many of us stop
to help others struggling with an awkward load. The hearts of a special
few beat faster upon spying a big, olive-green truck. (You know who you
are.) And in a pinch, virtually all of us can build a decent rain shelter
out of nothing more than a plastic tarp and some rope. Which brings me
to the subject of knots.
I learned various knots at Nor'wester, some as a camper
and others as a staff member. Some, like the tautline hitch, I learned
as an Explorer or Ranger, when counselors helped us to make shelters on
our first overnight. Others, like the bowline, the water knot and the
blood knot, I learned later on during sailing, climbing, riding and other
activities that involved lines or ropes. (I worked at Camp in the stables
and was partial to rock climbing, so I invariably call it "rope."
My wife, Katie, worked on the dock for several summers, so she invariably
calls it "line." She refuses to see the error of her ways, but
I learned at Camp to appreciate and respect people's differences, so I
refrain from pointing out that she's dead wrong. I also refrain because
she can coil rope much faster and better than I can.)
Virtually every knot I learned at Camp has proven useful
over time. And while I don't remember them all, I regularly use some:
A tautline hitch to tie lumber to the car's luggage rack; a bowline on
a bight to keep tree branches away from a fresh coat of house paint; a
modified blood knot to mend a broken shoelace.
The act of tying a knot perpetuates Nor'wester's influence
in my life. As my fingers persuade the rope into familiar patterns, my
mind is inevitably transported back to particular Camp moments: Knot lessons
in the lodge on a day too windy to sail; lazing in a warm, dry sleeping
bag as raindrops plop down onto a taut plastic tarp above; stepping backwards
into space to rappel off the lip of a seemingly sky-high rock face.
In this way, a completed knot draws together separate
points in time, signifying a line (to use my wife's word) that I can trace
from the present right back through my childhood. Knots may serve to bind
rope to a useful end, but more importantly they also serve to bind me
to Nor'wester- to a time and a place where I came to know myself, to know
others, and perhaps to understand them all a little better.
To learn or remember more about knots, see Clifford W.
Ashley, The Ashley Book of Knots (Doubleday; ISBN 0-385-04025-3)
This article was contributed by Andy Marcuse - a Nor'wester camper 1979-1984, staff member 1986-90, and currently serving on the Nor'wester Board of Directors. Drop Andy a line at hautacam@earthlink.net
Camp across the generations
Singing stories
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Nothing is more evocative of the Camp Nor'Wester spirit than the sound of those wonderful camp songs! Even 25 years later, I'm transported: sitting on a little red bench with beloved friends, role models and fellow adventurers, belting out songs that reflect all of the emotional intensity of the Camp Experience. We laughed! We cried! We stomped our feet! But now that I am singing the old familiar songs to my own kids, themes are emerging that I never noticed before. Are these songs really appropriate for kids?
Betrayal
The "Golden Vanity" makes a lovely lullaby, slow and sweet, but I start to squirm when the Captain reneges on his promise to the heroic cabin boy. "Whiskey in the Jar" was always a crowd pleaser, and it would have had a happy ending if it weren't for that scheming Jenny. And then there's Grayson - we can only assume Tom Dooley would have escaped the noose if he hadn't squealed. (Don't get me started about Tom's crime!)
On "Spirits"
The "Drunken Sailor" leads off a whole drink-related genre. In "Blow ye Winds" they can't wait to pass around that "burning glass," and the "Row Bullies Row" verse where they run out of whiskey always caused a near-riot in the lodge. There's "Whiskey in the Jar," of course, though I never did understand how the chorus related to the plot. "Cigarettes & Whiskey" touches on all kinds of debauchery, but it's actually a cautionary tale ("there's a fire on one end and a fool on the other…"). Need I mention "Mountain Dew"?
Shipwreck
The camp repertoire is filled with sinking ships. The "Mermaid Song" starts out upbeat, the "fishy mermaid" not terribly threatening, but by the end the gallant ship is at the bottom of the sea. Lord Franklin's ship is driven onto mountains of ice, all hands lost. In the "Golden Vanity," the little cabin boy is a hero for sinking the Turks while they lie innocently in their hammocks, but then … see "Betrayal" above!
Death
Where do I start? "Ilky moor bar t'at" features
not only death by exposure, but also a sort of cannibalism. The Frozen
Logger meets a similar fate, but at least he's made into ax blades instead
of eaten. Tom Dooley is bound to die, Sweet William is dead, old Joe Clark
and the Ramblin Boy are dead and gone, and Sam Hall? dead, dead, dead!
It's all part of life
On further reflection, of course, I know that the Camp songs are so great exactly because they're NOT kids' songs! They're not about bunnies and choo-choo trains, but the big stuff. They're about feeling things deeply and giving your all; about loyalty, generosity, adventure, goodbyes and reunions, disappointment, regrets, and triumph. I hope my kids come to appreciate it.
Christie Beeman was a camper from 1978-80, and a staff member from 1981-1982. She mystifies her family with camp songs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Christie can be contacted at christiebee@sbcglobal.net
A
word from the Directors
Building memories and tradition
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It was another great summer at camp - sunshine, rain, creativity and community.
Enrollment was up, topping out at a total of 287 campers who laughed, sang, romped and fell in love with Johns Island. We had several international campers each session, including children from Canada, Italy, Belgium, Chile, Hong Kong, Myanmar and a group of eight students from an English-speaking school in Taiwan. We all benefit from such cultural diversity at camp!
Strength in staff
Our staff of 85 came from all over the country (and Canada) - entertaining and teaching campers with great enthusiasm and humor. We continue to benefit from wonderful continuity - 42% of staff were returning this year, 30% were former campers, and three staff celebrated their 5th year!
We were excited to set up a new "staff lounge" in the form of an all-season yurt. Now our hard-working staff have a place on-site for a little R&R.
Picture these scenes
One unit of campers were on an overnight to Stuart Island. They hiked out to "Lover's Leap" at the western end, and were treated to the sight of all three resident pods of orcas passing by!
A group of eight, second session campers recorded a new
CD of camp songs. They went with staff members to a studio on Orcas Island
to accomplish this project. The results will be available some time this
winter!
"The Wizard of Oz" was the Opry House performance for first
session and an eclectic group of songs, dances and skits comprised second
session's effort. Musicales showcased all the talent in camp and the Coffee
Houses had acts in the dozens. Campfires had the usual collection of bad
puns and on non-windy days were performed on the "new" stage
installed below the Welcome Pole.
All of our Special Days -Independence Day, Nell Robinson Day, Island Fair Day, Olympics, Potlatch - were celebrated with enthusiasm and delight.
Cultural Arts
The Big House posts were erected during second session. Campers all helped with ropes to pull the first post into place. The posts and crossbeams had come from the Helsell's place on Orcas. The gross placed the cross beams and an excavator placed the six-thousand pound 55' long beams. We hope to complete this structure next summer.
Two new canoes were added to the camp's fleet of boats. Designed by Calvin Hunt in the Nootka style, these fiberglass boats can carry up to nine campers and staff each. They were used on overnights as well as just local paddles and were a breath-taking sight from the shore. They may be used for a Big Trip next season. The Haida style dugout canoe that was carved by Bill Holm in 1968 is still used for day paddles and overnights.
Thank you!
We received an overwhelming supply of yarn, knitting needles, fabric, and other materials from our generous donors. Thank you all again for the contributions. Some extraordinarily creative endeavors came out of the Craft Shop this summer and the lodge was constantly filled with campers and their knitting projects!
"Explore Nor'wester" has become quite popular - we were full this year with over ten families on the waiting list! Despite an unusually wet arrival, everyone had lots of fun during this four-day preview for next season.
Thank you all for your continued support! We are grateful
to serve as directors for this great organization and look forward to
another memorable summer in 2005!
Paul and Christa
An eye on alumni
Growing up
As the years pass, what I remember more about Nor'wester is not the specific people (although there were a few stand-outs), but the essences that I took home with me: music, community, skills, and myself.
The first 20+ years of my life were rather unpredictable.
We moved often - every two to three years. I always had to make new friends
and adapt to new environments. During the summer months my life would
change dramatically - I'd come "home" to camp. Though faces
and counselors would change, the environment was stable.
How I treasured those times! I could sing after lunch,
dinner, and campfires and know that my voice blended with many others.
We knew all the trails and where we were going. We were a band of young
women - 15 to 16 strong - bonded by a name (Weaver, Vagabond, Voyager,
Wayfarer, or Troubadour) and we loved our month together. We swam, rode,
hiked, cooked, talked, listened, competed, danced, and grew strong.
Removing me from the day-to-day fabric of the world was
a very good experience. No longer was I only defined by my family, but
my other family - my summer family. For me, the fabric of Nor'wester made
me stronger and I could return home knowing more of myself and who I was
because of every song, every hike, every experience.
Now I'm a high school math teacher and am sorrowed as
I hear how my students spend their summers - I hear of classes, sports,
jobs. I long to stop my teaching and tell them to step out of the ordinary
and stretch their understanding of who they are!
My truth? The growth of who I am is defined by my summers
at Nor'wester. Now, my nephew, Austin, has joined the many who journey
north to spend summers on a new island but the same Nor'wester. He returns
with stories, songs, experiences, names, and laughter. He is now finding
himself as I did.
Lori Humphreys attended Nor'wester as a camper in
the 1970s and returned as staff in 1978 and 1982. As a camper she went
by Lori Ceteras and as a staff member as Lori Converse. Lori can be contacted
at mrshumphrat@astound.net.
Keepin' an eye out...
Wish list
Nor'wester always needs a few things that our budget just won't cover. If you would like to donate any of the items below, please contact the office at 360-468-2225. The items must be in good condition.
- Small (low mileage) pickup truck
- Laptop computer
- New mountain bikes