NOR’WESTER
A newsletter from and for the Camp Nor'wester community

Spring 2004

Staff make a lifetime of difference
Learning to be the biggest guy
Camp staff can make a huge and lasting impression on campers. Read Mike Poutiatine's story.

A summer writing assignment
Give us your words!
To tell the story about camp and effectively express why it's such a special place, we are requesting everyone's participation. Learn how you can join in.

Camp across the generations
Family ties to camp
The camp family crosses many generations. Kelly Curran talks about sharing camp with her sons.

An eye on alumni
Becoming
Nor'wester campers are challenged to develop new skills and face new experiences. For Elizabeth Bayley, those experiences shaped her adult life, as well as brought her and her fiancé together.

A word from the Directors
Summertime is coming !
Springtime means that Paul and Christa are preparing for camp and hiring staff. Read about the improvements for this season.

Staff make a lifetime of difference
Learning to be the biggest guy

It has been 25 years since I attended my last Nor'wester campfire as a camper.  Now I teach school, in large part because of my Nor'wester experience.  I have been thinking about this: about the 25 years and the teaching. It is not just because of Nor'wester that I teach today, it is really because of a couple of people at Nor'wester.

A few years ago, while working in my office one morning, I overheard three students who were studying for a history test:

Student #1:  "Who was George Washington?"

Student #2:  " WHO WAS GEORGE WASHINGTON!!?! "

Student #3:  "He was just the biggest guy of the whole thing , that's all!"

This last line kind of grabbed me - "The biggest guy of the whole thing..."  It seems almost every "whole thing" has its corresponding "biggest guy."  This, like most things I think about long enough, led me to think about camp, and my own "biggest guy of the whole thing".

Confident teacher

During my last years as a camper (ages 15 and 16) I was fortunate enough to have the same counselor for both years.  This counselor was young, but had a confidence about him that was contagious, like he could handle anything that came his way, even his mistakes.  He was smart and he knew the line between being a kid and being an adult.  

He willingly allowed us to play in that no-persons-land, between those two worlds like warriors and butterflies; like kings and jesters; like our liminal selves.  He had a way with the word responsibility that made you see the word for what it is and not for the guilt-bomb that most adults used it for. He showed us the beauty of our becoming.

There was something else; he made things happen.  You knew if you were in his unit you were going to do stuff - some important stuff, some not so important stuff, but you knew there would be no idle days.  The thing was, you never did stuff because you had to, you did stuff because you wanted to, because it was right.  And beyond that, it was not you doing stuff, it was WE doing stuff.  We did stuff like we were born to do stuff, all 15 of us, like all we had to do was be our own teenage-boy-selves and stuff happened that we could be proud of. . . like we finally could be at home with ourselves.

It was under his careful and intuitive care that we were shown, if we were paying attention, what leadership really was.  He showed us this out of instinct and an understanding of each of us. I was once told that a really great teacher has the ability to see the potential in a student before the student is even aware of it – one who sees the glory in the future from the seed in his hand.  My counselor could do this, and not just with me; he did it all the time for most of his unit.

Filling big shoes

What makes "biggest guys" do what they do?  I think "biggest guys" do what they do because they believe both in our being and our potential, which is the brightest gift they can give.  When I first became a Unit Leader, I remember thinking if only I could be the "biggest guy" for just one camper, I could honor the gift graciously given to me. If only I could give back one tenth of what my Mountaineer counselor gave to me, then the world would be right again.  The world cannot go on with goodness when debts like that go unpaid.  I had a covenant, a troth to pass this gift on to the best of my ability - and so I tried.

I suppose we all have our own "biggest guys" in our lives.  The people who help us shape our person to, in turn, shape our world.  The ones who empower us to be more than we think we can be.  The problem is that most of us only recognize the significance of those people in introspect.  Rarely do we take the time to acknowledge their gifts or thank them for the things that lie beyond words of thanks.  So for Dan Stack this will have to do - Thanks.  

This article was contributed by Mike Poutiatine – a Nor'wester camper 1972-1979, staff member 1980-1986, and currently serving on the Nor'wester Board of Directors.  Mike can be contacted at: Makalu1@earthlink.net .

A summer writing assignment
Give us your words!

Nor'wester is a newsletter from and for the Camp community. Twice a year the newsletter has kept you informed of changes at camp.

We intend to continue our updates, but it's time to hear more from members of the camp family, far and wide. In this issue you'll see articles from three alumni. We'd love to have your words for our fall issue. This is where you come in!

Tall tales or real stuff

With your help the newsletter will work to keep the camp community connected and help potential camp families get to know us better. Campers, staff, alumni, parents and friends of camp are all invited to submit poems, stories, songs, photographs, artwork, recipes or any other Nor'wester-inspired creations (review the submission policy below). In 50 - 600 words, campers might write of a favorite activity, alumni might tell what they're doing now, and parents are likely to tell stories that embarrass their children.

Snail mail or email

Creative works can be sent to NEWSLETTER EDITOR, c/o 5047 41st Ave SW, Seattle WA 98136, or c/o swlkkv@aol.com. You must include your name, age, affiliation with Camp Nor'wester, address, email, and phone number.

Submission policy

The fine print (important!): All submitted materials become the property of Camp Nor'wester upon receipt and the Camp may use and edit those materials as it sees fit in its sole discretion. By submitting material to the newsletter, you affirmatively represent that the material is not copyrighted or that you hold the copyright to the material and agree to these terms and conditions. Do not submit material copyrighted by others.

If you submit material copyrighted by others, and you do not have written permission to do so, then you shall indemnify Camp Nor'wester and its officers, directors, employees, and volunteers, and hold them harmless from any and all liability that may follow from such submittal. If you are under the age of 18 , then your parent or guardian must agree to these terms and conditions in writing in order for your material to be used.

Camp across the generations
Family ties to camp

For most Nor'wester alumni, although years pass there are always times camp days don't seem so far away. It's easy to conjure memories; sounds of the crowded lodge or water lapping at a Lightning hull. It's often just as easy to put our finger on formative experiences.

Kelly Curran found that group living and Big Trips in particular, gave her the self-confidence and willingness to try new things; ­ a courage that sent her to Central America for a year of college study.

As it will, one thing led to another, and she soon found herself working as a community health educator in South America, which led in turn to graduate school in public health. Now Kelly has a successful career at a Baltimore not-for-profit implementing HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs in Africa and the Caribbean.

Not only does Kelly credit her experience at camp for her professional achievements, but she also says the skills she learned as a Unit Leader helped her adjust to the challenges, responsibilities and joys of raising children.

At age 28, Kelly became step-mom to Ian Ng'asi who will be a second-year Mountaineer this summer. Ian has been going to camp since it reopened on Johns Island in 2000 ­ the same summer that he moved to the United States from Tanzania. Kelly and Ian agree that camp really helped Ian with the transition to life in the US.

"It really boosted his confidence and gave him some of the skills he needed to be successful in school," Kelly explains. Ian became interested in guitar at camp and now takes guitar lessons at home and plays at school. Reflecting on their shared experience Kelly adds, "The fact that he loves camp as much as I did, despite the vast differences in our childhoods, indicates that camp has a universal appeal."

Kelly and her husband, Adrian Ng'asi, now have a 5-month-old boy. Finnegan Curran-Ng'asi will follow in his big brother's footsteps at camp, becoming an Explorer in 2012, and carrying on the camp tradition in this family!

Kelly Curran was a camper from 1981-87, a staff member from 1989-91 & 1993-95, and currently serves on the Advisory Committee to the Nor'wester Board. Kelly can be contacted at kcurran@jhpiego.net

An eye on alumni
Becoming

It is safe to say that outside the influence of my family, camp has had the largest impact on who I have become as a person. From my 7 years as a camper and 5 as staff, I learned what it means to be a compassionate member of a community, to respect those around me, and the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with my friends. I would not have been as successful (both academically and as a person) in high school (Lakeside) and college (Harvard) if it were not for Nor'wester.

I was a really small kid as a Weaver, and it took a lot of encouragement from the staff to help me stand up for myself, learn the not-so-beneficial effects of cliques, and have fun with people who were respectful and honest with me. Nor'wester is an incredibly nurturing place–one that takes each child under its wing and finds the inner spark particular to that person, fanning an inner flame to allow the child to become more confident and self-aware.

Some of the strongest friendships in my life have grown out of Nor'Wester. That particular place and experience fosters an unparalleled sense of community. Every year I work there, I come away from the summer in a post-camp FUNK, derived from knowing that our summer community is being scattered to the winds and I have to return to the "real world".  The funk subsides as I realize that the community we create every summer on Johns is a model for what we should create in our "real world".

Nor'wester espouses qualities and values in individuals that create leaders in our "real world" community, even from a very early age. I have camp friends who have gone on to create artistic cooperatives, where anyone can come in and be creative (just like the craft shop), others who are now teachers, doctors, financial analysts and librarians. Talented and wonderful people.

I also met my future husband at camp, while we were both staff members. We were just friends while at camp, but ended up sharing the same passion to travel through South America, speak Spanish, and work in wilderness education together. With time, our relationship evolved from friendship to something more, and I'm excited to know I will share my life with someone who knows what Nor'wester magic is all about.  It is such a gargantuan part of who I am, and he gets that.

I have so many favorite memories of Nor'wester, including: jumping the whole lodge with my Wayfarer unit in a "Christmas" theme, nosebags looking out over the waters of the San Juans, summitting Mt. Baker with a group of 14 year olds, the sound of laughter in the lodge, waking up to light cascading through the canvas of a tipi, and those blessed, unforgettable grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup!

This article was contributed by Elizabeth Bayley– a camper 1983-1989, staff member ‘92, ‘94, ‘96, ‘00-‘01, and currently serves on the Advisory Committee to the Nor'wester Board while in graduate school to become a nurse practitioner. Elizabeth can be contacted at: ecbayley@earthlink.net

A word from the Directors
Summertime is coming !

With the passing of May Day it is full steam ahead into Summer 2004!

Johns Island news

There have been some changes over the winter that make wonderful improvements to the program. These additions include: a new power boat to improve our ability to transport staff and campers, a new grill and oven for the kitchen, a backup generator "just in case", and a 24' yurt to serve as a place where staff can find some much needed R&R and still stay on the property.

Work weekends this year have been well attended and extremely successful. The Big House site has been cleared and leveled and materials are on site to pour the footings for the House Posts. We have the joists in place for the yurt platform and most of a new outhouse built. Our volunteers have also been cutting and skinning many tipi poles to accommodate our increasing enrollment.

We have hired a construction firm to build a new Maintenance Building and are currently working with an architect to fine tune the plans for our new Craft Center.

Choosing to lead

We are very excited about the staff that will be joining us this summer: Creative, talented and strong leaders. In typical Nor'wester fashion many returning staff are reclaiming positions they have held in the past, while others are branching out into new responsibilities. Two schools are vying for top positions in terms of number of staff: At this printing Stanford is contributing 6 and Rhode Island School of Design is providing 7! There is still time for a draw. We are waiting to hear from another Stanford student as this article is being typed.

Returning again

Continuing staff members include: Mollie Montgomery (Program Director), Robin Tatsuda and Jenny McColloch (Head Counselors), Graham Brown and Alex Gates (Camp Operations), Debbie Beecher AKA Debbie Cavender (Nurse Second Session), Adam Brod (Packout), James Reinhardt (Bike Leader), Jaina Davis (Music Director and Special Event Coordinator), and Spencer Smith (Big House Foreman); Malia Helfmeyer , Katy Henriksen , Gianna King , Ingrid Berger , Robyn Anderson , Renata Mann , Andrew Gasson , Rob Lampard , Andrew Lampard , Evan Horvath (who will all be Unit Staff); Sara Mertz (Craftshop Director), Molly Lowe and Emily Hayes (Craftshop), Michelle Morse (Adobe Oven), Pete Flynn (Waterfront Director), Liz McColloch (Assist. Waterfront Director); Nat Miller , Patrick Campbell , Carter McCoy , and Jamie Robertson (will all be Waterfront Staff). As an added bonus we have ten new staff joining us who were past campers: Sam Blake , Wim Laws , Ali Cogan , Marina Lawson , Silas Chapman , Kristi Kucera , and Adam Leonard (all to be Kitchen Staff); Sarah Barthelow , Jeremy Fogel , Elliot Day , and Olin Berger (all will be Unit Staff). This kind of continuity is a hallmark of the Nor'wester staff, fostering tradition while nurturing improvements. We are very fortunate!

Enrollment

Summer by summer our enrollment grows as campers, their siblings and friends return. At this point we are seeking 5 th and 7 th grade girls for First Session. All other units are full or near full. As a result, our enrollment is currently ahead of last year's and we are looking forward to another bustling summer.

Thank you all for your continued support.

We'll see you this summer!

Paul and Christa