Volunteer work party weekends are held each year once a month in the spring, April through June, and are essential in helping to get our site ready for summer.

Join us this year:

• April 17-19, 2026

• May 15-17, 2026

• June 5-7, 2026

In general, we gather Friday night on Johns Island, and discuss plans for the next day. Saturday will be spent working on whatever projects have been chosen for that weekend. Depending on everyone’s schedule, some work may also be done Friday afternoon and Sunday morning.

Housing is provided and meals are covered Friday night through Sunday lunch. Evenings are often spent touring the site or singing camp songs around the fire in the Lodge, reconnecting with past alumni all the while.

We have a blast during these events every year. We work on site and program projects, including skinning tipi poles, tipi pitching, clearing units, and generally getting our site ready for the summer.

If you are interested in volunteering at a Work Weekend please complete the Work Weekend Interest Form. We will follow up with confirmation.

If you have any questions, please contact Kelsey@norwester.org.

We can take up to roughly 24 volunteers per weekend.

Summer Volunteering

Each summer, a handful of volunteers come to camp during our summer sessions to chip in with ongoing projects or help support a program area. We greatly appreciate the time and effort volunteers are willing to give – many projects at camp just wouldn’t happen without volunteer support.

In the summer, we can accommodate volunteers at camp for a minimum of four days – that means arriving on Day 1 and departing sometime on Day 4. We have lodging available starting one week after each session begins. Please contact us for specific date options. Please understand that we get several requests each summer and are not always able to accommodate everyone.

You must be willing to get your hands dirty! Volunteers are assigned to projects during the morning and afternoon “activity” sessions each day you’re at camp. You’re invited to meals in the lodge and to participate in any evening activity that might be happening – dances, skits, capture the flag – or just a walk around the property to enjoy the sunset. We also invite you to join us for Chapel or Musical if you’re at camp on an anchor day.

Contact Community Engagement Director Kelsey McFadden at kelsey@norwester.org to inquire about this summer!

There are all kinds of projects and efforts that take place outside of the summer season. Nor’wester employs six year-round staff, and they would love your help! Please contact us at Kathleen@norwester.org to find out which ongoing projects could benefit from your time and energy.

Nor’wester is fortunate to have an active Board of Directors and an Advisory Board. As an Advisory Board member, you will be expected to support the camp leadership as much as possible when asked – from a quick poll by email, to brainstorming ideas for program or where to hold our next event, all kinds of topics arise that we could use additional perspective on. You may also choose to join an existing Board Committee. Please contact Board Member Hillary Day at hillarydaypdx@gmail.com.