History and Traditions at Camp Nor’wester

1935 – San Juan International Camps for Boys and Young Men was established by Frank C. Henderson (Tyee) on San Juan Island’s Westcott Bay, near Roche Harbor. Frank’s dream was to bring boys from the United States and Canada together for a stimulating camping experience, similar to those he had participated in through the Boy Scouts’ International Jamborees. Records show that as many as thirty-three boys enrolled the first year with stays ranging from 2 days to 9 weeks. Three of the campers were veterans of a trip to the Boy Scout Jamboree in Australia led by Tyee the previous winter. The boys lived in tipis and were grouped into three units: Juniors, Midders, and Seniors. Eight regular staff were assisted by a number of visiting volunteer staff.

1936 – Fifty-two boys were enrolled in two 5-week sessions, divided into four units, renamed Tadpoles, Indians, Islanders, and Mountaineers. Mountaineering trips to the Olympics and the acquisition of a few horses provide added activities to hiking, swimming, boating, canoeing, sailing, crafts, and Indian dancing and lore. 16 girls from Witchita Country Day School in Kansas on a "travel tour" were hosted during the summer. In the winter of ’36-’37, Frank opened the San Juan Ski Lodge in a rented building at Snoqualmie Pass. Ski lessons and lodging were offered for boys and girls. Called the Henderson Ski Lodge, this program would continue for 22 seasons.

1937 – Sixty-seven boys enrolled in the program's four units. The Tadpoles were renamed Cavemen. A six week session and a three week session are established. A singing program was added, and a two-week adult camp was offered after the regular season.

1938 – Frank Henderson married Lucile Townsend (Rabbit), former director of Seattle Girl Scouts and Camp Robbinswold. Twelve boys enrolled in a three-week session for diabetic campers.

1939 – The adult camp offered a week-long cruise to Princess Louisa Inlet.

1941 – Enrollment continued to increase, but with war looming and the inception of the draft, staffing was becoming more difficult and Canadian boys' enrollment dropped since funds couldn't be brought into the United States. In January, the Hendersons moved their ski program to a lodge at Snoqualmie Pass purchased from The Bush School.

1942 – Ten girls enrolled in the new North Star Camp for Girls. Together the camps were called the Henderson Camps. The first Olympic Games at the end of First Session and a Potlatch (without Northwest Coast dances) at the end of Second Session were held.

1943 – The first Camp calendar is issued. North Star was divided into Weavers, Archers, and Voyageurs, with about 30 girls enrolled. The Tarzan unit was added between the Cavemen and Indians. Frenchy Houde, described in records as a Blackfoot Chief and with the name Poquastinah, spent time at Camp during this summer.

1944 – There were about 140 campers this year.

1945 – This is the last year of the camp on San Juan Island. When the Hendersons learned their lease on Westcott Bay would not be extended, they began searching for a new campsite. They were lucky to find 310 acres on Lopez Island’s Sperry Peninsula and purchased it. Over the next twenty years the remaining 60 acres of the peninsula were acquired.

1946 – All removable buildings and equipment were barged from San Juan Island to Lopez. A new Lodge and Boys’ Shower House were built of lumber and stone from the property. The historic Kay House, circa 1876, site of Lopez’s first murder in 1882, was rebuilt as Trader Horn. An earthen dam was built at the head of the Great Meadow to enlarge the lake for the main water supply. Names were given to Chapel Rock, Cactus Rock, Hidden Corral, Poker Chip Bay, Madrona Plateau, Mossy Plateau, Sea Parrot Bluff, Octopus Cove, Agate Beach, and Tide Rocks. Bill Holm, who had worked at Camp for five summers starting in 1942 and had served as Archery Instructor, Crafts Instructor, and Unit Leader, returns to staff as the "Indian Program Instructor" this year, following his time serving in WWII. Bill's influence on Camp and especially on Indigenous Education opportunities in the program over the next seven decades have been a very important part of the Nor'wester story. Initially, Bill presented educational opportunities that was mostly Plains/Plateau related, but as Bill increased his experience and contacts with Northwest Coast cultures and communities, offerings at Camp shifted more towards a focus on the Northwest Coast.

1947 – The capture-the-flag course was laid out. Lighting was installed in the main buildings on the property. Names were chosen for Chapel Rock, Madrona Plateau, Mossy Plateay, Rhubarbary Coast, Sea Parrot Bluff, and Old Opry House.

1948 – The Hendersons purchased 12 more acres, including the Stables and Agate Beach. A new Girls' Shower House is built and the old one is incorporated into Trader Horn (the Camp Store).

1949 – The Hendersons purchased 20 acres on Rosario Strait, covering Tide Rocks and Poker Chip Bay.

1950 – 14 more acres were acquired, providing a toe-hold on Octopus Cove.

1951 – Flash, the first wooden Lightning class sailboat, was purchased.

1953 – A saltwater, solar-heated 30′ x 60′ pool was built below the Lodge. A fourth girls’ unit, the Vagabonds, was added between the Archers and Voyageurs. The length of the sessions was changed from 6 weeks and 3 weeks to 5 weeks and 3 weeks. Islanders' Field and tidelands adjacent to the camp property were purchased.

1954 – The Cooks’ Cabin was built. Although it was designed to house the cooks, its main use over the years has been for storage. After a campfire program of Northwest Coast dances on Cactus Rock, Bill mentioned that those dances should be done in a fire-lit Bighouse. Frank suggested he build one, and Bill and Marty took that invitation seriously. After a kayak trip among the Kwakwaka’wakw villages that fall, they designed the house. The posts and beams were carved that winter from trees cut on the property.

1955 –A Kwakwaka’wakw-style Bighouse was built by staff and campers under direction of Bill Holm, and a Potlatch was held there for the first time. During the summer, staff members on time-off in Victoria met Mungo Martin, a Kwakwaka’wakw chief, traditionalist, and artist, while he was carving at the BC Provincial Museum (Royal BC Museum). They mentioned Camp was building a bighouse on Lopez Island. Bill and Marty had met Mungo in the winter of 1953 at the potlatch celebrating the opening of his new Bighouse in Thunderbird Park, but didn’t know him well. After this chance meeting by staff, they went to Victoria to visit him and tell him about the house at Camp. Mungo was immediately interested in the project, and offered to record some songs that could be used in the house. This meeting was the beginning of a deepening friendship with Mungo that lasted until his death in 1962. This relationship was very important to Bill, Marty, and their family, one that has carried through subsequent generations, and has also shaped the story of Camp along the way.

1956 – The Health Center was built. The sessions were changed to 4 weeks each. A second Boys' Shower House was built. Chief Mungo Martin, his wife Abaya, and other members of the Kwakwaka’wakw Tribe, attended the Potlatch for the first time. Mungo told stories, sang songs, and in many other ways participated in the camp activities. Visits by Mungo and his family to participate in the camp potlatch continued until his death just before the 1962 potlatch. During those years the friendship between the Holms and the Martins and their relatives increased, resulting in frequent visits, attendance at numerous potlatches at the Kwakwaka’wakw villages, recording songs, and receiving instruction on Kwakwaka’wakw traditions.

1957 – A hay barn is built. A Haida-style pole, carved by Bill Holm, is raised in the meadow near the Camp entrance.

1958 – Bill Holm carved the canoe Sisiutlamala, a 24-foot Kwakiutl-style sealing canoe. The winter of ’57-’58 was the last season for the Ski Camp at Snoqualmie Pass.

1960 – A new entrance gate was built with eagle and raven gateposts carved by Bill Holm. The eagle was later used as the model for the Nor’wester logo by an unknown staff member. A grand piano was purchased and has been housed in the open air lodge, on Sperry and now Johns, ever since.

1961 – A Kwakwaka’wakw-style welcoming figure, nicknamed “Freddie,” was carved by Bill Holm and raised on Voyageur Point. Saddle Bay (later called Encounter Bay) is acquired for outcamp trips. A Pioneer Outpost camp is established at McArdle Bay.

1962 – The Caretaker's house is built. The Humpspek pole was carved and placed in the Bighouse for dances that year. When Mungo Martin died, Bill and Marty worried that the valued relationship with the Kwakwaka’wakw might end. By that time, however, many Kwakwaka'wakw people had experienced the camp and its potlatch, and they continued to come each summer, bringing their families and participating in the activities. Over those years, many of the highest ranking chiefs of the Kwakwaka’wakw tribes took part in the camp potlatch, traveling down to Lopez from villages clustered around the north end of Vancouver Island.

1963 – A Sisiutl Arch was carved and raised on a new camp float.

1964 – A third Lightning, Thor, was acquired. The overnight site at Watmough Bight was purchased.

1965 – The Sun Pole, carved by Bill Holm, was erected at Encounter Bay, the Henderson’s property on Lopez. 36 years later, this would be moved to the new property on Johns. The last 20-acre parcel of Sperry Peninsula was purchased.

1966 – Frank and Lucile retired and closed the Henderson Camps at the end of the summer after 32 years as owners and directors. A totem pole was carved and raised in front of the Bighouse. Tuition this year was $300 for four weeks.

1967 – The Hendersons sold the property to a group of camp-related families. There was no camp this year, but a staff Potlatch was held in the Bighouse.

1968 – The camp was renamed Camp Nor’wester, and Jack and Jan Helsell were hired as directors. Jack had a long history with Four Winds Camp on Orcas and he brought some of their ideas with him. A new Craft Shop was built, greatly expanding the program. Four C-Lark sailboats were purchased, and the 48-foot sloop Courageous was chartered for extended trips. Bill Holm carved Kwigwatsi, a 35-foot Northern-style canoe. Cavemen and Tarzans became Explorers and Rangers; Archers became Mariners. The Troubadour unit was added for the oldest girls. NOFUSS (Nor’wester Flexible Unit Scheduling System) was created by Marty Holm.

1969 – The wooden Willits canoes were retired and replaced with aluminum canoes. The first Boston Whaler was purchased.

1970 – A new dock was installed at Cactus Rock, and a hand-built stone trail along the shoreline was constructed to provide access. A second Girls’ Shower House was built above the Voyageur unit. A fire on Fortress Rock broke out, called "The Great Fortress Rock Conflagration."

1971 – Armageddon, the incinerator, is installed. Two new fiberglass Lightnings were added.

1972 – Two new units were added: the Wayfarers (between the Voyageurs and Troubadours) and the Pioneers (between the Rangers and Indians). The Lodge was expanded, and a basketball/volleyball court was built. When Edward Curtis’s 1914 film In the Land of the War Canoes was being restored, a missing scene of a body being thrown off a cliff was filmed on Sea Parrott Bluff. New Troubadour tipi sites were blasted out of the hillside above the Voyageur unit.

1973 – Hugh Armstrong, with help from the Troubadours, built the first Adobe Oven using clay from Girls’ Beach. The design was based on an article in Sunset magazine. This would be the precursor to an Adobe Oven program, called Outdoor Cooking today on Johns.

1975 – Draft horses and a horse driving program were added.

1976 – Nor’wester participated in the Lopez Island 4th of July parade for the first time for America's Bicentennial. The camp continued to participate annually, and made up a big part of the parade each year. Younger units dressed up, and the oldest four units danced the Salty Dog Rag as they tagged along behind the musicians riding in Gross (large army truck).

1977 – To accommodate a large number of middle age boys, a short-lived Forester unit was created in the woods between the Indian and Islander units. The Biking program is reinstituted.

1978 – Campers ignite Turtlehead on Orcas Island.

1979 – When it was learned that Sperry Peninsula was again for sale, a “Save the Camp” campaign was organized to raise funds to purchase the property.

1980 – The camp property was purchased by Chuck Curran. At first he agreed to run the camp for one year only, but after his children had been campers, he decided to let the camp continue operating. This was the last summer the Helsells directed camp, after which they retired to their farm on Orcas. This was also the first summer a Drama department was established. The last of the "big" potlatches was held in the summer of 1975, but when the camp property was sold, Bill and Marty and others were worried about the continuation of Camp. They invited Kwakwaka’wakw guests once more and a full-scale potlatch was held in the Bighouse.

1981 – David and Susan Formo were hired as directors.

1982 – The Cooks’ Cabin was expanded. Unit photos were initiated.

1984 – Staff training was lengthened to a full week, and the first staff training manual was created. Lifejackets were required for all campers and staff while on the water, whether or not they had passed the swim test.

1985 – The Weavers, the youngest girls’ unit, was renamed the Archers. The first “Nor’wester Musicale” tape was recorded by Richard Carter and Tim Lamont. A fleet of twleve mountain bikes is purchased.

1986 – Staff who had worked at camp for 5 or more years received Staff Jackets. A summer open house on Sperry Peninsula was held to celebrate the camp’s 50th anniversary. The Camp Operations department formed from the Woodcutter and Janitor/Driver positions. The camp's recylcing program is expanded to minimize waste.

1987 – The infamous “Changeover Day,” when new campers arrived in Anacortes while the old campers were leaving, which required staff to instantly dry their tears and put on a ‘happy face,’ was eliminated and replaced with a 48 hour break between sessions. The new calendar format included the unit photos. This was the last year the camp chartered the Courageous.

1988 – A Ropes and Challenge Course was built.

1989 – This was the last year the Formos directed Camp. The eagle from the camp logo was painted on the bottom of the pool.

1990 – Paul Henriksen and Christa Campbell were hired as directors. Paul had been the camp’s caretaker for many years, and Christa had served as dietician. They worked hard to increase enrollment, which had dropped in recent years. The Nor’wester Advisory Board was formed.

1991 – The Troubadour unit moved to the Great Meadow. A 15-passenger van was purchased.

1992 – An equipment room was added to the Craft Shop. Two more 15-passenger vans were purchased.

1993 – New roofed stalls and a tack room were built at the Stables.

1994 – The movie Free Willy II was filmed on the property in the spring. The Outback unit was established for the oldest girls.

1995 – Enrollment was up to 195 campers each session, divided into 6 boys’ units and 7 girls’ units. There were 90 staff members, 7 Lightnings, 6 C-Larks, 13 canoes, 5 rowboats, 2 Boston Whalers, and 28 horses! A pump was installed to return water to the lake. The Camp Garden was resurrected. Plans were drawn for an addition to the Office. Nor’wester celebrated its 60th camp season with a reunion in September at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Seattle. Not long after, it was announced that Sperry Peninsula was for sale.

1996 – This was the final camp season on Lopez. Despite heroic efforts by a group of hardy volunteers, the sale of the property to Paul Allen was finalized in March and Nor’wester left Sperry on September 15th. After fifty years on Sperry Peninsula, Camp was closed and ceased to exist at the end of the summer. A group of friends of the camp, not willing to let it go, formed a non-profit corporation in May with the goal of establishing Nor’wester on a new and permanent site.

1997 – Camp was closed for three summers while the board of the newly formed non-profit, Henderson-Nor’wester Camp, searched for a new home, and scrambled to raise money. Efforts were focused on securing a new site. Over one hundred locations were assessed. No suitable site was found in the San Juan Islands so the decision was made to acquire 135 acres on Cortes Island in British Columbia.

1998 – When the 132 acre Nell Robinson Ranch on Johns Island in the San Juans became available, the Nor’wester Board of Directors shifted its efforts from Cortes Island and concentrated on acquiring the Johns Island property. For 50 years, Nell had raised sheep on Johns Island, but after her death her family decided to sell. A deal was reached in August and applications for the necessary permits were submitted soon after.

1999 – During the years camp was closed, the board thought long and hard about what aspects of camp were most important. Singing, the Unit System, and the connection with the Kwakwaka’wakw people of Vancouver Island topped the list. And although the camp could have operated elsewhere, there was a sigh of relief when property in the San Juans was found.

A very favorable ruling by the San Juan County Hearing Examiner resulted in the approval of Nor’wester’s Conditional Use and Shoreline Permits. The office, health center, cooks’ quarters and kitchen were barged from Lopez to Johns Island. The old kitchen was used for storage for a number of years and later dismantled.

2000 – Camp reopened on Johns Island with a reduced program for the initial season. There was a 1-week session for 9-12 year olds, a 3-week session for 13-16 year olds, and a 4-week leadership training session, named the Peregrines, for 17-18 year olds. The Indian unit was renamed the Foresters. Total enrollment for the summer was 127 campers. Construction of the shower houses and water system was completed prior to the start of camp, but the office, health center, craft shop, and Lodge were housed in army tents, and the kitchen was in a trailer. The water tank was built, and construction of the new Lodge continued throughout the summer. Kwigwatsi and Sisiutlamala were paddled from Lopez to Johns. Bill Holm, with family and friends, presented a sampling of traditional Northwest Coast dances. A formal dedication of the property was held on August 9th. A Family Camp program was offered at Camp while Big Trip campers were out on trips, and more than fifty people attended a family weekend for alumni.

2001 – Sessions are re-establised as two, four-week sessions. Total enrollment for the summer was 164 campers. The new Lodge is complete. A permanent dock was installed midsummer at Cottonwood Cove, which greatly helped with transportation and daily operations. 12 kayaks were added to the waterfront program. The capture-the-flag course was laid out. The Sun Pole, the only monumental carving to make the trip from Lopez to Johns Island in the move, was raised at its new site. A welcome pole, carved by Bill Holm, was erected below the Lodge and nicknamed “Long John.” Eagle and Raven poles were carved by Calvin Hunt, grandson of Mungo Martin and a talented carver who had attended Camp potlatches with his family as a child and was a camper in 1968. These were reminders of the poles that stood at the entrance to Camp on Sperry, were raised at Cottonwood Cove. The Eagle represents Camp Nor’wester, and the Raven is the crest of the Hunt family. The Raven on the Johns Island Pole has special significance because it is wearing a headdress made of Coppers to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 repeal of the ban on Potlaching in Canada. Calvin and members of his family from Vancouver Island revived the tradition of participating in our Potlatch celebration, performing family dances and songs. A special outcome of Camp's relocation to Johns was Bill & Marty's consistent presence during the summers. This, along with support from other Holm family members and community members, has led to the expansion of programming and education for units in the realm of "Native Cultural Activities".

2002 – A shorter, 12-day session for Explorers and Archers was implemented, as strong enrollment for these ages had been a challenge since starting on Johns. Cedar logs for the house posts of the new Bighouse were donated by Jack and Jan Helsell, and carving began on Lopez. The Ropes course was built. Tent platforms were constructed in the Explorer unit. Explore Nor’wester (Family Camp), an introductory, 4-day session for new families and alumni with younger children, was formalized and held in August after Second Session.

2003 – Tent platforms were built in the Archer unit. Permits for construction of the Bighouse were approved by the County. Site work continued throughout the summer to prepare the area. Carving continued on the four house posts. Calvin Hunt carved a box drum for the Bighouse.

2004 – Construction on the Bighouse continued. The corner posts were erected and the cross beams put in place. Two fiberglass Nuuchah-nulth style canoes designed by Calvin Hunt were donated by the Holm and Charnley families. A 24′ yurt was erected to provide staff with a much-needed R&R site on property. The Auklet, a Parker 2120 enclosed-cabin motor boat, was purchased. A CD of camp songs, performed by a group of staff and campers, was produced.

2005 – The Camp’s 70th anniversary was celebrated in May at Pickering Barn in Issaquah. The Bighouse was completed and dedicated, exactly fifty years after the first Bighouse was built on Sperry. Calvin Hunt gave the house its name: Nawalagwatsi, “Receptacle of Magic.” Calvin Hunt also gifted Camp a beautiful carved oversized spoon. The Maintenance building was built, and the soccer field was leveled. Camp broke even for the first time since relocation, covering all operational expenses. Accreditation was received from the American Camp Association for the first time since leaving Sperry Peninsula. The Board initiated the “Get the Point” Campaign to purchase the 37-acre Point Property which was being leased from a camp alum who stepped up in 1998 when Camp didn't have the money. This tract included the entire North Star side of Camp.

2006 – The Lightning sailboats were overhauled, receiving new masts, riggings, and fittings. With enrollment surpassing 300 for the first time since moving to Johns Island, revenue from enrollment covered not only operational expenses, but also the mortgage payments on the 100 acres purchased in 1998. Calvin Hunt carved a Sisiutl arch to span the stairs at South Beach. The Board of Directors began a Strategic Planning process.

2007 – A new Craft Shop, very similar to the one on Sperry Peninsula, was built in 2007, replacing the army tents that had been used. A Laser and six Picos were added to the sailing fleet.

2009 – The “Get the Point” campaign successfully concluded with the purchase of the 37-acre Point Property. This gave Camp ownership of its entire 132-acre site, although it now had two loans to pay off. A new 15-passenger van was purchased. John Livingston (Kwakwaka'wakw carver and friend of Bill and Marty) carved bear and raven staffs for the teams at Potlatch Games and gifted them to Camp.

2010 – A new adobe oven was built from cinder blocks and finished with stones from the island. The Nor’wester logo's eagle sprouted feet and a tail for the first time, thanks to Bill Holm. Another new 15-passenger van is purchased. The first annual Camp Nor’wester Online Auction was held. A Woodsmen unit for male 10 year-olds was again arranged for both sessions due to the large number of Explorers enrolled. When Paul and Christa announced their plan to retire following the summer of 2011, after 21 years as Directors, the Board began the search for new leadership.

2011 – A falling tree near the Maintenance Building crushed Kwigwatsi (the northern-style canoe carved by Bill Holm in 1968) beyond repair while being stored near the Maintenance Building. Bill Holm and friends began immediate planning for the carving of a new canoe, beginning with finding a large enough log. Calvin Hunt gifted a “Chief’s Settee” for use in the Bighouse. The first composting toilet was completed behind the Lodge. The pig barn was rebuilt. A Weavers unit for female 10-year olds was arranged for Second Session due to the large number of Archers enrolled. The Board's search for the next Executive Director included a week-long visit by final candidates during the summer.

2012 – After an extensive search, the Board named Sheila Tallmon as Executive Director beginning in January. She had worked for many years at the Cheley camps in Colorado. Sheila hired Assistant Director Jill Steigerwald, a veteran of three years at Nor’wester. The Vehicle Storage Unit (VSU) was constructed. Carving of a new canoe began in the summer under the direction of Bill Holm and lead carver, Steve Brown. Kaleb Child, Calvin Hunt's nephew, spent part of Second Session at Camp, supporting Native Cultural programming with the Holm Family. Kaleb would spend the majority of Second Session at Camp for the next several seasons while his children were campers.

2013 – Shaun Peterson (Puyallup) painted the Wolves on the south wall of the Craft Shop. Raised beds were added at the garden. An extensive renovation effort was started on the Health Center and continued through the following year. The building was enlarged, put on new foundations, and upgraded to current building codes. The summer seasonal leadership structure, which had shifted somewhat over the decades since the Hendersons and included a Program Director and a Head Counselor or two, was expanded to include a Program Director, Trip Coordinator, Scheduler, and two Head Counselors. Gloria Roze, Calvin Hunt's sister, spent two weeks at Camp First Session teaching campers about Kwagiutl regalia with special offerings at the Craft Shop.

2014 – Four new Lightning sailboats were purchased to replace the camp’s aging fleet and saw their first voyage during First Session Big Trips. Shaun Peterson painted the welcome figure on the north side of the Craft Shop. The Berhow family designed and built the Madrona Theater. Gloria Roze spent another week at Camp during First Session as an Educator-In Residence. Tommy Child, Calvin's nephew, spent part of Second Session at Camp alonside his brother Kaleb. He supported activities in the realm of Indigenous education, and would continue to do so for several seasons while his children were campers.

2015 – Camp was fully enrolled (340 campers) for the first time since relocating to Johns Island, and continued through 2019. The Camp acquired a Gator for Camp Operations. A new platform tent structure was built for visitor housing and permanent cubbies were installed in each shower house. Construction began on a new deck structure on the west side of the Lodge that will house a donor recognition display. A storage shed for waterfront equipment was built near Mission Point. The Camp’s 80-Year anniversary was celebrated with special events: A gathering at the Zahn Center in Everett in April, and a celebration on Johns Island over Labor Day weekend. Over 300 alumni joined in the celebrations.

2017 – The four-week session for 9-10 year-olds was reinstated. A 28′ climbing wall was donated the previous year and construction of the new program area was completed in time for summer. The new office construction began and the building was used unfinished for the first time in the summer season! Camp's Year-Round staff, which had included two Directors, an Office Administrator, and a Caretaker, expanded to include a Development and Communications position (now the Community Engagement Director).

2018 – The office was officially completed and all spaces were used to their fullest extent for the summer season! Also in the spring, the Board approved the payoff of the last mortgage, which means the camp now owns all the property outright and has no outstanding debt. The Kingfisher, a 30' landing craft, was purchased. Camp took intentional steps in its enrollment process this year to offer unit placement based on gender identity. The Shower Houses were called "San Juan" and North "Star" rather than "Boys'" and Girls'". Following suit, the "sides" of Camp were referenced as "San Juan" and "North Star" as well. During the summer, Steve Brown completed Gwawina’dzi (Raven’s Nest), a 33′ wooden dugout canoe, on property and took it to the water for sea trials on Visitors’ Weekend of Second Session. Additionally, a 32′ totem pole, donated and carved by Calvin Hunt, was lifted and set in front of the lodge, honoring the Hunt family’s relationship with the Holms and Camp over the years.

2019 – 20 summers of Camp on Johns Island! Enrollment reached full capacity for the fifth year in a row. Working groups for a new Boat Barn/Storage Facility and Trader Horn were formed. Camp established an Indigenous Campership Award as part of its Financial Aid Program. The name "Potlatch Games" was replaced following input from Kwagiutl campers. A staff member came up with "Cascade Games" as a humorous nod to "Olympic Games" being the name for First Session and the Cascade and Olympic Ranges framing the views from the San Juan Islands. A Grounds & Facilities Assistant position was added to the Year-Round Team.

2020 – Celebrating 85 Years! Nor’wester’s Virtual Engagement Program took the place of in-person camp sessions on Johns Island due to mandated closure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A virtual reunion event was held in August to celebrate camp’s 85th year.

2021 – Successful in-person camp sessions resumed on Johns Island with preventative measures in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The Boat Barn facility was used for its first season. The oldest two units, Troubadours and Mountaineers, were split into two units each, adding the Navigator and Pathfinder units for 15 year-olds. Camp's first Indigenous Campership was awarded. In the fall, The Board votes to move away from tipis as the primary lodging structure for the summer program. Bell Tents are introduced as an alternative lodging option.

2022 – Air Domes are introduced as an alternative lodging option for the summer program. Two transit vans were purchased. While female Unit Leaders had been placed with Explorer units frequently over the years and with the Ranger unit a few times, and while some female department staff had lived in San Juan Side units in the past, Camp leadership placed female and femme Unit Leaders with older units on the San Juan side units in 2021 for the first time. This was in part due to demgraphic shifts in staffing, and was also intentionally facilitated following both industry trends and a desire to balance the influence of young adult role models for campers in the program. Canoe families from the All Nations Paddles Up journey stopped over on WTAEMEN/Johns Island for a night during their paddle to Orcas during Changeover, starting a new connection between Camp and two elders and educators, Ron Snyder (Haida) and Cathy Taggett (Tlingit). In the fall, Sheila announced that 2023 would be her last summer with Nor’wester. A search process began for Camp’s next Executive Director. Construction began on the Henderson Commons project, which would house the new Camp Store (formerly Trader Horn) and Camp's Historical Archives.

2023 – A full-time Program Director position was added to the Year-Round Team. A Language Immersion Program for WSANEC School and Whatcom Intergenerational High School students was held on property in the spring. Camp establishes a Camper Voice Council. Some male Unit Leaders were assigned to a few North Star units for the first time. Ron and Cathy spent a week at Camp as educators-in-residence during First Session, and the Holm and Hunt families visited at the end of Second Session for the first time since 2019. Sheila had a very memorable final summer, full of celebration and appreciation. Construction continued on the Henderson Commons project. After the summer, the Board announced that Meaghan Baumgartner would start as Nor’wester’s Executive Director in October.

2024 – 25 years of Nor’wester on Johns Island!!! Camp celebrated with a special picnic on the lawn for each session. Haandei I Jin visited Camp during First Session with Ron & Cathy, and performed Tlingit dances for the first time. Calvin Hunt gifted Camp a carving inpired by a photo of Bill Holm from the 60s, and it was commemorated in a ceremony during their visit at the end of Second Session. It was nicknamed "Little Singing Man." Construction continued on the Henderson Commons project.

2025 - 90th Anniversary Year! Celebratory events included a reunion in Seattle at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center and an alumni program on Johns Island over Labor Day Weekend. Camp's Year-Round Team was restructured, morphing the Assistant/Operations Director and Program Director positions into two co-Camp Director positions. This would be Jill Steigerwald's final summer on the Year-Round Team. Camp roads were named in a mapping process initiated by San Juan County.