Dear Parents and Families,
What a treat it is to have your children with us. Our weather has been beautiful and the session is off to a wonderful start. As we all adjust to our newly formed community, powerful things are happening on a daily basis – and our beautiful garden of campers is sprouting and growing in so many ways.
As our mission states:
“Camp Nor’wester provides a unique outdoor living experience where a diverse group of young people is challenged to develop skills that increase self-confidence and encourage respect, responsibility and compassion for themselves, their community and the environment.”
Our aim is to cultivate strong and resilient community members – through group living, learning new skills, nurturing and guidance from our talented staff, and opportunities for challenge – and that is what we will be updating you on throughout the session. Every meal, activity and walk to/from the unit holds an opportunity for an ‘ah-ha moment’ – where the light bulb comes on and new ideas and thoughts are formed.
Each unit was responsible for creating a Code of Living, a living document that reflects the ideals, agreements and ways that the unit wants to live and be together over the course of the session. These guidelines serve many purposes and help keep campers accountable to each other and the staff. Examples of some of the tenets on the Codes include: Be inclusive; Take time to reflect on interactions and if the situation requires, apologize; Be respectful (of opinions & beliefs, privacy, property, camp rules, environment, personal space); Help out (“I would be delighted!”); Listen; Don’t be sassy to staff and campers; Be kind and not grumpy. The Code is an excellent tool for building community and has even been successful when brought into the family dynamic, long after camp is over.
Our program activities are in full force, with waterfront teaching wet exits, the craft shop buzzing with projects galore and potlatch preparation, and the ropes course challenging each unit to work together in new ways. We also have music, drama, archery, outdoor living, adobe, garden, native culture and nature offering creative adventures and life-long learning skills. Island Fair Day is coming up on Friday, so there will be many interesting stories and photos to share in the next post.
And so we continue to plant seeds – treating each other with kindness, showing gratitude, giving to the greater community through service – and that growth is a beautiful thing to witness. We look forward to keeping you posted on our rich crop of campers…they are happy, healthy and basking in the sunshine!
All the Best to You ~
Sheila
