Unit Overnights
All campers participate in overnight trips away from their unit each week in our regular sessions – there are three scheduled overnights per four-week session. These outings provide an important opportunity for campers to build comfort in the outdoors – eating, sleeping, exploring, and appreciating. As a unit, the group learns and practices fire-building, knife use, tarp shelter building, and open fire and stove cooking skills, under the umbrella of general Leave No Trace practices. Destinations include hidden coves, windswept beaches, forested hilltops, and secluded meadows on the island and on nearby islands. Transportation is mainly by foot, canoe, kayak or bike.
The overnight schedule is designed to create “graduated” opportunities for units. For example, youngers units will travel mostly to on-site locations, packing up their backpacks and hiking out to a spot on property. Middle units will spend at least one of their overnights off-property, canoeing, kayaking or biking to their destination which could include a state our county campground or a private property location open to us by permission from a friend or alumni of camp.
Our two oldest units each have one two-night overnight trip, spending time either learning climbing techniques at Mt. Erie near Anacortes or on a service trip to Lopez Island working with the Lopez Community Land Trust. As the camper ages, the level of “challenge” for these overnight trips increases, providing more opportunities for growth and learning new skills. The schedule is mostly pre-determined to allow for this graduated experience.
With the help of staff members, the campers get involved with planning their menus for these outings, as well as learning skills specific to their outings like safety procedures for different boats or training specific to our bike fleet. These outings provide a hands-on opportunity for everyone to practice and improve low-impact camping techniques, as well as experience what it’s like to “sleep-out” under the stars if weather permits. Overnights are also usually central to team-building and bonding within the unit.
Big and Little Big Trips
Starting at age 13/7th grade (those campers enrolled in Forester & Voyageur units), our program offers several outcamp trips of 4-5 days. Trips are built around activities such as sailing, canoeing, kayaking, biking, backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and service-learning. These trips provide many chances for leadership and skill-building amongst participants, intentionally led and supported by staff who are prepared to facilitate an incredible experience.
These trips are not optional – all campers ages 13+ participate in a trip during their four-weeks at camp as an essential part of the Nor’wester experience. There will be challenges – physical and mental/emotional – that happen on each trip, each session. That is what we’re after – opportunities for campers to build resilience and to discover more about themselves in a different environment than main camp, where, especially after being at camp for multiple summers, they feel safe and protected. Trips are a managed-risk opportunity, and one unique in the camping world in many ways too.
Big trips are one of the highlights of the Nor’wester experience. These trips provide each camper with a unique experience, different than everyone else in their unit, and they return to camp excited and invigorated to cherish their final weeks with their unit mates.
All trips are led by a camp staff with experience and trained in skills specific to the trip, and at least two additional staff members are assigned to support the trip as well. The Mt. Baker and climbing trips are led by a professional mountain guide.
All equipment specific to the trip is provided by camp, and campers of a trip-age are encouraged to pack basic camping gear like sturdy shoes, a sleeping bag and pad, synthetic clothes for layering and a hiking backpack . Camp can provide any gear a camper may need.
Trip selection is based on many factors. Campers and parents together will be asked to complete a Trip Pick form ahead of arrival at camp. It is very important that campers and parents complete this form together as it collects both camper choices and parent permission for trips, along with an open comment box to describe any relevant physical health situations that should affect a camper’s placement. All campers will also need to be approved by our Health Center staff for participation once they arrive at camp. Trip assignments are usually shared with campers during their first week at camp, after which they have regular trip meetings with their leaders and make initial preparations. 
Each summer our Trip Coordinator works hard to make assignments considering a camper’s preference, creating a solid group of campers who will work well together, which trips a camper may have been on in past summers, and how many eligible years a camper has remaining. We cannot guarantee a camper will be placed on a particular trip – a huge part of the experience is about learning new skills and providing a safe space for challenge. We aim to provide as much of a meaningful growth opportunity as possible for each camper in our program.