It’s hard to believe, but summer is winding down in the San Juan Islands. The days are growing shorter, green leaves are darkening to shades of red and orange, and there’s a slight chill in the air that wasn’t there a week ago. Even as bright sunshine still warms the shores of Johns Island, our minds are shifting towards the coming autumn season.
Family Campers enjoyed tidepooling with our staff naturalist.
However, the last week of August holds one final gem before the summer ends. After our Second Session campers leave and before camp closes for the fall, we welcome prospective campers and their families to a short, four-day session known officially as Explore Nor’wester – and affectionately as “Family Camp.” Family Campers have the opportunity to live in tipis, participate in activities at the waterfront, craft shop, and ropes course, eat and sing together in the Lodge, partake in campfire skits, dances, and Musicale, and get a sense of what being a Nor’wester camper is like.
Tie-dying at the Craft Shop was a hit with Family Campers of all ages!
This year, 25 families joined us for Family Camp. It was a fun and memorable time for all of us, staff and families alike, as we got to know one another, shared camp traditions, and lived in community. By the end of the four days, several of our young campers were eager to sign up for a full session of camp!
Ropes course activities, supervised by our trained staff, were also popular program options during Family Camp.
Despite its brevity, we’re grateful for the time we got to share with our Family Camp families. The experience of introducing newcomers and reacquainting old friends with Johns Island and camp traditions was truly special. It also offered us many opportunities to reflect with gratitude on all of the remarkable things that have happened at camp this summer and all of the wonderful people who have played a part in it.
What a fantastic summer it’s been! And how very grateful we are to everyone who has contributed to the Summer 2018 experience and helped to make another magical Nor’wester summer. Thank you all!