Welcoming New Adventures: Camper Arrival and the First Night
As the sun sets over the waters of the Puget Sound, a buzz of excitement fills the air at Camp Nor’wester. The moment our campers have been eagerly anticipating has arrived—the first night of a new session!
On the morning of arrival day, the majority of campers converge at the airport or a school in Seattle before boarding buses to Anacortes. At an Anacortes marina, more campers arrive and units gather before boarding the boats that will take them to Johns Island.
As soon as the boat lands on the dock, campers are greeted by enthusiastic staff, ready to share in the excitement of the new adventure ahead. After hugs, high-fives, and of course a tunnel of cheering staff, everyone heads towards their new home for the session.
Campers have a moment to visit their living spaces and get to one another before dinner. The first evening meal is always pasta and is a delicious introduction to the camp cuisine. As everyone is finishing dinner, the Waterfront staff zip around the island delivering luggage. The evening is spent settling in, learning the layout of camp, and connecting with friends. Many groups round out their evening with a campfire in the unit and a short reflection.
As the stars twinkle above, our campers join in on campfire songs and share their own tales and laughter. This first night is about building bonds and setting the tone for a session filled with adventure, learning, and friendship.
After the lull of a few quiet nights without campers, the property has come alive with the sounds of laughter and chatter as old friends reconnect and new friends start building memories.
