Annual Fund/Capital Campaign History

The Matching Grant of 2012 – A new Health Center

We received a generous proposal for a matching grant of up to $100,000 in 2012, and our community came through!

We are so thankful for the generosity of so many alumni and friends of camp – as of the summer of 2014, the building is being used to its full potential and definitely meets our needs.

Upgrades include structural code and ADA requirements, providing a refreshed building to house and provide a workspace for our Nurse and respite for campers and staff needing medical care. Also, being fully insulated, the building can be used in the off-season comfortably.

The Point Project – 2006-2009

With broad support from the camp community during the capital campaign, Nor’wester was able to “Get The Point” in June 2009.

The purchase of this 35-acre parcel completed the acquisition of the camp property on Johns Island and allowed Nor’wester to take ownership of its future. We could not be more excited! Thank you to everyone who participated in the “Get the Point” campaign and helped make it such a success.

The Point includes 3,696 feet of spectacular shoreline, with coves, points, and seven beaches. Without the Point, the Camp would be required to reduce camper enrollment and could not continue to be economically viable. The Camp’s programs would also be significantly curtailed. The Point provides overnight camping sites for the younger campers and critical open space for many of the Camp’s daily activities. The Bighouse is also located on this portion of property, as well as most of the Girls’ units. The astounding beauty of Camp Nor’wester is due in great part to the availability of the Point.

Nor’wester’s Achievements – 1997-2006

Camp Nor’wester purchased 97 acres of the Nell Robinson ranch in 1998 with private donations and mortgage financing. Over the next year the Camp constructed a Lodge and kitchen, permanent dock, and additional infrastructure. More program areas have been added over the past decade.

The Camp opened on a limited basis in the summer of 2000 with 75 campers. Since then, the Camp has increased its enrollment every year, reaching its maximum capacity of 340 campers since 2015. Revenue from the Camp’s operations, together with the proceeds of its annual fund, is sufficient to cover operating expenses and monthly payments on its mortgage on the 97 acres.

With these achievements behind it, Nor’wester’s Board of Directors initiated the final phase of the Camp’s business plan—a Capital Campaign to raise funds to acquire the Point in 2006.

Nor’wester’s Legacy 1935 – Present

Camp Nor’wester has proven its worth as campers, staff, family, and friends return year after year and generation after generation for over 80 years. The Camp has contributed to the development of thousands of children by increasing their self-confidence and teaching life skills. Young people learn that taking risks is necessary for achievement and success, and they learn to become active participants in their communities.

Camp Nor’wester gives children and young adults a unique opportunity to grow as individuals and understand that they have a voice and can make a contribution.

Thank you, Nor’wester community, for all your support through the years. We have come from re-organizing as a nonprofit in 1996, through site selection, fund raising, property purchase, designing/engineering, permitting, construction and reopening in 2000, to our 18th summer on the site with a new point parcel to call our own.