Ways to Help Camp Nor’wester

Thank you for the many ways you support camp!

There are many ways you can support Camp Nor'wester and make a lasting impact on our campers. Donate essential items from our wishlist, volunteer your time and skills during work weekends or summer sessions, consider joining our Advisory Board, and more! Every contribution, big or small, enhances the Nor'wester experience for our campers.

Volunteer

At Camp Nor'wester, alumni and friends have a variety of rewarding volunteer opportunities to reconnect with the camp's vibrant community and contribute to its enduring legacy. From participating in work weekends to help prepare the camp for the summer season to offering your skills and expertise in specific projects, there are numerous ways to get involved. These efforts not only support the camp's operations but also strengthen the bonds within the Nor'wester family, creating lasting memories and fostering a spirit of camaraderie and service.

  • Volunteer work party weekends are held each year once a month in the spring, April through June, and are essential in helping to get our site ready for summer.

    Join us this year:

    • April 11-13, 2025

    • May 16-18, 2025

    • June 6-8, 2025

    In general, we gather Friday night on Johns Island, and discuss plans for the next day. Saturday will be spent working on whatever projects have been chosen for that weekend. Depending on everyone’s schedule, some work may also be done Friday afternoon and Sunday morning.

    Housing is provided and meals are covered Friday night through Sunday lunch. Evenings are often spent touring the site or singing camp songs around the fire in the Lodge, reconnecting with past alumni all the while.

    We have a blast during these events every year. We work on site and program projects, including skinning tipi poles, tipi pitching, clearing units, and generally getting our site ready for the summer.

    If you are interested in participating in a Work Weekend, please contact Operations Director Jill Steigerwald at jill@norwester.org. She will provide more detailed information such as ferry schedule, directions, what to bring, etc. We can take up to roughly 24 volunteers per weekend.

  • Summer Volunteering

    Each summer, a handful of volunteers come to camp during our summer sessions to chip in with ongoing projects or help support a program area. We greatly appreciate the time and effort volunteers are willing to give – many projects at camp just wouldn’t happen without volunteer support.

    In the summer, we can accommodate volunteers at camp for a minimum of four days – that means arriving on Day 1 and departing sometime on Day 4. We have lodging available starting one week after each session begins. Please contact us for specific date options. Please understand that we get several requests each summer and are not always able to accommodate everyone.

    You must be willing to get your hands dirty! Volunteers are assigned to projects during the morning and afternoon “activity” sessions each day you’re at camp. You’re invited to meals in the lodge and to participate in any evening activity that might be happening – dances, skits, capture the flag – or just a walk around the property to enjoy the sunset. We also invite you to join us for Chapel or Musical if you’re at camp on an anchor day.

    Contact Operations Director Jill Steigerwald at jill@norwester.org to inquire about this summer!

  • There are all kinds of projects and efforts that take place outside of the summer season. Nor’wester employs six year-round staff, and they would love your help! Please contact us at Kathleen@norwester.org to find out which ongoing projects could benefit from your time and energy.

  • Nor’wester is fortunate to have an active Board of Directors and an Advisory Board. As an Advisory Board member, you will be expected to support the camp leadership as much as possible when asked – from a quick poll by email, to brainstorming ideas for program or where to hold our next event, all kinds of topics arise that we could use additional perspective on. You may also choose to join an existing Board Committee. Please contact Board Member Elizabeth Bayley, Advisory Liaison, at ecbayley@mac.com.

  • Preserving the Past: Many reels of 8mm film from the Henderson days have been donated to the camp. To preserve these we would like to transfer them to DVD format. We are looking for an alum who would donate time and expertise to this effort. Please contact the Camp office at (425) 670-1935 for details.

Volunteer at camp Nor'wester 4 Group of volunteers
Volunteer at camp Nor'wester 2 Building a tipi
Volunteer at camp Nor'wester 4 work party

Donate Items from our Wishlist

For those alumni and friends who want to contribute to our ongoing program needs, this list is for you! Below are items—not necessarily in order of priority—which we would like to add to the program as soon as we can.

To support these needs, please donate to our Nor’wester Fund, and contact us at kelsey@norwester.org to share your request for which items you’d like to cover with your donation. Thank you for considering making a donation to our program.

    • Plaque installations to share contextual & historical information on property for all art, carvings, totems, and at the Bighouse | All contributions welcome!

    • Putt Putt Whaler engine overhaul | $6,000

    • Small electric power washer | $200

    • Hose reel for steam cleaner | $350

    • Hardware storage trays (6) | $30 each

    • Firefighting tools | $500

    • TreeMaster rigging ropes (2) | $170 each

    • Battery-powered grounds maintenance equipment (chainsaw, leaf blower, trimmer, plus batteries) | $3000

    • Double-stack dryers for Laundry Room | $2800 each

    • Cups for kitchen | $10 each

    • Challenge Course equipment:

      • Access harness | $225

      • New ropes | $150 each

      • Belay device | $35

      • Protective rope storage (4 total) | $30 each

    • Hunt Canoe hull, seat, and paddle repairs | Varying costs

  • To support all campers and staff in having the right gear to be able to participate in our full program, we accept donations of GOOD QUALITY outdoor gear of many kinds: sleeping bags, sleeping pads, hiking boots, camping dishware, headlamps, backpacks, etc.

    Please contact Program Director Harper McFadden at harper@norwester.org, and include photos of the gear items if possible.

    ---

    General camping items – please check with harper@norwester.org before sending anything to us.

    • Sunglasses (polarized preferred)

    • Synthetic Tops & Shorts (Women’s S-L / Men’s M-L)

    • Water shoes - Crocs, Keens, etc. (W 6-10 / M 9-12)

    • 50-70L backpacks (not too big)

    • SOCKS – wool/synthetic hiking/backpacking socks (All sizes)

  • We are happy to take unused craft shop supplies as well as sports equipment, instruments, scientific equipment (for the Nature program), and other program equipment in GOOD CONDITION off your hands. Look in the back of that hall closet or in that bottom drawer for crafty items you no longer have a need for and send them our way. Quality yarns, knitting needles, beads, sparkles, ribbons, pillow stuffing, felt markers—you name it, we’ll put it to good use. The more supplies we have, the more wonderful creations become a reality.

    If you’re purging items between September 1 and May 25, send them to:

    Camp Nor’wester
    PO Box 1055, 303 5th Ave. S, Suite 201
    Edmonds, WA 98020

    During the summer, items should be sent to:

    Camp Nor’wester
    112 Airport Circle
    Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Spread the word and refer a friend!

Want to guarantee Camp Nor’wester’s future? Help us connect with potential families and qualified staff members.

No other type of advertising will have the impact of your personal endorsement when it comes to introducing people to Camp Nor’wester. If you know families or potential staff members who are looking for the opportunities and experiences provided by Nor’wester please use this Refer a Friend form. Once we receive your referral we will correspond with the potential camper family or staff member, letting them know you asked us to send them a packet of information. If a reunion is scheduled for their area, we will also send them an invitation.

Vehicle Donations

Vehicle donations are a unique and impactful giving option that supports Camp.

We partner with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) to assist our donors with vehicle donations. Your unwanted car, truck, boat, motorcycle, SUV or even plane can be accepted as a donation. Your generosity qualifies for a tax deduction, and we’ll do all the heavy lifting. The pick-up is free, and we’ll schedule it during a time that’s convenient for you.

Call 855-550-GIVE or visit CAR’s website to get started.