Last Friday I sat staring at my computer waiting needing to write the Friday Camp news to tell about how amazing Camp Westwind is and of all the new and exciting camps especially for teens that we have for this coming summer and how registrations are filling quickly but I just sat like many of you seeing before me the horror unfold of the latest shootings.

I wanted to remind people that if they are struggling financially that we have financial assistance and this year we are excited to have an even greater amount to award thanks to grants and that they can apply now and not wait but how do I offer to alleviate financial burdens when there are parents with heavier burdens happening before my eyes.

Without the ability to even put thoughts together to write about camp I pushed it aside hoping it would get easier.  I don’t think it will get easier but what I do know is that camp is a safe place where staff and campers alike feel valued, gain confidence, build friendships and see the worth that they have in a greater community. See the outcomes table at the end of this email and you can read what people are saying Camp Westwind does for their camper and their families.

Why not take this time to reevaluate how we are invested in our children’s lives? Are we experiencing life first hand by going to camp and enjoying a session of Mother Child or Father Child with our children and building lasting memories, putting in precious time with them and gaining a stronger relationship or are we experiencing life second hand by reading about their lives on their Twitter feed or Facebook status or by texting with them? Why not step away from the technology and onto the sand where you can sing songs, laugh, kayak and enjoy life together-first hand?! Why not send your youth or teen to one of our amazing  six sessions of camp?

I was sitting with a camp applicant doing her interview on Sunday night and she was talking about the value of camp for a camper. She stated that after the shootings last week it left her longing for a week at camp where she knew she could be surrounded by loving and caring friends and young adults that would talk and process with her, where they could all laugh and play and be carefree. Camp Westwind is a place anyone can come and where the only expectation is to be whoever you are and to know that is more than enough.

So this holiday season consider giving the gift of camp to your camper, your family, your grandchild or your neighbor. Registration is now open for all camps!

Peace on earth.

Janette “Pickle” Kunkel and Sarah “Sassy” Keplinger

PS: Don’t forget, if you register before January 1 you get last year’s prices!! 

PSS: Please make sure you add westwind@ywcapdx.org to your safe email list as many of you keep missing out on the happenings at camp due to your filters.

Laura "Platy" & Norah "Bagira" get excited about Travel Camp!

The following is a beautiful reflection from the mother of Laura "Platy".  Laura has been on staff at Camp Westwind over the last 6 years.  She is a beautiful and passionate woman and we are blessed to have her be part of our camp family.  She recently helped in singing and playing her guitar for the amazing Camp Westwind CD that is for sale through our camp store and entertaining us at the 75 of years of Camp celebration.  We are thrilled to be welcoming Platy back this summer working on our Teen Specialty programs; Travel Camp, Wilderness Camp and Camp In Action!

Registration is now open for all camps and if you are inspired by Linda's story below, send the link on to others looking for a summer camp!

*Interested in being a guest blogger? Send your story to: janettek@ywcapdx.org 

A Mom’s Perspective: A Love Letter to Camp Westwind

When my daughter, Laura, was 8 years old, she learned about Camp Westwind from her friend, Rose, whose older brothers had attended for several years.  Laura and Rose made a plan to attend the same session that summer and applied together, excitedly looking forward to camp.  And Laura was thrilled that she had Rose to show her the ropes! 

Her father and I drove Laura to the parking lot where she boarded the bus, giving us a last hug.  I drove away waving at her little face smooshed up against the bus window.  We were puzzled that we hadn’t seen Rose yet, but we both had to leave and get back to work.

It was only when we saw Laura after her week at camp that we learned that not only was Rose not on the same bus, but Rose and Laura hadn’t been placed in the same cabin!  Horrors!  And Laura had cried half way to the coast after we drove away.  How to break a mom’s heart…

It turns out that Laura’s first experience at Camp Westwind was the beginning of a true love affair for the outdoors, kids, adventure—and Westwind.  Laura is now 22 years old and has been at the camp almost every summer as a camper and then on staff as a youth counselor.  She has an exuberance for life, is a natural leader, and loves kids.  Although she comes by these attributes naturally, I believe that Westwind was the safe and sacred place where she blossomed and realized her love for nature and kids—and where she knew she had much to offer in life as an inspired leader.

Camp Westwind is where Laura fondly known as “Platy” to campers has become adept at working with a diverse mix of children and where she has had to hone her diplomatic, creative and leadership skills to be effective in guiding, motivating and supporting kids toward a positive camp experience.  Camp Westwind is where Laura has been physically challenged to be strong and persevere in getting the job done through exhaustion—and in rain or shine. This is where she has developed her dedicated work ethic.

Camp Westwind is where Laura learned about true teamwork with her peers; she matured through the process of working hard with a wide array of personalities and viewpoints. And Camp Westwind is where Laura has made lifelong friendships with these kindred souls.  Camp Westwind is where Laura has shared her amazing gift of music and where she has been able to be her most complete self.  Camp Westwind is where Laura has felt the most fully alive.

Camp Westwind is the place Laura grieved her father’s death and the place where she’s found the most healing.

Many years ago, Rose’s brother, Will, wrote the now-beloved Camp Westwind anthem that is always sung at campfires by camp and staff.  The main lyric is “Westwind moves in me.”  I know Westwind moves in Laura—and certainly moves in her grateful mother.

--Linda

Summer Camp Registration opens in just two days!

Oh the weather outside is frightful but summer camp is so delightful, there's no other place to go...
Don't miss out on Camp Westwind this summer!
A great way to kick off the holidays-give the gift of camp and register for a session at Camp Westwind this summer-it's the gift that keeps on giving!

Register in the month of December and get last years prices! 

For the session dates and information go to: 
http://ywcapdx.org/what-we-do/camp-programs/camp-sessions/

Registration Dates are as follows:

• Century Partners (monthly donors) Monday 12/3 from 7am to 5pm PST
• General Public Tuesday 12/4 7am PST

The financial assistance forms are updated and posted on the website and are being accepted at any time.

Emails have gone out and and we are finding that many of your emails are blocking camp emails through your spam filters. We are working on getting this fixed.

Can't wait to see you at the beach!

Have you ever had a birthday party or any party for that matter and made all the preparations, sent out the invitations, ordered the food, planned the entertainment and then the day before feared no one was going to show up? That is how I was feeling last Thursday night.  When 6pm on Friday rolled around I was thankful to see many people showing up for the Camp Westwind Birthday Celebration. 

There were around 200 people gathered in the gym at the ywca building downtown.  200 people that love and care about Camp Westwind.  We sang camp songs, ate food, listened to campers share their stories, made s'mores in a fountain of chocolate, connected with old friends, made new ones, danced and some even stayed long enough for the karaoke!

What next? Wind Down at Camp Westwind weekend September 28-30. Come to Camp with your family, friends or just alone and enjoy fall on the beach, wine tasting,singing, campfire and make a real s'more with us! This is the last chance to get a little Camp Westwind in before the winter sets in-the last dose before summer! Register through the ywca website: www.ywcapdx.org

Come Wind Down with us as we gear up for planning your 2013 camp season!

Janette "Pickle"
janettek@ywcapdx.org

PS If you didn't get a chance to give a birthday gift to camp and still would like to email me-we have a list of items we need and we always appreciate donations towards our scholarship fund!

Session 5 Day 4

Another wonderful day here at the beach!  The sun has been shining and it has been pretty warm, with a bit of a breeze. 


As I'm writing this, I'm listening to the Alpine girls singing and watching the dance while they sweep.  Did you know that campers don't quite mind sweeping  when they have music to dance to? It makes sweeping a lot better for them! 


During this gorgeous day today, campers came back from their overnights and unpacked their stuff. Some cabins went to the beach, while others showered.  


Sherwood went down to the challenge course and had some really good cabin breakthroughs! 


Alpine did a photo scavenger hunt, and the boys are making dinner for themselves.  


Some cabins are going on ANOTHER overnight tonight (they loved their first one so much)!


Teen Lead 1's learned some improv this afternoon as well as planned campfire. While the Teen Lead 2's planned the all camp (tomorrow), hung out in the art palace, had a value session, and are getting ready to do a camp "practicum" - that is putting all the skills they've learned the last two days together to solve problems. 


Right now, campers are getting ready to play Capture the Flag in the dune grass, while the sun begins to go down. Other campers (Highlands are having a Spa Party, making pudgy pies, cookies, oatmeal masks and other fun). 


'Til tomorrow! Have a wonderful evening!

Session 5, Day 2

Wow, I can't believe that this is our last Youth session of the summer!  Summer has flown by so quickly, and this session seems to be doing that as well!

After campers arrived yesterday, they had loads of time to get to know each other, stop at the barn for activities, check in with the nurses, tour camp, play on the beach, take cabin photos, learn the rules of camp, take an all camp photo, attend  flag, eat dinner, dessert, campfire, and a blacklight party!

If that doesn't sound busy enough, let's talk about today!

Before breakfast this morning, the Teen 2's grabbed the kayaks and headed up river to Otis Café.  After their breakfast, they jumped in a couple cars to head to BB Camp in Lincoln City to do their high ropes course.  (Pictures will follow, but the camera is dead now...)

The rest of the units spent their morning participating in different interest groups.  This weeks interest groups include: creating bridges, dancing, nature outings, kayaking, and more! After lunch, Teen Lead 1's and Interns headed out to their overnights. Teen Leads will be back in 2 days.  Sherwood spent time with Toast! doing nature activities, then headed to the Estuary for some river aquatic fun.  Alpine had an afternoon of awesomeness! And Highlands had some beach time, cabin time, and fun around camp.

We just finished the Talent Show, which was amazing.  Everyone that participated received standing "O's!"  We had dancing, singing, and skits.

Right now, everyone is on the beach having an EPIC beach party while the sunsets. It s a complete party with elimination, music, dancing, pudgy pies, predator & prey, and more!

Session 4 Last day

Good Morning!  

I can't believe Session 4 is at a close!  Campers are downstairs packing up their belongings, putting them in the tractor, and getting their buffet breakfast, while enjoying the last bit of life on the beach.  

Yesterday was a fun filled busy day that ended with a very nice campfire. It was a great end to this wonderful week.  

As we say goodbye to Session 4, we are preparing for Session 5's campers tomorrow!   There are only 2 more sessions left!