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