A Day of Thankfulness!

Dear Camp Westwind Family,

I wanted to stop and take a moment to let you know how thankful the ywca and Camp Westwind are for each of you!
I hope that you have each had a lovely day full of family, friends and food!
We are in the process of updating the website so keep checking it!
http://www.ywca-pdx.org/campwestwind/index.html
The registration dates and information are posted!
Thanks again for giving us the chance to serve you and your children!

Thankful,
Janette "Pickle"

Yummy Moroccan Stew recipe from Wine Down that ya'll have been asking for!

Many of you have been asking for the Moroccan Stew recipe that we served at Wine Down so here it is!
Thanks to Sassy for making the delicious dish and for providing the recipe!
It's a great dish for a cold and blustry November day!


Moroccan Stew (Vegan and Gluten Free)

1/3 cup Oil
3 cups Onion, diced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Turmeric
½ tsp Cinnamon
¼ tsp Cayenne
½ tsp Paprika
1 cup Carrots, lg dice
4 cups Yams, lg dice
3 cups Eggplant, lg dice
1 Red Bell Pepper, lg dice
4 cups Zucchini, Yellow Squash, lg dice
2 Tomatoes, lg dice (or 1 can diced tomatoes, reserve the juice)
1 can Garbanzo Beans
1 Pinch Saffron
1 cup Raisins
Liquid as necessary (use the reserved tomato juice, V8, or water)
Chopped Parsley to garnish

Sweat the onions, add garlic until fragrant, add spices until fragrant. Add each vegetable, one at a time and briefly sauté between each addition. Add the beans, saffron, raisins and liquid (not too much liquid, this should be a thick stew!). Serve with couscous (not Gluten Free) or rice.

Summer 2012

I can't believe the winter hasn't even set in and here I am planning for summer camp. Today Sassy and I finally took the lost and found to the Goodwill and when I dumped the final container into the big donation bin sand covered the top of it and I couldn't help but smiling as I apologized to the worker.

Camp is the gift that keeps on giving. I am not just talking about the sand that comes pouring out or sticks under your fingernails when you put your hands in your pockets six months after you were at camp. I am talking about the camp songs that come to you at random times, the confidence you see in your child in this new school year and ability to make friends a bit easier. I am talking about the feeling you get when you see someone else that is wearing something that says "Camp Westwind" out in public and you want to give them a big hug like they are long lost family (because they are family!).

Even though we haven't even had our first frost, we think to warmer days frolicking in the fountains at day camp in the city, building sandcastles and kayaking at the beach or maybe even white water rafting during travel camp. Will you be there? There are camps for everyone of every age. Mother child camp, Father Child camp, CampOUT family camp for the LGBTQ community, youth camps, Teen Leadership camps, day camps with amazing themes, travel camp, volunteering at camp-there really is something for everyone!

So, as you look forward to the winter season, don't forget that camp is right around the corner! Registration will be opening the first week of December! New registration dates are posted on the website: http://www.ywca-pdx.org/programs/program.html Just think, you could give the gift of camp! You could even purchase a camp hoodie or t-shirt or finger lights to keep the camp memories fresh for a bit longer!

Want to get involved before camp happens? We are looking for people who are passionate about Camp Westwind and want to see it keep thriving to join our "Friends of Camp" advisory committee. Email me if you want more information: janettek@ywcapdx.org

Fondly,
Janette "Pickle"

Follow Up to State of Camp Address

If you would like the notes and handouts from the State of Camp address, please email me: janettek@ywcapdx.org
Thank you.

State of Camp Address

Just a reminder that tomorrow Thursday October 13th is the State of Camp Address at the ywca building 1111 SW 10th Avenue in the 3rd floor conference room. Come hear about what is happening with camp, the future of camp and how you can be involved.
See you there!
Janette "Pickle"

Day 2 of Wine Down at Westwind!

What a day! Waking up this morning to blue skies and the sun in the air was a treat after all of the drizzly rain yesterday!
There has been plenty of wine during the wine tasting, happy hour and dinner.
The kids loved making the desserts for their parents: apple and pumpkin pie were enjoyed by all (some before they even got cooked!).
Today is sure to be a lovely day with the kayaks out in the water, candle making in mini pumpkins and amazing food (I can smell the bread pudding baking or maybe it's the homemade brandy sauce). You won't want to miss this weekend next year!

Wine Down at Camp Westwind!

Come to Camp Westwind on October 7-9 for an amazing weekend packed full of activities for everyone!
All are invited-individuals, couples, families, friends or get a group together and book a whole cabin! The site at Westwind on the Oregon coast is not to be missed no matter what the weather is!
The weekend will be full of the traditional camp activities like crafts, hiking, kayaking, playing at the beach, campfire PLUS wine tasting, football live streamed in our comfy couch filled lounge, pumpkin candles and more!
Saturday will be filled with more of the same and will wrap up with a fall family carnival with apple bobbing, ring toss to win bottles of wine, pumpkin seed shooting, dancing and hot cider!
Sunday will be packing up, enjoying brunch and then strolling along the trail to the river to say goodbye to new and old friends as you barge back to your cars.

The food menu is not to be missed and promises to be amazing! Massage therapist will be there to make sure you are taking care of yourself, summer staff will be there to sing the songs we all love and lead activities and babysitters will be on hand to help with your children and give you time to relax as well!
For more information email westwind@ywcapdx.org or to register go to www.ywca-pdx.org
Spots are filling quickly!