Nor'wester has been providing memorable summers for 1000's of kids for over 70 years. Our program is focused on getting outside, living with simple comforts, and doing things that require less technology and more personal effort. Our activities are pretty traditional: arts and crafts, drama, archery, and ropes course, with lots of outdoor things like sailing, kayaking, hiking and overnight camping trips. What we don't have is computers or academics. You don't have to be the smartest, fastest, tallest or coolest to come to Nor'wester. You just have to be willing to leave the cushy life behind for a while, try something out of the ordinary, meet new people and have fun.

Any great camp will provide campers and staff alike with a positive and memorable experience. Our goal is to provide a beautiful setting where campers can learn more about themselves, their strengths and talents. But how we accomplish this is a bit different than many camps today.

We strive to minimize the distractions often found in the 'real-world' and maximize everyone's exposure to a more basic way of living. While not primitive, we are rustic - we use out houses vs. flush toilets, build wood fires to heat water for our showers, live in tipis and tents, learn how to build tarp shelters, dig pit latrines, start one-match fires, give up electronic gadgets, email and the internet. Basically, we 'unplug' for the summer and learn to live without some modern day conveniences and without many distractions of our often times hectic modern life.

Under our ‘Unit System’ campers are grouped according to grade level and they participate in the majority of their activities as a unit. This structure promotes an intensive group living experience. While campers try new activities or improve their skills in familiar areas they are also learning to live together. A good portion of our work is focused on giving support and guidance to our campers through the conflicts and issues that naturally arise out of such an environment. This requires compassionate and competent leadership.

While not unusual on the east coast, our 4-week session is considered long by west coast standards. For us it supports our focus on group living and community. Group development follows a natural progression which can only be fully realized with an extended stay program.