What is the Westwind Stewardship Group
In 2004 a group of people with a deep and storied love of Westwind formed the Westwind Stewardship Group (WSG). The founders were YWCA Camp Westwind alumni, long-term rental guests, volunteers, and close friends of Westwind programs and lands. This group, who formed our initial board, was dedicated to conserving Westwind so future generations could walk its sandy beaches, explore its wild forests, and learn from the wisdom of nature.
The WSG purchased the Westwind property in 2006 from the YWCA of Portland. Initially, they focused on year-round conservation and management of the Westwind property. This meant providing more resources to our site manager, engaging in conservation initiatives, and increasing environmental learning opportunities.
In 2014, the WSG began operating all programming on the site, taking ownership of camp programming from the YWCA. This transition meant that the WSG imbued the legacy of social justice with a dedication to conservation and environmental education. This transition allowed for exciting new opportunities like Mushroom Camp, our Earth Day celebration, and dedicated staff to lead nature-based programming at our youth camps.
Today, the Westwind Stewardship Group is a registered non-profit governed by our incredible volunteer Board of Stewards. The WSG is exceptionally grateful for the hundreds of donors, volunteers, and community members who contribute time and resources to Westwind.
Financial Stability
The YWCA of Greater Portland ran Westwind’s first camp in 1937. For 65 years, the YWCA stewarded Westwind. It provided a place for children across Oregon to learn from nature and build community. The YWCA has always been a leader in social justice. At Westwind, the YWCA made camp a place where all people could come together to learn, play, and make connections. Camp Westwind was one of the first camps in the nation to integrate and we promoted bold new camp programs to support single-parent and queer families.
However, funding was always a struggle for Camp Westwind under the YWCA. Former Camp Director Mac notes, there were many years where it was uncertain if Westwind would be able to run summer camp. In the 1990s it even became so uncertain that the YWCA explored the option of selling Westwind.
The WSG was formed with the explicit goal of providing financial stability to Westwind so that future generations will always be able to access the land and the community. The WSG brought stability and year-round focus to the Westwind property, allowing us to better maintain and conserve Westwind.
A Future You Can Support
This year is the 20th anniversary of the WSG and the 10th anniversary of the WSG assuming full operations of the Westwind site and programs. In these 20 years, Westwind has grown steadily. We have offered new programs, invested in Westwind’s facilities, and led conservation projects for some of our most delicate habitats.
Today, we celebrate the incredible success of the Westwind Stewardship Group. Across the region, we became an example of how to run a successful outdoor education program. But despite all of our success, it is important to recognize that we would not be where we are today without the dedicated support of our community. It took significant financial support to found the WSG and purchase the Westwind property. The dedication of our board, staff, and volunteers built a tradition of caring for the land and place. Today, it still takes your continued support to do the work we do.
While we recognize many of our programs require a fee for you to be at Westwind, those funds cover the cost of those programs. That fee is what allows you to experience the magic of Westwind. Your donation lets Westwind exist when you are not visiting. It allows us to continually make Westwind better and supports the incredible work that we do 365 days a year. With your support, we will continue to invest in Westwind facilities, continue to protect vital coastal prairie habitats, and continue to be a leader in providing access to outdoor education programs.
Donate today and pass on your Westwind legacy!
