The Tremulous History of the Oregon Coast
What secrets lie in the depths of coastal soil? This is a question that researchers from Virginia Tech visiting Westwind attempted to answer. Traversing the edges of Westwind, they traveled to the eastern tip of the Salmon River estuary. These researchers used long metal rods to pull layered samples from the river bank. The soil…
Staff Training Wrap-Up
Westwind Summer Staff Training wrapped up last weekend. Let’s dive into staff training to learn what happens during training to prepare our amazing staff for their summer! The Basics Staff training is ten days long and is packed full of team-building exercises, training led by communication professionals, and extensive practice on how to be a…
Visitor’s Day Recap
It was another successful Visitor’s Day. The 2024 Visitor’s Day welcomed guests from across the Westwind community. From summer campers and community members to former ODS Student Leaders and staff families, many members of the Westwind community were present. Our summer staff and board members were out and about. They greeted over 200 people who…
Welcome to Camp Westwind
Summer camp is right around the corner! It’s going to be another incredible summer at Westwind. From camping under the stars and making new discoveries at the tidepools to making new friends and singing camp songs until you’re out of breath, a week at Westwind is an experience to remember. But just because it will…
ACA’s Camp Hill Days event
Last week, our Buisness Director Sarah took Westwind on the road. As part of a contingent from the American Camp Association (ACA), Sarah met with legislators on Capitol Hill and advocated for camps across the country. Sarah was one of 80 camp professionals and campers from 29 states who participated in the ACA’s Camp Hill…
Fraser Farm Conservation is Underway
Next time you visit Westwind, you may notice something different. The field at Fraser Farm, where you may have parked last time you visited Westwind, is currently brown. This change in color marks the beginning of a five-year process to restore the area around Fraser Farm to native coastal prairie habitat. What Is Happening We…
Raindrop to Sea Trail
At our Earth Day Celebration, we officially opened phase one of the Raindrop to Sea Trail. Leaders from Westwind, Trail Keepers of Oregon (TKO), and Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative (CHBC) joined Earth Day visitors to celebrate the historic opening of this trail. Commemoration The Raindrop to Sea Trail was officially opened after lunch during Westwind’s…
SSC Celebration Dinner
Recently, Sabin-Schellenberg Center (SSC) students, teachers, and administrators gathered with Westwind staff and board members to celebrate a historic partnership. Since February 2020, SSC students have been the primary force driving our cabin remodels. As of May 2024, SSC has completely remodeled eight of Westwind’s thirteen cabins. The inaugural SSC Celebration Dinner was a moment…
Registration for Fall Programs is OPEN
Fall at Westwind is a magical time. The deciduous trees’ bright yellow and red leaves dot the forest, winter storms wash up all manner of unique discoveries on our shores, and foggy fall mornings are best enjoyed with a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate. The time is now to register for our 2024…
Environmental Education
Westwind believes strongly in the value of education as a tool to conserve the environment. Allowing children and families to experience nature and learn from real-life experiences inspires people to be stewards of the environment and their communities. Environmental education promotes an understanding of the interdependence of the natural world and fosters a desire for…