News

two staff pose as they walk on the sang

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…

A group of people stand on a metal river ferry

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…

three men pose for a picture, two hold their children, the one in the middle holds a commemorative sign

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…

large group eats dinner in event space

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…

child looks up while surrounding by tree branches

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…

Beautiful view of river at camp westwind

Water Conservation

We are no strangers to water at Westwind. From the waves of the Pacific Ocean and the currents of the Salmon River to the rain that falls on our heads and the groundwater that runs beneath our feet, water is all around us. That is why it is so vital that we protect our waterways…