Connecting with the Natural World
Westwind is one of the most popular sites for outdoor education programs in Oregon, hosting thousands of children annually for Outdoor School, YWCA summer camp, tribal youth programs and other events.
Guests of all ages are transported away from their everyday lives to a transformative place called Westwind as they cross the Salmon River by barge, and along the way receive an introduction to the estuary and the species that call Westwind home. Once in camp, staff provide guests with necessary safety information, and also orient the group to their relationship with Westwind’s natural systems (water conservation, green cleaning products, recycling and compost). A key aspect of the Westwind visit is the responsibility we ask guests to assume to clean camp after their stay, and leave the facility in better shape than when they arrived.
WSG is committed to providing well-maintained rustic facilities that support a comfortable learning environment, represent and enhance the Westwind mission and experience, mitigate risks and exceed safety standards wherever possible. Our facilities are accredited by the American Camp Association.
WSG continues to offer our facilities to our two largest institutional users—the YWCA (10 weeks) and Outdoor School (18 weeks)—at rates significantly below our already-discounted nonprofit rental rate. As part of our mission, WSG seeks to develop earned and donated revenue streams that will allow us to maintain these rates.
Over the next three years, WSG will focus on maintaining Westwind as a premier and affordable outdoor education site, creating additional educational materials and curricula, and launching our own education programs.
Specific activities include:
- Publishing self-guided orientation materials appropriate for different age levels on many topics: flora, fauna, geology, water cycle and conservation, marine biology and sustainable energy.
- Further integrating recycling, local food sourcing, and composting principles into the experiences of all groups.
- Developing curricula for WSG-sponsored teacher workshops and outdoor education programs, and working with the YWCA, Outdoor School and other user groups to fold WSG curricula into their programs.
- Investigating opportunities to use the Fraser farm area as an incubator for organic farming.
- Involving guests in conservation and monitoring programs.
- Maintaining our facilities in excellent condition and making any necessary improvements.
- Building new partnerships to support all these efforts.
Regular facility maintenance is overseen by our staff with support from Board members and volunteers. Several improvement projects have been identified that can be accomplished by current staff and volunteers. Input and support from user groups to identify and implement necessary facility improvements are continually sought. Expansion of WSG’s education efforts will be guided by Board members and outside experts and volunteers, and by developing partnerships with other regional educational institutions and organizations.
