Westwind Family Camp is coming soon! We will be camping the weekend of April 8 – 10.

Friday, April 8th is only a half-day of school with students being dismissed at 11:30 am. You will have time pack, pick your kids up from school, eat some lunch, and still make it to Westwind for the 3:30 pm ferry crossing!

As Westwind is located on an isolated peninsula, access to the camp is provided via a ferry across the Salmon River. The Friday arrival crossing will be at 3:30 pm so plan on leaving Portland by 1:00 – 1:30 pm as the drive takes 2-2.5 hours. If you are absolutely unable to arrive by then, there are other options. You can cross the river by canoe or walk in. The canoe option is contingent upon fellow campers bringing a canoe and arranging to meet you or bringing your own canoe. You can also walk about two miles into the camp via an unpaved road which can take from 30-60 minutes. The departure ferry on Sunday begins at 4 pm so you will probably not arrive back home until 6:30 – 7:00 pm. More detailed information will be sent to registered campers.

Click here and here for registration forms and information (hard copies will be available in the SES office on Monday, March 7th). If you will be bringing another child with your family, you will need to fill out and turn in the Health Form. Please return completed forms and payment to the Westwind registration box in the SES office.The first 150 campers to register and pay will have their spots reserved. You will receive a registration confirmation or notice that you are on the waiting list by Monday, March 14th. The cost is $55 per person (only co-sleeping infants are free) which covers lodging and food. Please contact Cindy Ewers at hamiwers@comcast.net or 971-570-1616 with any questions.

Refund policy

All deposit checks will be cashed within a week of being received. Refunds for cancellations will be given if we are able to fill your spot.

Who is the sponsor?

PTSA coordinates the Westwind retreat as part of our work to develop the community at SES. This is a Community Building event for PTSA – a chance to bring our community together for a wonderful weekend. Our goal is for Westwind to cover its own costs. It is not a fundraising event for PTSA but we do assume the risk for the event should it not break even. Also we provide the insurance coverage for the event. Why does this matter for you to know? This year the Westwind Stewardship group as asked us to place a refundable security deposit of $500, on top of the fee of $4,200 to rent the location, to ensure that the site is well-tended. In the past, other groups (not SES) have damaged the site. Because we work very hard as community to raise our PTSA funds, we ask that you do all you can to help us keep this great place safe and sound.

Honoring our staff

If we are able, we like to provide complimentary accommodation for our staff. We add this into the overall cost of the event for the community. By sharing the cost to host our valuable staff members, we let them know how much we value their constant dedication to our school community.

Trading work for accommodation

This annual event is a big undertaking. There are two key volunteer positions, the registration coordinator and the dining coordinator, to whom complimentary accommodations are given to the volunteer and their family. In addition, there are several other roles for which we offer work scholarships. This includes the kitchen assistant, cleaning coordinator, and arts/activities coordinator. We are still looking for a cleaning coordinator so let us know asap if you are interested. WHile we are set for the other team members this year, please let PTSA know if you are interested in volunteering in the future.