Camp Nor'wester is a four-week overnight camp for ages 9-16 on Johns Island in the San Juan Islands, administered from a Seattle office. Campers work through a graduated program that gives every camper access to all activities: waterfront, craft shop, ropes and climbing, archery, music, dance, drama, outdoor cooking, garden work, and nature and environmental stewardship projects. Younger campers sleep out on camp property, while from age 13 or 7th grade the program adds four- and five-day outcamp trips to nearby marine parks and other San Juan Island properties. Sessions run about 170 campers at a staff-to-camper ratio near 1:3, and roughly 20-25 families a year receive financial aid, geared toward households earning $50,000 or less.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Camp Nor'wester directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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Accreditations & licensing
As stated by the camp or listed in the accrediting organization's directory — confirm current status with the accreditor.
Google Reviews
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★★★★★Jennifer AMy son has gone to Norwester every summer since 2021 and I believe it to be one of the defining events of his childhood. It has taught him independence, given him the ability to work with others, be responsible for himself, and have a love and respect for nature in one of the most beautiful places in the world. I’m so grateful that we found Camp Norwester for him!
★★★★★Emily KettermanEpic, life-changing camp with a long history of greatness. Cannot recommend anything more highly than Nor'Wester.
★★★★★Allison StiegerMy sons have been attending Camp Nor’wester since they were each 9. They are now 12 and 10. Camp Nor’wester has been an incredible experience for each of them. They both grow and mature a lot during their 4 weeks away at camp each summer. Highly recommended.
★★★★★Casten CrosbyThis is going to be my 3rd year at camp in the 2017 1st session. I have been going since my vagabond year, following my dad who came here all 6 years. I absolutely love this camp. I have developed such strong relationships with everyone I have met. It is such a different experience that is unbelievably amazing. I have loved every moment I spent here. The counselors are very well prepared to make sure you are having the best time you can! I love all the staff, outside of my unit, they are all super enthusiastic. They are all ready to teach us such beneficial life lessons and I treasure every moment I spend. Thank you, Camp Norwester for everything, I can't wait to be back❤️
★★★★★Carter HalpinMy name is Carter Halpin and i am an 8 year going camper. Those eight years were probably the best years of my life. I am currently 17, the year after my final year at camp and i still think about it every day. Camp Nor'wester is unlike any camp. I mean, aside from it being on a San Juan island, getting to live in tipi's and the fact that you're there for a whole month! Well aside from that, it's still pretty awesome! There is an amazing craft shop with different sections such as, wood shop, clay place, and there's even a hangout area with a whole bunch of bean bags you can sit on and sow something up! There's archery, adobe oven where you can bake a variety of treats, and it has it's very own ropes course and water front filled with even awesomer activities! Now this might sound like a normal camp but it is just extended to a non local place that's extended a little bit. It is Not. Johns island where camp Nor'wester is located is where i consider almost more of a home than Seattle (where i live) as you are staying there for a month you really grow close to the people around you and when you've gone the maximum 8 years as a camper as i have, not being at camp is like being at a job you hate for eternity; you would do anything to just go home even for just a day. No one can describe Camp Nor'wester accuratly in a puny little review, no one can. But i can say right now proudly, those eight times i went there, almost 7 months, i could not have done anything better with those seven months and i long to go back. I strongly suggest anyone who is reading this to go at least check out thew website and please go. It was the best thing in the world for me and i hope it is for you too.