Week 6: A Wet and Windy Start

Week six at Camp Westwind Outdoor School started with a bang! Mother Nature brought us lots of rain that traveled sideways because of the stiff gusts of wind coming off the ocean. A challenge indeed, the weather forced the new group of counselors to reach deep into themselves and summon the sheer determination to enjoy themselves while building a community of outdoor advocates. Students from Mills Elementary School from Klamath Falls and Wichita Elementary from Milwaukie both arrived on Tuesday to find some nice sunny weather. Everyone prepared for field study by filling up their water bottles. Tuesday's field study was a success as the rain subsided just enough for a little sun to dry us all out. We stayed nice and dry at campfire last night, singing songs and listening to stories. But by this morning, the rains came back. The students are geared up and headed out with their rain gear and try to stay dry as they learn about the forest, the beach, and the Salmon River estuary. We look forward to a break in the weather - forcasted for tomorrow evening - so that we can have a dry night hike and learn about rhodopsin and bioluminescence. Hooray for rain!