Camp Nor'wester calls island ranch its home

JOHNS ISLAND, San Juan County - After four years without a home for its summer camp, Camp Nor'wester today will dedicate its new location: a 95-acre ranch on this island north of San Juan Island.

The camp closed in 1996 after Paul Allen bought the 387-acre Sperry Peninsula site on Lopez Island that the camp had used since 1945. Allen paid $2.85 million for the site, which he planned to use as his private compound.

Ever since, devotees of Camp Nor'wester have raised funds that have helped move buildings from Lopez Island to the 132-acre Nell Robinson Ranch on Johns Island. New buildings have also been constructed at the Johns Island site.

Camp Nor'wester officially reopened July 25, with 61 campers arriving for activities that include hiking, biking and camping in tepees. Today's dedication ceremony will include a salmon dinner and Native American dancing.