Camper Info
Almost everything below is the same as what we send out in the Campers’ Welcome Letter. However, sometime we get last minute changes, which we will notify you about in email and highlight below.
We strive to have an inclusive and safe environment for all people, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. If you experience or see anything questionable, please let an organizer know.
We’re part of the Portland Country Dance Community and comply with PCDC’s Covid rules and information, Community Standards, and Code of Conduct. In a nutshell, attendees must
• Perform a self-test before leaving home; verify that results are negative, and take a date/time-stamped photograph of the test.
• Show date/time-stamped photo upon arrival.
• Camp is mask-optional. Please respect your fellow campers’ choices.
Thanks for helping to make our dances a safe and welcoming space for all!
Northwest Passage Dance Camp is fragrance-free in order to allow those dancers in our community who have chemical sensitivities to enjoy the dance weekend. Please do not bring or use products which contain fragrances, such as: deodorants, perfumes, aftershaves, and colognes. We provide fragrance-free shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap in the bathrooms and shower facilities, and hand sanitizers at the sinks by the dining hall. For other personal items, please bring fragrance-free varieties or refrain from use during camp (see ideas and suggestions on our fragrance-free page). Thank you for making Northwest Passage comfortable for all of our dancers and musicians.
Our residential dance camp is a community creation where campers come together to dance, eat, and commune with each other in a collective setting. It couldn’t take place without the generous contribution of time and energy by all. Campers are expected to volunteer for “camp jobs” or “chores” during the weekend, so that Northwest Passage will continue to be a rich and joyous experience for all. Be sure to sign-up on the sheets near the entrance to Fanning Hall when you check-in. Thanks for pitching in!
Some of our campers fly or drive great distances to be part of our camp experience. Those who fly still have to go the 50 miles between the airport and camp. Help your fellow campers by becoming a “transportation angel”. Go to our Facebook group and offer to help each other with carpooling or shuttling between the airport and camp.
Some folks have a lot of stuff in tow between bedding, tents, instruments, and clothes. If you see someone in need don’t hesitate to help your fellow campers with schlepping. See a free luggage cart? Help bring it down to the check-in area closer to the cars.
• Food for Friday – we are not providing Friday night dinner
• Well-fitted masks (optional)
• 2+ Covid self-tests
• Comfortable clothing for dancing and walking
• Sleeping bag/bedding
• Pillow/stuffed animals
• Sweatshirt/jacket (evenings can be cool)
• Rain gear (yes it could rain)
• Earplugs (for light sleepers)
• Alarm clock
• Outdoor shoes suitable for hilly terrain
• Dance shoes (with non-marking soles)
• Comfy socks
• Water bottle
• Favorite coffee/tea cup
• A bottle of wine or beer for your dinner (please use discretion)
•Towels, washcloths and toiletries – fragrance-free soap, shampoo, conditioner, and hand lotion will be provided
• Flashlight
• Any prescription medicines you need
• Camera
• Musical Instruments
• Games
• Pets
• People not registered for camp
• Soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion (unless you already have a favorite fragrance-free product – these fragrance-free products will be provided)
PARKING IS LIMITED – CARPOOLING STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. The Kiwanis campsite recently reduced the size of our already limited parking area. Check the camper roster sent to participants to find folks in your area and look for carpool opportunities. We encourage you to car pool to camp – It is fun to travel together and fewer cars means everyone parks onsite. Our parking coordinators will thank you. You can also post requests or offers to carpool at our Facebook group.
The Kiwanis campsite is especially limited for Car-camping or RV spots, especially if you need hook ups (at last check there were only 3 for the whole site). If you’re a Car or RV camper, or just driving an oversized vehicle, be sure to contact us to avoid surprises at camp, or having to park offsite.
Early arrival is only by special arrangement with the registrar for those helping to set up camp.No matter what time you arrive, let the parking crew assign your parking place (no self-park please) – especially if car/RV camping.
Tenting campers and Car/RV campers may arrive at 4:00pm on Friday for Covid test verification. Lodging campers may arrive at 5:00pm on Friday for Covid test verification. Once verified, proceed to the registration table in the tent opposite Fanning Hall for check-in.
After check-in…
• Tenters select their specific private or platform tent site, and then get/haul their equipment and set up their tent site.
• Lodgers get their building assignment, go there, choose a bed and unload their stuff.
Check-in should be at the table by the entrance to Fanning Hall.
At the check-in table, please follow these steps:
1) Show us the date/time-stamped photograph of your negative Covid test
2) Check your name off indicating you’re here
3) Sign up for chores
4) Take roster, schedule, or camp map, as needed
5) Take your button and wear it
6) You’re done! Go socialize!
The check-in area is staffed from 4:00pm to 7:30pm. If you cannot arrive by Friday 7:30pm, contact the NWP registrar (registrar@nwpdancecamp.org) before camp and make arrangements for us to meet you, verify your negative Covid test, and check you in!
A variety of accommodations are available for use at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp. Included are dorm-style cabins, platform tents, and private tent sites. NOTE: tenting locations are very limited. Make sure you registered as tenting to ensure spaces are available at check-in time. See the camp map for locations.
Indoor sleeping accommodations are grouped as women only, men only, co-ed, and families with children. There will be some limited space for small campers or travel vans. Like we said earlier, large RVs are difficult to accommodate.
Restroom/shower facilities are available in each building and in the nearby bathhouse for tent campers.
Fanning Hall will be the site of dances, meals, and workshops. Additional workshops will be held in Laurel Lodge and Cy Lodge, each a short walk from Fanning Hall.
There are hiking trails near Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp into the forests of Mt. Hood.
The Kiwanis website lists nearby attractions, activities, restaurants, and coffee shops.
By late summer and early fall, the Mt. Hood area will be an elevated fire hazard area. Absolutely no smoking, candles, or other flames are allowed in any of the buildings or outside on the grounds. Smoking is allowed only in your car with windows rolled up. (Yes! In your car with the windows rolled up.)
If you must cancel, we will refund your admission monies, less a cancellation fee if we cannot find a replacement camper. Please do not find your own replacement. We will fill your place from the waiting list.
Up through July 28, the fee is $35. From July 29 to August 23, the fee is $150. After August 23, your entire admission may be forfeit. Covid related cancellations will receive a full refund.
As we reach the end of camp, we really want to encourage you to give us feedback on the evaluation forms we make available. Please take the time to provide the kind of information you would want to know if you were running camp.
On the middle of the form we have a quality rating chart and we ask that if any score is less than perfect, please make suggestions of what you would change to improve that score on the back of the form. Those details will make it more likely that we can actually do better.
Camp ends Monday after brunch and the final dance party (roughly around 1:00p), in time to drive home before the traffic gets really heavy.