Whispering Winds

Each experience has its own approach to camp life. Family Camp is a weekend for the whole household, combining shared recreation with Catholic prayer, Mass, and sessions about marriage and parenting. Children and teens join age-based programming, and designated childcare gives parents time to attend sessions or spend time together. Meals are prepared during the weekend, and families choose lodging that fits their household.

Sixth Grade Camp runs Monday through Friday with four overnight stays. Its school-based program blends prayer, Mass, Confession, science exploration, recreation, and small-group experiences. Schools provide transportation and adult chaperones, who remain responsible for student supervision. Camp Emmaus focuses on parish teen leadership teams, using workshops, presentations, prayer, public speaking, and project planning. Participants register through their parish youth program.

Camp Jack gives children ages 9–12 six days of recreation, arts and crafts, field games, campfires, and team challenges. Referrals come through community organizations, with scholarship support covering attendance. Camp Arise is a weekend retreat for teens preparing for Confirmation. Camp InDeed serves families that include a loved one with developmental or intellectual disabilities, pairing special campers with trained Buddies for companionship during meals and scheduled activities.

Meals are prepared on site and served from a self-service line. Breakfast has a breakfast bar, while lunch and dinner include a garden bar. The kitchen accommodates vegetarian diets and requests related to gluten, egg, dairy, and nut allergies, but the facility is not allergy-free. Share dietary needs when registering or through your group leader, and speak with kitchen staff at the first meal. Sixth Grade Camp includes 13 meals, from Monday lunch through Friday lunch.

Overnight guests stay in lodges or dormitory buildings, with the arrangement depending on their program. Deluxe Lodge rooms have private bathrooms, showers, heating, and air conditioning. Dormitory options have bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Most lodging does not include linens, so bring appropriate bedding, a pillow, and towels. Camp Emmaus uses lodge rooms or Dormitory Village, and Camp Arise places teens with other participants of the same gender. Camp InDeed families may use Deluxe Lodge rooms or available RV spaces.

Staff train at least annually for emergency response, and campers and guests receive a safety briefing on arrival. The emergency plan covers wildfires, earthquakes, medical incidents, intruders, and missing people. Staff hold CPR and First Aid certification. Sixth Grade Camp schools provide adult chaperones for the entire stay, including overnight supervision. The mountain property has natural terrain, unpaved walkways, and elevation changes; families can discuss individual accessibility needs before attending.

Camp staff hold CPR and First Aid certification, and medical incidents are included in the emergency plan. Families should communicate food allergies and special dietary needs in advance so the kitchen can prepare. For Camp InDeed, special campers receive a trained Buddy’s companionship and practical support during scheduled activities and meals.

Camp Jack involves counselors, junior counselors, volunteers, Lions Club members, and Whispering Winds staff. Counselors lead activities and support campers throughout the week. At Family Camp, high school Child Care Assistants help younger children and support children’s programming. Camp InDeed Buddies complete screening and training before working with families. Sixth Grade Camp chaperones facilitate small-group materials and supervise students, with at least one school employee among each school’s chaperones.

Participating Sixth Grade Camp schools receive preparation information, schedules, forms, and arrival details before their session. Family Camp participants receive their program waiver by email after registration. Camp Emmaus participation and registration are coordinated through the parish youth program, so families work with their parish leaders on next steps.

Select the appropriate program before arranging your stay. Family Camp uses online registration, while Camp Emmaus participants register through their parish youth program. Sixth Grade Camp schools arrange transportation and provide adult chaperones for the full experience. Camp Jack uses referrals from law-enforcement, foster-family, and youth-serving organizations. Pack bedding suitable for your lodging. For Camp Arise, bring warm layers, closed-toed shoes, extra socks, gloves, and a hat or beanie for cool mountain weather.