Four Winds * Westward Ho continues to exist today because of careful management, a strong commitment to tradition, and the generosity of our alumni, camp families and friends. We believe that securing the future of a camp that teaches “understanding, sportsmanship and tolerance” (from the writings of Ruth A. Brown, 1932) is the greatest gift we can give to future generations of children.

In 1967 camp founder Ruth A. Brown deeded the land, facilities and equipment of the camp to Four Winds, Inc., the newly formed non-profit corporation for Four Winds * Westward Ho. The act of donating a camp by an owner to a non-profit foundation was unprecedented in American camping and set a tone of generosity in the life of Four Winds * Westward Ho. Since that time, camp has been the recipient of many wonderful gifts of time, resources and money. Donated funds support the camp’s scholarship/ financial aid program, preservation and maintenance of the land and facilities, and program improvements throughout the camp.

Four Winds * Westward Ho depends on annual giving and the interest generated from the camp endowment fund to meet our operating needs every year. It is the key to sustaining the excellence of the camp program: attracting campers and staff from diverse geographic, cultural and economic backgrounds, protecting the unique island environment and facilities, and improving the quality of camp programs. As a nonprofit organization, the camp works hard to operate each year with a balanced budget. Achieving the annual fund goal and increasing the endowment will help continue our tradition of financial stability, as well as enable us to reach some of our other long-term goals.

In 2003, the average cost per camper not covered by tuition was $600. We are committed to providing our campers an excellent experience. To do so, we hire the best, brightest, most experienced staff available, and we have a staff to camper ratio of better than 1:2. In 2003, we awarded 40 full and 19 partial scholarships valued at over $165,000. Maintaining our physical plant of 27 buildings, 68 boats and numerous farm animals requires constant attention and funding.

Minimizing the rate of increase of annual tuition helps make Four Winds * Westward Ho more affordable and accessible to a wide variety of campers, from all over the country and the world. We always want to ensure that as many families as possible, including the children of alumni, have the opportunity to come to camp.

Most donated funds have been used where needs and priorities are greatest. The Board of Trustees allocates annual fund dollars to everything from financial aid to the preservation of camp facilities and to program improvements. For example, in the past three years we have modernized the camp water system, replaced the dock pilings, provided a new fleet of sailboats for our beginning sailors, improved the Lodge deck and kitchen, brought visiting artists to camp, and provided financial aid to nearly 200 campers.

The Four Winds * Westward Ho Annual Fund supports the mission of camp. The dollars raised go directly into the operating budget and are used the same year they are received. Where the operating budget falls short, the Annual Fund makes up the difference. The camp “Wish List” outlines specific needs for 2006-07. Please remember that any size donation is significant to camp. Four Winds * Westward Ho is a 501(c)(3) organization and the Annual Fund contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.