Northwest Passage Dance Camp - 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions we try to answer in the welcome letter we send to registered campers.
 

Safe Dancing Policy

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. Thanks for helping to make our dances a safe and welcoming space for all!

Why fragrance-free dancing?

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 (ideas and suggestions on the website). Thank you for making Northwest Passage comfortable for all of our dancers and musicians.

What does "a Taste of English" mean? - Isn't this a Contra camp?

Northwest Passage is famous for including in samples of different dance genres as part of our exciting and enjoyable program. It's a chance to discover something new and different to experience. This year, there is a schedule full of contra dance day and night, but we're sprinkling in some afternoon sessions over the course of the 4-day schedule where you can enjoy squares, waltz, swing, English, or French dancing. You'll be delighted to see how all these styles cross over and influence each other.

Do you use gendered or gender-free calling?

Although most dances at camp are called using the traditional terms "gents" or "ladies", these solely describe the dance roll, and not to a person's gender identity or "plumbing".  Anyone can ask anyone to dance, and anyone can dance either roll, regardless of the terms used. In fact, "which roll would you like?" is an appropriate follow-up question to "would you like to dance?"

There will a number of designated afternoon workshops specifically using gender neutral terms (most likely "larks" and "ravens"), and evening dances will be a mix of calling with both traditional and gender-free terms, at the discretion of the callers).

How can we help make Northwest Passage a community?

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 two “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, 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.

What should I bring to camp?

What should I NOT bring?

How do I get to camp (e.g. directions)? – See also interactive Google Maps link

Northwest Passage is located at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, 4 miles east of Rhododendron, Oregon on US Highway 26.

From Portland airport PDX: Take I-205 south to I-84/US 30 east (exit 22) and continue with From Portland directions.

From Portland: Go east on I-84/US 30 E to Wood Village Exit 16. Turn right (south) and go up the hill (becomes 242nd) until you come to Burnside Street (2.8 miles). Turn left onto Burnside.  You will come to the Powell Valley Junction (0.7 miles). Continue through it and you will be on US 26 eastbound. Stay on US 26 eastbound for about 33 miles.

Eastbound on US 26: the sign for camp will be on the right but the turn will be to the left. Forest Service road numbers increase as you leave Rhododendron. Watch the road numbers and turn left on Road #39. Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp is the second camp on the right. Road #39 ends shortly after the camp entrance.

Warning: the left turn from US 26 onto Road #39 is very dangerous if there’s traffic.  You’re in the number 1 (left) lane of a major highway waiting without a turn lane.  Cars behind you may not notice you’re stationary and you might get rear-ended.  If it’s not safe to turn left from US 26 onto Road #39, continue East for five miles to Government Camp where there are safe left turn lanes and opportunities to turn around and use the Westbound on US 26 instructions (below) to arrive safely at camp.

Westbound on US 26: go past Government Camp, watch the Forest Service Road numbers and turn right on Road #39. Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp is the second camp on the right. Road #39 ends shortly after the camp entrance.

How much parking is there? Should I drive on my own vehicle?

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.

Can I bring my RV or sleep in my car?

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.

When can I show up on Friday?

Early arrival is only by special arrangement with the registrar for those setting up camp or working in the kitchen.  Contact us if you are interested in these limited positions.

Tenting campers may arrive at 4:00pm on Friday for pre-check-in.  They will select a specific tent site or platform, haul their equipment up, set up their tent site, and then return to Fanning at 5:00pm for check-in.

Car/RV campers may arrive at 4:00pm on Friday in order for the parking crew to assign your parking place (no self-park please), and/or make any special arrangements.  Then come to Fanning at 5:00pm for regular check-in.

Campers in cabins may arrive around 4:30pm on Friday.  Let the parking crew assign your parking place (no self-park please). You'll need the building assignment received in your "Camper Welcome" email (see buildings on the camp map). After arriving at camp, to your assigned building rooms (locations on the camp map), pick out a bed and unload your stuff.  Then come to Fanning at 5:00pm for check-in.

How does check-in work?

Check-in is 5:00pm at the table by the entrance to Fanning Hall.  Please don’t trickle into the check-in area early as we won't be ready for you, and it may delay opening check-in on time for everyone else.

At the check-in table, please follow these steps:

The check-in area is staffed from 5:00pm to 8:30pm. After 8:30pm, please self-check-in or ask for a committee member to help! 

What camp facilities should I be aware of? (see also camp map)

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.

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 from Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp into the forests of Mt. Hood.  There’s more information about them on the Kiwanis website.

Are there safety issues to be aware of?

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.)

What if I need to cancel?

If you must cancel, your fee, less $35, will be refunded if you let us know by Aug 7th.  After Aug 7th, your full fee may be forfeit if we cannot find a replacement camper.  Please do not find your own replacement. We will fill your place from the waiting list.

How do I give feedback about camp?

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.

When does camp end?

Camp ends Monday after brunch and the final dance party (roughly around 1:30p), in time to drive home before the traffic gets really heavy.