What is Windells?
Windells is an action sports camp (snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, BMX, etc.) for kids adults, and professional athletes. Windells operates year-round basis, hosting Summer sessions, and Winter & Spring Break sessions.
Do you host many female snowboarders, skateboarders and freeskiers?
Yes! Ladies account for one third of the total camper population each year. Girls have their own cabin, and Windells offers plenty of optional female-specific activities and groups to ensure a positive, encouraging atmosphere where every one can learn and have fun. The best female athletes — snowboarders, freeskiers, skateboarders and BMXers – have been through Windells
Are there pro athletes at camp?
Tons! Action sports pros are always stopping through campus. Mt. Hood is the only year-round ski area in the lower 48 with lifts operating 12 months a year. Windells provides the best freestyle terrain. Pros generally bounce from camp to camp to get their time in at the “funnest” place on Earth.
What is your camper-to-counselor ratio?
10 to 1. Ten campers per counselor, one counselors per cabin.
What is your camper-to-coach ratio?
7 to 1. Our coaches work with seven or fewer campers
Do you get snow during the summer months?
Oh yeah! Palmer Glacier at Timberline Ski Area, home to Windells Private Park, has 100% natural snow all year round. Our park is over 1.5 miles of features and fun. There is nothing quite like taking turns in July.
Where are you located?
Campus is tucked snugly off Hwy 26 in Brightwood, Oregon, just at the base of Mt Hood. Weather permitting, we’re about 45 minutes from Portland.
Where do I fly in to?
The lovely Portland International Airport (PDX)
How far is PDX from camp?
Campus is roughly 45 minutes from the city.
Do you provide transportation to and from PDX?
Yes. We ask that campers arrive on the first day of camp and depart on the last day of camp. On these days (between the hours of 8am and 4pm) Windells runs shuttles about every half hour from Portland to Windells. If a camper must fly in before 8am, Windells willhave a representative at the airport to meet them. If a camper must fly in after 4pm, Windells will make transportation arrangements, but an additional shuttle fee of $55 USD may be assigned.
How far is campus from the ski area?
Campus is 16 miles from camp to Timberline (where the Private Park is located in the summer time), just a quick ride in the Windells vans
Why are the sessions different prices?
Prices are determined by demand. Sessions that fill first are generally priced higher.
Is the snow better at the beginning of summer?
While more doesn’t necessarily mean better, there is more snow at the beginning of the summer than the end of summer. Windells Private Park has most of the same features sessions 1 through 7. Late June through mid July is the busy season on Mt. Hood.
Do campers come alone?
Some campers come with friends, but most campers come alone. Camp is a great way to make lifelong friendships.
I’m concerned about sending my kid across the country alone.
We understand! Windells has hosted kids come from more than 53 different countries around the world. Campers as young as eight years old fly in every year. Most corporate airlines have a program for unaccompanied minors. Contact the specific airline to learn more about their services.
If I am a snowboard/freeski camper can I still skateboard/ride BMX?
Certainly! Campers have access to campus facilities during allotted activity time. Windells has daily clinics to introduce campers to skate and BMX. A full range of skateboard and protective gear is available for all campers to use. BMX bikes are included as well!
What ages are your campers?
Most campers are 13 to 16. Overnight Camp is available to kids 8 through 17. Adult Camps are 18 and up. Day Camp is for kids as young as 4. Shaun White started coming to Windells when he was just 6!
Can campers come for more than one session?
Most definitely. A $200 fee covers activities, 24-hour supervision, food and fun for the few days of “in-between”, the days after one session and before the next. The first in-between day is pretty relaxing; hanging out on campus and seeing friends off as they depart. Then campers have laundry done while their counselor takes them to the movies, to the Oregon Coast, to Mount St. Helens, or on a multi-day rating trip. In-betweens vary session to session, based on the group’s interests and weather.
If I want to come with my kids, where can I stay?
Parents often accompany their kids to Windells. Campus is always open to parents who want to hang out and watch their kids progress and enjoy themselves. If parents choose to accompany a camper, Mt. Hood and its surrounding areas have many lodging options. Check out http://www.mthood.info/ or check with our friendly staff.
What makes Windells different from other action sports camps?
Windells is the only action sports camp with a private campus away from the city. There’s 53 acres of fun at Windells — a 15,000-sq. ft. indoor recreational center, foam pits, trampolines, indoor and outdoor skateboarding parks, paintball, fishing ponds, sand volleyball court, basketball courts, tether ball courts, court yard and our very own action sports community of campers, friends and guests.
Windells is the official camp of the US Snowboarding Team. US Olympic athletes choose Windells for training and practice. Snow and ski campers have the opportunity to learn as much about skateboarding and BMX as they will about their principle sport. Up to six activities — both traditional and non-traditional — are on the schedule every hour, 3pm to 10pm.
What if my child is injured at camp?
More than anything, we try to keep your kids safe. Unfortunately, injuries happen in action sports. Parents or legal guardians will be contacted as soon as possible in the event of a medical emergency. We know how upsetting it can be if your child gets injured far from home. Please remain calm and know that we will do everything in our power to care for your child. Here are some items to keep in mind.
1. Talk to your child about the importance of honestly reporting their aches and pains. Often kids hide injuries or downplay their pain to avoid missing a day on the hill or to avoid being sent home. We can only treat your child if we know about the injury so we rely on them to communicate with staff members.
2. If a camper reports an injury to our camp nurse, the nurse will evaluate the injury and decide if the camper should be seen by a doctor. A parent will be notified of the injury immediately and takes part in the decision making.
3. If your child is injured on the slopes, the first response is from Timberline ski patrol. A camp representative will meet the injured camper in the ski patrol room to hear the patroller’s injury assessment. If the injury is a minor one, Windells will transport the camper to a treatment center. The camper’s parents will be notified of the injury when they arrive at the clinic.
4. If the injury on the slopes is very serious, the camper will be transported by ambulance or Life Flight.
5. Attending physicians provide follow-up care. Our camp nurse will check on injured campers regularly and counselors will be informed of any special instructions.
6. All prescription drugs must be stored in, and distributed from, the nurse’s station.
7. Medications prescribed by physicians and X-rays will be sent home with campers. If Windells purchases medications for an injured or ill camper, an invoice with a copy of the receipt will be sent home for reimbursement.
8. If a camper is unable to participate in activities following the injury, our Sales Director will contact parents or guardians to arrange early transport home.
9. Dr. Grise, our local physician, is five minutes from campus and is available for emergency visits Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm. Otherwise, campers are transported to Mt. Hood Medical Center in Gresham, a 30 minute drive.
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