Camp Westminster

Wildwood was introduced as an advanced camping unit of Camp Westminster in 1953. The idea was to develop a decentralized camp which would bring the campers closer to nature and enable them to work for themselves.

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Wildwood was located at three sites within the camp — originally at the site that is now called Rustic (Wilderness); it was moved to the site that now is home to the Labyrinth and then moved back to the Rustic site. Wildwood was held continuously from 1953 to 1987, except for two years, and then revived in 1994 for one more year.

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Wildwood traditions were passed down from one year to the next. As with all traditions, particularly those passed down verbally, they evolved throughout the years. Some of those traditions are represented by the artifacts that were presented to each Wildwood group during a special Wildwood Ceremony known as the Wildwood Fire:

• A Rabbit Pelt – shows the softness of womanhood; the gentle spirit of being kind and loving.

• Shells – symbolic of hardness and the ability to be strong, to endure, and to be leaders; also reflect the ability to be a positive example, to listen, and to be open.

• A Gull Wing – reminds us of gracefulness and inner beauty; of finding a resting place close to nature.

• A Doeskin – because a white doe is as rare as Wildwood women; the white doe lives a free and graceful life.

• The Woodie Mama Dress and Headband – worn during the Wildwood Ceremony.
   

In 1968, a tradition started where the Wildwood experience was recorded on a doeskin using a modified hieroglyphic format; the doeskins served as journals of Wildwood activities.

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Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, the doeskins and artifacts are now properly preserved and displayed in archival-quality cases.