Luke Boswell's Shaw Story

There seemed to be no laws, only the willingness to pitch in by one and all to accomplish the needs of the community. Where the weather was perfect (probably not). The camp counselors (my generation) lived in mostly makeshift outdoor tents and stretched-tarpaulin individual camps scattered throughout the general vicinity. It was a simple life of little need where an air of ease and togetherness reigned.

There were approximately 10 other adult colleagues with John and Adi who deserve more of the credit as well and approximately 10-16 counselors ranging in ages from 16- 24. There were Towny Angell, Toni Russell (to become Angell), Steve Hait, Chris Hazen, Cita Strauss, Evan Kaeser, Jules Mersereau, Brooke Ann Floren, Harold Hutchinson, myself and quite a few others who spent time there adding to the community experience. Some stayed, and some passed through in a few days.

There was very little structure to the "camp" activities. There was no "archery at 10, swimming at 11, lunch at 12" type of day or environment. There was continual wonderment at the natural beauty and days were filled with exploration and immersion in the natural surroundings. Orca Whales porpoising through the sound always drew everyone's attention, as did Bald Eagles fishing, and low tides could be counted on for marine life expeditions that enthralled young and old alike. Native Americans would salmon fish just around the point by stretching nets between two canoe-like boats and standing on a ladder in those boats and counting the salmon as they entered the nets ... "there are two ... there are three more."

The steam yacht that was moored away from camp was always a highlight adventure for everyone. We took the yacht to Victoria, B.C. At the time no one seemed concerned about John's nautical skills considering the tides, currents and generally unfamiliar water. On returning, the yacht's steam engineer got heat stroke (but recovered) and we were temporarily adrift in the Straits of Juan de Fuca, before getting up enough steam to continue our voyage back to Shaw. This was solely due to a young man's (15 years old?) interest in how the steam boiler worked. He had taken an interest in the yacht and the steam engineer had taught him enough to make it run. I wish I could remember his name to give him full credit for our "rescue."

As I remember, the kids would come for about a week, maybe two, and then a new group would arrive. Probably the right amount of time considering our humble conditions, which included the best outhouse in the world where one would walk out a plank walkway and overlook the Puget Sound; on a good day, you could see the Olympics.

Food magically appeared (thanks to the efforts of the adult ladies). Along with others, I remember doing many dishes after meals. There were nightly hay rides and John would play his guitar after dinner, and many would quickly learn the words to his few songs and sing along.

Everything about Shaw Island/Camp Cedar Rock was magical. It was a life of carefree happiness. I cannot recall a single disagreement over the 6-8 weeks that I was there.

"Each evening from December to December

before you drift to sleep upon your cot

think back on all the tales that you remember

... of Camelot."

Thanking you,

— Luke Boswell, 4/23/26

MY WONDERFUL experience with Shaw Island/Camp Cedar Rock starts in 1971 when I moved out to Portland, Oregon, to live in a house that Towny Angell lived in at the time. Towny was joined by Toni Russell from Cincinnati.

By May of 1971, the house was talking about Shaw Island and going there that summer. I did not know anything about what was being discussed but by early summer, we were all getting ready to move our home north to Shaw, which we did that June.

The reason we had this terrific summer opportunity was solely because of Towny's parents, John and Adi Angell. They had been working in a school in Portland and thought an outdoor experience would be beneficial for those children. They were fortunate enough to have a friend who owned a large tract on Shaw Island and had agreed to let the Angells and some other responsible adults start what they called Camp Cedar Rock with the purpose of bringing those kids up from Portland to have an "away from the city experience."

Shaw Island was (and is) a magical place! With the benefit of hindsight, there was an Arthurian legend type of quality to the place. It began by boarding the ferry to the "Mystic Isle." One could call it Camelot. Where our uncrowned leader, John Angell, ruled with his kind caring warm wife Adi.

Luke Boswell

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