The Lord motivated so many faithful people to build our beloved camp.
Camp milestones since our founding in 1978:
1976 – Kojis & Tisi Families attend a Christian Family Camp in San Bernardino and wanted to establish one for Catholics
1978 – Began payments of $9000 a month for 2 parcels of land, 161 & 207 acres = 368 acres total; San Diego Family Camps founded by Don Kojis and Dr. Jerry Tisi
1981 – Renamed Whispering Winds for the “tiny whispering” of God’s voice heard by Elijah (1 Kings 19:12) at the suggestion of Sr. Caroline Bachmann.
1982 – Mass of thanksgiving and Adoration celebrated by Most Rev. Leo T. Maher, Bishop of San Diego
1984 – Adjusted property purchase from 368 acres to 161 acres; two water wells dug, 600 feet apart, both rated at 60 gallons per minute
1985 – Water, electrical, and telephone lines hooked up; first conference with Fr. John Powell, SJ (before any buildings were on site)
1986 – Original Meeting and Dining Hall pole buildings completed (burned in 2003); Brodings Family donated two trailers for our first kitchen building
1988 – Untimely death of Dr. Jerry Tisi, co-founder; completion of the “Quad” Quadruplex Cabin (burned in 2003); Bernice Mascari and Kathy Brown found the Whispering Winds Women’s Auxiliary (WWWA)
1989 – Mary’s Grotto and original statue of Mary (by Mary Crosby) installed
1990 – 53,000 gallon water tank erected along with 6″ & 8″ looped water system installed including seven hydrants; road system was created
1991 – Mobile home donated by Jim Adamo is brought on-site and converted into a bunkhouse (formerly called Conference Room B)
1992 – Bank Building donated and installed (now called Meadow View Hall); Cursillo Movement comes to Whispering Winds
1993 – 36’X60′ Modular Dining Hall and a 8′ X 42′ trailer is attached and converted into a kitchen; Summer Family Camp launched
1995 – “Burn the Mortgage” Mass and party held upon final payment and full ownership of the land
1998 – Completion of the Milner Lodge 12-plex; installation of the tennis and basketball courts by a local Eagle Scout
2001 – Building of second 12-plex begins; installation of the treehouse and slide
2002 – Completion of Juanico Lodge 12-plex; close call with Pine Fire
2003 – Cedar Fire damages or destroys 80% of Whispering Winds; numerous miracles follow
2004 – Whispering Winds reopens to all guests
2005 – Whispering Winds opens year-round Food Service & Programs Departments; launches Summer Kids Camps, Young Adult Retreats, 6th Grade Camps, and Confirmation Retreats
2008 – Celebration of Whispering Winds’ 30th Anniversary; new statue of Mary (by Beverly Paddleford) installed in Mary’s Grotto
2009 – Swimming Pool completed
2010 – Launched first Senior Retreat program
2011 – Grand Opening of Founders Hall and Prayer Chapel
2012 – Grand Opening of Kitchen and Dining Hall
2013 – Launched first Special Needs Family Camp; Grand Opening of Dormitory Village
2015 – Launched first Military Family Camp
2016 – Created Endowment Fund and Launched Holy Ground Society
2017 – Grand Opening of Welcome Center and Shepherds Hall
2019 – Grand Opening of Disciples Lodge
2021 – November 19 – Co-founder Don Kojis, an NBA All-Star, faithful husband, father, and grandfather, passes into heaven
2023 – Added to our ministry of play was the action-packed amenity of paintball – great for strengthening communication and teamwork skills.