About Camp Tilikum
Experience creation. Build community. Find refuge. Encounter God. See lives transformed. Contact TilikumCreating space for KIDS to connect with God.
Tilikum provides a safe, serene environment for kids ages six to eighteen to be mentored by young adults who teach them about their Creator in an outdoor setting.
Creating space for FRIENDS to gather.
The Lodge at Camp Tilikum provides wholesome meals, a cracking fire as well as space for private conversations and gatherings at any time of the year.
Creating space for FAMILIES to connect.
Camp Tilikum’s family weekends allow parents to have fun and spend focused time with their children, while grandparents tell treasured stores of faith and formation to their grandchildren.
Creating space for TEAMS to grow.
The Challenge Course at Camp Tilikum is a resource for groups of all ages to build trust and camaraderie for greater effectiveness.
Creating space for YOU to encounter God.
Tilikum’s beautiful landscape and facilities can be a refreshing place to refocus and unplug from the noise of everyday life.
Camp Tilikum Center for Retreats and Outdoor Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, regularly hosting faith-based groups as well as public institutions like schools, secular non-profits, and corporations. Serving a broad range of groups, Tilikum asks only that they conduct their meetings and retreats without opposing Camp Tilikum’s basic principles.
Click here for the history of Tilikum
Camp Tilikum is the result of one family’s faithfulness to God. Learn more about the incredible beginnings and lasting ministry.
Click here for our Accreditation details
Click here to see the major accreditations, national certifications, and accountable practices Tilikum consistently maintains.
Click here for details about the Staff
Learn more about our team of lead staff, and resources to contact them!
Click here for details about the Board
Find out more about our local board of directors that oversee our operations.
Click here for our Statement of Faith
Tilikum’s Statement of Faith serves as a guide for our work in the community.
Click here for our Location and Map
Here are directions and a detailed map of our 93 acre camp.
History of Camp Tilikum
“To the God who upholds all things, and sends His rain and His sunshine upon all, who chose to be so kind and good to us, we offer our worship, praise, and thanksgiving.” – E. Russell Baker, Donor of the Tilikum Property
Russell Baker was born on March 21, 1908, to Ida and Harry Baker, who owned a dairy farm in the Chehalem Valley. Eventually Russell bought this farm, and the acquisition of it caused him to seek out his personal values and God’s purpose for his farming life. On October 12, 1962, the Columbus Day storm blew through western Oregon with hurricane-force winds. The Baker farm was hit especially hard. Irene Baker, Russell’s wife watched from the house as the storm reduced the dairy barn and silo to rubble. The Baker’s estimated losses were $40,000-$50,000 with no insurance to cover wind damage. Russell thought he was financially finished. He wrote, “In meditating on what to do. I felt led to make a vow or covenant with the Lord…if He would bring me out of this mess, I would not only give a large part, but all.”
In the next few years, Russell did recover from the storm damage, and according to his promise, he began to look for ways to use his farm for God’s work. In 1968, Russell sold some of his property and purchased a tractor to use in developing the lake. In 1970, the Bakers donated the newly formed 15-acre lake, their new home, a barn, and the remaining 77 acres of the original Baker farm to the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends. In 1975, Tilikum came under the ministry of George Fox University. As of Jan. 1, 2012, ownership of Tilikum transferred back to the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends.
Interested in learning more about Tilikum’s history? View Living a Legacy, Tilikum’s 25th anniversary booklet covering the camp from 1971 – 1996. It’s a large (24 Mb) file, but well worth the view. [View the booklet]
1971 Letter from Russel Baker – The gift of the camp.
The Camp Tilikum legacy – Permission from OPB.
History of the 1909 Valley View School
1987 Day Camp promotional video
The Essence of Tilikum – 1984 projector show.
50th Anniversary Book
View the 50th Anniversary coffee table book, “50 Years of Ministry and Service”.
Timeline History of Tilikum
Tilikum Pre-History (1902 – 1970)
1902 Russell Baker’s grandfather David Baker Jr. purchases the original property
1908 Russell Baker is born in the Chehalem Valley, the fifth child of Harry and Ida Baker
1914 What is now the Tilikum property is purchased by the Baker family
1914 The telephone comes to the Chehalem Valley area
1932 Russell Baker graduates from Portland Bible Institute
1933 Russell Baker marries Irene Brown
1933 Russel and Irene’s first home completed in December
1937 Wilbur and Russell Baker purchase the farm on contract from their parents
1938 Electricity comes to the Chehalem Valley
1948 The original dairy barn and silos are built on the valley floor near Russell and Irene’s home. This farm is across North Valley road from Camp Tilikum.
1950 – Russell and Irene become sole owners of the Baker farm
1962 – The Columbus Day storm strikes the Chehalem Valley
1969 Timber is cleared in the ravine for the construction of what is now Lake Tilikum
1970 The Bakers donate the upper 92 acres for establishing a camp
1970 The Dam is completed
The early years (1971 – 1975)
1971 Tilikum is established and an 11 member Board of Directors is formed for planning and development. Lon Fendal proposes the name Tilikum which means friend or friendly place in Chinook jargon.
1971 Gary Fawver begins as Tilikum’s first Executive Director (1971-1990)
1971 Susan Fawver begins as Food Service Director (1972-1988)
1972 Kraig Saks begins as Tilikum’s first Summer Staff
1972 The first group of retreat guests (Zion Lutheran Church) is welcomed into Baker’s lllahee.
1972 Tilikum hosts (for the first time) three weeks of Summer Camp with a total of 341 campers
1974 First Tilikum sponsored retreat held.
1974 Tilikum begins the first Potlatch fundraising event at The Thunderbird Inn in Portland. The event was sponsored by a generous donor. Potlatch in the Chinook trade Jargon usage means “to give”, or anything given, a present.
1975 Arnie Mitchell begins as maintenance man (1975 -1990)
Under the George Fox banner (1975 – 2012)
1975 Ownership of Tilikum is transferred to George Fox College
1977 The Quiet Place is built on the south side of Lake Tilikum.
1978 The multi-purpose building ‘Fawver Center’ is completed
1978 The 5th Annual Potlatch is held for the first time in the Fawver Center
1979 Curt Ankey begins as first Office Staff (1979-1985)
1984 Dining room and kitchen are expanded and remodeled with the help of more than 50 volunteers.
1986 Over 100 volunteers help move the historic Valley View Schoolhouse from Highway 240 to its current hillside location at Tilikum.
1986 Dennis Littlefield begins as Program Director (1986-1998)
1986 Upper meeting room expanded, new entrance, and deck on Baker’s Illahee which means plot of land or friendly place.
1988 Gary and Susan Fawver take an 8 month sabbatical and travel the world as President of Christian Camping International
1988 Cara Prentiss steps in as interim Food Service Director
1989 Letha Quinn begins as Food Service Director (1989-1991)
1989 Death of Russell Baker
1989 A new Administrative Office is completed and the old office is moved and remodeled into a staff home
1989 Valley View Schoolhouse dedication ceremony in July
1990 Arnie Mitchell transitions to Tilikum’s second Executive Director (1990-2000)
1991 Susan Button begins as Food Service Director (1991-1993)
1992 The Hiding Place is built on the north side of Lake Tilikum
1993 A 12-bedroom addition to Baker’s Illahee is completed resulting in a large increase in retreat bookings.
1993 Susan Sohler begins as Food Service Director (1993-1994)
1993 Camp Tilikum partners with Project Adventure to build the Challenge Course
1994 With the completion of the Challenge Course, a new program, High Adventure Camp begins primarily for junior and senior high youth groups
1994 Nadine Kinser begins as food Service Director (1994-1998)
1996 Tilikum 25th Anniversary!
1996 Tilikum builds the Big Zip Line across the lake
1998 The Northridge Camp site is established and High Adventure Camp changes from a “Day Camp” to an overnight program.
1998 Merle Hilbun begins November 1 as Director of Guest Services, replacing Melva Lloyd
1998 Beth Appart begins November 1 as Retreat Coordinator, replacing Heidi Pender
1998 Jeff VandenHoek begins as Program Director, replacing Dennis Littlefield (2000-2006)
1999 Jenny Crackenburg begins as Food Service Director (1999-2002)
1999 Carrie McNeal begins as Housekeeping Supervisor in September (1999-Present)
1999 Beth Appert begins as Retreat Coordinator (1999-2006)
2000 Bedford Holmes begins as Tilikum’s third Executive Director (2000-2008)
2001 Quest Camp begins as a Day Camp for older kids
2002 Josh Cogar begins as Adventure Program Manager
2002 Tami Ankeny begins as Day Camp Manager (2002-2006)
2002 Suzanne Maki begins as Office Manager and Registrar (2002-2007)
2002 Summer Camp is 11 weeks and hosts 2,900 campers with 34 Summer Staff
2003 Danny Hernandez begins as Food Service Director (2003-2006)
2006 Roberta Anderson begins as Food Service Director under Bon Appetit (2006-2009)
2007 Carol Yard begins as Program Director in March (2007-2011)
2007 Nate Forbes begins as Day Camp Manager in May (2007-2011)
2007 Julia Brown begins as Office Manager and Registrar (Fall 2007 – June 2009)
2008 The Amazing Race comes to Camp Tilikum
2009 Gary Fawver steps in as Interim Director
2009 Dennis Littlefield returns in May from Twin Rocks and begins as Tilikum’s 4th Executive Director (2009-Present)
2009 Michelle Davis begins as Office Manager/Guest Services Director
2009 Lisa Hereford begins as Food Service Director (2009-2012)
2011 Amy Watson begins as Challenge Course Manager
2012 Ownership of Tilikum is transferred back to the Northwest Yearly Meeting
Back to the Northwest Yearly Meeting (2012 – Present)
2012 New Board of Directors established
2012 Tami Ankeny steps in as interim Program Director
2012 Tilikum becomes a member of NWYM Camping Ministries (joining Quaker Cove, Twin Rocks, Twin Lakes and Quaker Hill)
2012 New Water System completed
2012 October, Tilikum adopts new tagline reflecting five values, Camp Tilikum is a place you can go to experience creation, build community, provide refuge, encounter God, and see lives transformed.
2012 Chuck Stobie begins as Food Service Director (2012-2016)
2012 Mandy Schmidt begins as Program Director (2012-2018)
2013 First Trail Run event held at Tilikum (previously held at Champoeg State Park from 2004-2011)
2013 New Shop Facility construction begun
2013 Lakeside Patio constructed
2013 Friends of Tilikum Day is restarted
2014 Wetlands Bridge completed
2014 Big Canoes purchased to expand waterfront activities
2015 New Waterfront dock
2015 First Willamette River Run event with the Big Canoes
2015 Murdock Trust Staffing Grant awarded for two positions, Marketing and Development (2015-2019)
2016 Suzanne Maki begins as Guest Services Director (2016-Present)
2016 Becky Headrick begins as Food Service Director (2016-Present)
2016 Pat Schmidt begins as Maintenance Director (2016-Present)
2016 Leanna Smith begins in December as Development Director (2016-2020)
2016 Dan Prow begins in December as Marketing Director (2016-Present)
2017 A Writers Retreat is held at Camp Tilikum with Renovare and Richard and Nathan Foster, and a groundbreaking is held for the new Writers Cabin.
2017 The Lakeside Village Capital Campaign begins
2018 New gravel road to Lakeside Village completed
2018 Rommie Christiansen begins in December as Camp Program Director (2018-2022)
2019 Debbie Ford begins as Registrar (2019-2020)
2020 COVID-19 wages huge impact on Camp ministry
2020 Fawver Center Remodel completed including new roof, south side windows, new bathrooms with running water and flush toilets.
2020 46th annual Potlatch at the Fawver Center for the first time in 12 years!
2021 Tilikum 50th Anniversary and the 47th Annual Potlatch Celebration (begun in 1974)
2021 Tilikum Lodge gets some much needed repairs and a fresh coat of paint
2021 Lake Tilikum is drained to repair the leaky valve
2023 Justin Adsit is hired as the new Maintenance Director in January
2023 Lake Tilikum is refilled, allowing Day camp to begin again in the summer!
2023 Grant Banham is hired as the new Program Director in May
For more information about Camp Tilikum, email Dennis Littlefield/Executive Director, or call Dennis at (503) 538-2763, ext. 103.
Accreditation
ACA accreditation means that Camp Tilikum is fully invested in understanding and implementing policies that reflect industry recognized standards in the health, safety, and risk management of camp operations. Tilikum periodically undergoes an extensive review of up to 215 standards of operations, from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. The American Camp Association collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at Tilikum reflect the most up-to-date standards in camp operation. Tilikum has been accredited by the American Camp Association since 1977. [LEARN MORE]
At a Christian camp, young people have the mental room to consider some of the most important issues of life. This break from the craziness of their regular routine allows campers to think about their future, to evaluate unhealthy patterns, and to discover the truth that God loves them and has an amazing plan for their lives. Camp Tilikum has been a member of the Christian Camp and Conference Association since 1972. [LEARN MORE]
Founded in 1993, The Association for Challenge Course Technology is the world’s leading and largest American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer focused on the challenge course industry. The ACCT is comprised of more than 2500 members worldwide. [LEARN MORE]
Tilikum is accredited by ECFA, which is based on the Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship™, including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fundraising. ECFA, founded in 1979, provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with the ECFA Standards. [LEARN MORE]
Executive Director / Dennis Littlefield
Camp name: “Robin Hood”
(503) 538-2763, ext. 103
Send Dennis a message.
Contact Dennis for information about development, goals, and how you can support the minsitry.
Guest Services Director / Suzanne Maki
Camp name: “Shazam”
(503) 538-2763, ext. 101
Send Suzanne a message.
Contact Suzanne for Tilikum Lodge, Food Service, and grounds rental information.
Program Director / Grant Banham
Camp name: “Sky Captain”
(503) 538-2763, ext. 106
Send Grant a message.
Contact Grant about Summer Camp programs or questions about registering kids for Camp.
Challenge Course Manager / Scott Diefenbaugh
Camp name: “Just boring ol’ Scott”
(503) 538-2763, ext. 105
Send Scott a message.
Contact Scott to schedule a tour or to reserve time on the Challenge Course.
Food Services Director / Becky Headrick
Camp name: “Zepplin”
(503) 538-2763, ext. 108
Send Miss Becky a message.
Contact Becky for questions and inquiries about our food service and recipes.
Maintenance Director / Justin Adsit
Camp name: “Waldo“
(503) 538-2763
Send Justin a message.
Contact Justin for repairs or maintenance needs around Tilikum.
Housekeeping Coordinator / Nancy Outwater
Camp name: “Mind Reader”
(503) 538-2763, ext. 101
Send Nancy a message.
Contact Nancy for questions about our housekeeping operations.
Mousekeeping (barn) / Ruth and Esther
Camp Names: “Ruth and Esther”
(503) 538-2763, ext. 104
Send Ruth and Esther a message.
Mousekeeping (shop) / Mary and Martha
Camp Names: “Mary” and “Martha”
(503) 538-2763, ext. 104
Send Mary and Martha a message.
Board Clerk / Carl Anderson
Building/Repair at George Fox University
(503) 998-3606
Board Member / Jim Buckner
Organizational Development Specialist in Human Resources
at A-dec, Inc.
(503) 679-2853
Board Member / Kara Lyda.
Student at George Fox University
Send Kara a message.
Board Member / Janell Almquist-Meireis
Reading Teacher at Edwards Elementary School
(503) 538-2763
Board Member / Cathie Jo Sturdevant
Homemaker and Church Volunteer
(503) 554-9905
Board Member / Dave Tussing
Strategies and Business Operations Manager at NIKE
(503) 320-0383
Ex Officio Board Member / Jim LeShana
General Superintendent at Northwest Yearly Meeting
(503) 538-9419
Statement of Faith
Camp Tilikum is a 501(c)(3) faith-based organization serving a variety of organizations including schools, companies, and churches. The following Statement of Faith serves as a guide for our work in the community.
The Trinity We believe in one eternal God, the source and goal of life, who exists as three persons in the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In love and joy, God creates and sustains the universe, including humanity, male and female, who are made in God’s image.
God the Father We believe in God the Father Almighty, whose love is the foundation of salvation and righteous judgment, and who calls us into covenant relationship with God and with one another.
God the Son We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word, who is fully God and fully human. He came to show us God and perfect humanity, and, through his life, death, and resurrection, to reconcile us to God. He is now actively present with us as Savior, Teacher, Lord, Healer, and Friend.
God the Holy Spirit We believe in the Holy Spirit, who breathed God’s message into the prophets and apostles, opens our eyes to God’s Truth in Jesus Christ, empowers us for holy living, and carries on in us the work of salvation.
Salvation We believe that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone, to whom we must respond with repentance, faith, and obedience. Through Christ we come into a right relationship with God, our sins are forgiven, and we receive eternal life.
The Bible We believe that God inspired the Bible and has given it to us as the uniquely authoritative, written guide for Christian living and thinking. As illumined by the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures are true and reliable. They point us to God, guide our lives, and nurture us toward spiritual maturity.
The Christian Life We believe that God has called us to be and to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to be God’s agents of love and reconciliation in the world. In keeping with the teaching of Jesus, we work to oppose violence and war, and we seek peace and justice in human relationships and social structures.
The Church We believe in the church as the people of God, composed of all who believe in Jesus Christ, who support and equip each other through worship, teaching, and accountability, who model God’s loving community, and who proclaim the gospel to the world.
Christian Worship We believe Christ is present as we gather in his name, seeking to worship in spirit and in truth. All believers are joined in the one body of Christ, are baptized by the Spirit, and live in Christ’s abiding presence. Christian baptism and communion are spiritual realities, and, as Christians from many faith traditions, we celebrate these in different ways.
The Future We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, in the resurrection of the dead, in God’s judgment of all persons with perfect justice and mercy, and in eternal reward and punishment. Ultimately, Christ’s kingdom will be victorious over all evil, and the faithful will reign with him in eternal life.
Where is Camp Tilikum?
For directions from Google Maps [CLICK HERE]
From the North on I-5 Travel south through Portland on I-5 and take the Tualatin/Sherwood Exit number 289. Turn right and follow Tualatin/Sherwood Road five miles to Hwy 99W at Sherwood. Turn left, going southwest, for eight miles and drive through Newberg until you are on the west side of town. Continue with directions from Newberg.
From the South on I-5 Travel I-5 north of Salem and take the Brooks Exit number 263. At the top of the ramp, turn left across the overpass, heading west. At the next stop sign (immediately after you go over the railroad tracks) turn right (north) and follow Hwy 219 into Newberg. At the stop light on Hwy 99W, turn left and travel through Newberg until you are on the west side of town. Continue with directions from Newberg.
From Newberg In Newberg turn north at the intersection of Hwy 99W and Hwy 240 (Chehalem Valley / Yamhill sign). Follow Hwy 240 for five miles. Turn right (north), onto Ribbon Ridge Road (a Tilikum Retreat Center sign is on your left). After one mile, bear left at the junction onto North Valley Road. Look for the Tilikum sign on the right (one mile).
From Forest Grove Head south on Hwy 47 toward Gaston. Two miles beyond Gaston, turn left onto Flett Road. After 1.5 miles Flett Road makes a turn to the right. Continue for about 4 miles. (The name of the road will change from Flett Road, to Springhill Road, to North Valley Road.) The entrance to Tilikum is a sharp left turn into the driveway.
From McMinnville Take Hwy 99W toward Newberg. After entering Lafayette, turn left onto Bridge Street (Bill’s Market on the right), which becomes Abbey Road. Follow Abbey Road past the Trappist Abbey and bear right at the junction with Hendricks Road, where Abbey Road becomes Kuehne Road. Continue to the stop sign then turn right off of Kuehne Road onto Hwy 240 and proceed 0.7 miles to Ribbon Ridge Road. Turn left onto Ribbon Ridge Road. After one mile, bear left at the junction onto North Valley Road. Look for the Tilikum entrance sign on the right (one mile).
For more information email the Administrative office, or call (503) 538-2763.