Join Our Bus Program for Summer Camp 2025!

Parents are busy people.

Which is why Tilikum is offering a greatly expanded bus program for seven weeks this summer. This extra $75 will provide transportation to and from camp for 5 days plus professional supervision, and add valuable hours back into your day!

Busses are leased from and maintained by First Student in Newberg, a premier provider of safe, quality coach transportation for schools, businesses, and personal charter. Drivers with a valid Oregon Commercial Driver License are carefully screened and hired by Camp Tilikum for their desire and ability to work well with children.

Your child’s summer camp experience takes place from the moment they board the bus for Tilikum in the morning until the moment you pick them up at the end of the day, and every minute in between is supervised by carefully trained Summer Staff. Camp Tilikum’s bus transportation program is operated according to the transportation standards of the American Camp Association (ACA).

Alternatively, churches in your area may provide transportation for members of their congregations during select weeks and may have room for a few more kids. Contact your local church and follow their registration process (instead of registering on the Tilikum website as an individual) in order to reserve space on their bus.

Transportation Details

• Please complete the Medical Release Form for your child at least two weeks prior to the camp start date.  Children will not be allowed to ride the bus without a completed Medical Release Form.
• Remember, for your child’s protection, only people on your approved list may pick up your child at the bus stop, and they must present photo ID.
• Watch for a paper flyer at Monday morning registration for any updates to the bus schedule, information about Family Night, and contact information if your child needs alternate transportation arrangements.
• Please be respectful of others and arrive on time when you drop off and when you pick up at the end of the day.  We have multiple bus stops—we cannot wait for late arrivals in the morning, and we cannot move to the next stop if you are late to pick up your child in the afternoon.  If you know your child will not be riding the bus one morning, please let us know ahead of time.

Monday Morning Registration

Monday morning registration begins at the time listed for your bus stop on the schedule above and will depart promptly on time. During registration, you will need to:

Check In:  Your child will receive a sticker to place on their shirt that indicates what group they will be in when they arrive at camp as well as a backpack tag that will be their ticket to get on the bus at the end of the camp day.  The backpack tag needs to stay on your child’s bag all week.  You will receive a flyer with important information about the schedule, Family Night, and where to direct any questions.

Review & Sign the Transportation Agreement:  You will review the list of people who can pick up your child.  Please note we are only able to release children to individuals on the approved list (photo ID is required).  Please notify us by email if you would like to add people to that list, or if other arrangements need to be made for your camper’s transportation.

Discuss Any Health Concerns:  If your child is bringing any medication to camp or has a health concern we should know about (even if it was already indicated on the Medical Form), please speak to the staff so we can ensure your child is appropriately supported during the camp day.

The rest of the week, your child will be checked directly onto the bus.  Once your child is on the bus, they will not be allowed off the bus until they reach Camp Tilikum.

Questions about bus transportation?

If you have questions or would like to know more about bus transportation to and from Summer Camp, email Crystal Headrick/Camp Registrar, or call Crystal at (503) 538-2763, ext. 102.