Camp Tilikum is blessed with some of the best staff you will find anywhere. Whether working in the office, serving in the kitchen or leading campers, Tilikum’s staff are committed to serving in a manner that honors God.
Highschool Summer Staff
As a Highschool staff, you’ll work alongside our college staff to support small groups of campers, ensuring they have an unforgettable, faith-filled adventure. Ready to spend your summer being part of something bigger?
College Summer Staff
A summer at Tilikum offers an incredible experience that will push you toward deeper communion with God and others, and also add some valuable skills to your repertoire such as goat herding, canoe rescue, and group management… just to name a few.
Year-Round Staff
Want to support the camp long-term? Consider joining our exceptional team of staff throughout the year, with a variety of flexible work hours in multiple areas around our beautiful camp and lodge.
Year-Round Internships
Have you tried college, maybe have a degree, but still you want more practical experience, more mentored training, more than just a job?
Volunteer
Since 1971, volunteers have been at the heart of Tilikum’s ministry, contributing countless hours to make the camp thrive and grow.
Highschool Summer Staff
Tilikum’s High School Summer Staff work alongside College Summer Staff as Day Camp counselors during the busiest weeks of the summer. Guys and girls between the ages of 16 to 18 are trained in May and then work 5-8 weeks during the summer. High School Summer Staff are essential in providing support to the college staff with a small group of campers.
Our applications have closed for 2025, but if you’re interested in a fun-filled and educational summer, please consider applying in Feburary of 2026!
Important Dates:
- Application opens Feburary 1, 2026
- Applications due by April 29th, 2026
- High School Summer Staff training is May 16 & June 5th, 2026
- Lifeguard training is May 22 – 25, 2026
- Summer Camp Camp – Monday to Friday, June 8th until July 31st, 2026.
High School Summer Staff are expected to commit to at least 5 weeks of camp throughout the summer for a stipend of $300 per week. The High School Lifeguard salary is $400 week. Work days are Monday – Friday 7:30AM-5:00PM. All staff members must have consistent, reliable transportation to and from Camp.
College Summer Staff
Each year, Camp Tilikum hires 20 dedicated young adults to serve at camp throughout the summer. As Summer Staff, you will spend each day showing the love of Jesus to kids and teaching them about their Creator as you hike the hills, swim in the lake, and play (you might even say frolic) in the fields alongside your peers. A summer at Tilikum offers an incredible experience that will push you toward deeper communion with God and others, and also add some valuable skills to your repertoire such as goat herding, canoe rescue, and group management… just to name a few.
Applications are now open for 2026. Please consider applying for an incredible summer!
Explore Staff
Explore is a Day Camp program for children entering 1st – 6th grades. Each week, Explore Staff are responsible for teaching and supervising a variety of program activities such as archery, Bible discussions, canoeing, swimming, the Big Swing, hikes, crafts, and more!
Applicants must be 18 years or older and at least one year out of High School to work as Explore staff.
Adventure Staff
Adventure Program staff are responsible for facilitating for Quest (grades 6-8) and Journey (grades 9-11) Each Adventure Program Staff member will be trained as a Challenge Course Facilitator and have an opportunity to lead Bible discussions, games, and other activities.
Applicants must be 19 years of age and at least two year out of high school to work as Adventure Program staff.
Important dates
- Application opens December 1, 2025 and close March 31, 2026.
- Lifeguard training is May 22 – 25, 2026
- Summer Staff program May 26 – August 2, 2026 (2 weeks training, 8 weeks counseling)
Summer Salary and Housing
- First Year Staff – $5,000
- Returning staff – $5,200
- Lifeguards earn an additional $200
- Housing is also provided by Camp Tilikum (additional $2,000 value)
Summer salaries are distributed over 3 monthly payments during the summer program. Tilikum Summer Staff are generally expected to be present for the entire program, but important life events (weddings, family reunions, etc.) are accommodated on a case-by-case basis and will be negotiated before hire.
Interested in an Internship after Summer?
Camp Tilikum has opportunities for paid internships after the summer for those taking a gap year or finishing college. Spend the next year living on-site and engage in service, discipleship, and ministry at the camp around the year!
Summer Staff Job Descriptions
Day Camp Program Staff
Adventure Program Staff
Support Staff (returning staff preferred)
Internships
Interested intern candidates should apply to be a member of the College Age Summer Staff team prior to starting the internship on September 1st. Applications are being accepted between now and March 31st, but early applications are given preference.
Camp Tilikum offers a one-year Internship Program beginning September 1st. Specialized areas of concentration enable an Intern to focus on one or more areas of interest.
· Executive Leadership & Administration
· Youth Programming
· Challenge Course Management
· Marketing and Development
· Adult and Family Programming
· Guest Services
Internship Core Experiences.
Core Experiences are primarily in the fall and are designed to challenge you spiritually, relationally, and emotionally while gaining practical ministry tools. Core Experiences are for every Intern regardless of their area of concentration, and include:
· Weekly Intern Meetings
· Leadership Book Studies
· Camp Tours
· American Camp Association Fall Educational Event
· Management Team Retreat
· Christian Camp and Conference Association Sectional Conference in February
· Tilikum Board Meetings
In addition to the Core program, Interns will serve alongside year-around staff in the planning, budgeting, staffing, management, and guest service aspects of their area of concentration. Interns gain hands-on-training and experience while providing the ministries of Camp Tilikum.
Upon successful completion of the Internship Program, Interns will receive a certificate of completion and a letter of recommendation. Job/ministry placement assistance may also be provided.
Financial and Lodging
Interns work at least 40 hours a week in various areas of Tilikum’s ministry. This involves departments such as: Food Service, Housekeeping, Grounds, Challenge Course, Recreation, Registration, Office. The final three months is during May, June and July and will be as a leadership staff in the summer camp program. The payment is up to $2,500 for the month, with deductions made for rent and utilities equaling $1000. Housing provided is individual apartment sized lodging on-site.
Schedule Outline.
September – October: This two-month orientation period of the internship will concentrate on learning and growth including: weekly intern meetings, Cairn Series Courses, leadership book studies, camp tours and other fun recreational outings. Interns will also work in various departments depending on the needs and season.
November to April: Interns will work with their primary instructor in an area of concentration as well as in various departments depending on the needs and season.
May – August: Interns participate in a leadership role in the summer ministry of Camp Tilikum.
Application Process.
For more information about the Internship Program, contact:
Dennis Littlefield/Executive Director: dennis@camptilikum.org
Grant Banham/Program Director: grant@camptilikum.org
Year-Round Staff Positions
Year-round positions at Tilikum are an incredible opportunity to be part of a ministry that changes lives all year long. Whether you’re helping with housekeeping, retreat hosting, maintenance, or administrative support, you’ll play a vital role in creating a welcoming, faith-centered environment for campers, guests, and staff. These positions allow you to develop valuable skills, build meaningful relationships, and make a lasting impact while working in a beautiful, God-honoring setting. If you’re ready to be part of a dedicated team that combines work with purpose, consider joining us at Tilikum year-round!
Available Positions
Kitchen Staff
Looking for a rewarding way to serve at camp? Join Camp Tilikum’s incredible kitchen staff, where you’ll help prepare and serve delicious meals for guests and families in a fun, supportive environment
Housekeeping Staff
Help create a welcoming and comfortable space for guests by joining Camp Tilikum’s Housekeeping Team, who play an important part in keeping camp running smoothly, working behind the scenes to help guests relax, connect, and grow in their faith.
Facility Maintenance Technician
Keep Camp Tilikum running strong by joining our Facility Maintenance Team! As a Maintenance Technician, you’ll play a key role in ensuring that our buildings, grounds, and equipment are ready for all our guests and campers to enjoy.
Volunteer
Operations Volunteers
If you are interested in serving as a support volunteer (kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping), email Dennis Littlefield/Executive Director, or call (503) 538-2763, ext. 103. It’s important that you have a good volunteer experience at Tilikum, so we want to discuss your schedule, meals and tasks, prior to your arrival. You must also fill out an online volunteer application. Once you are in the system, please select the Operations Volunteers application.
Projects for individuals, couples, and small groups
Tilikum has been blessed to have volunteers regularly work at Tilikum for many years and are looking for people who are willing to come and work a few days, a week, or more, and work alongside our year-round staff with repairs and maintenance, deep cleaning, office or other areas. We have projects that will meet your specific needs, skills, and interests.
Projects for larger groups
Tilikum is also looking for larger groups (youth groups, men, women, etc.) to support the Camp with landscaping, painting, construction projects, clearing trails, yard work, wood splitting, etc. We are often able to provide food and grounds use at no charge to volunteer groups. Our goal is to provide time for retreating as well as time for volunteer service. For example, between May and October, Tilikum will provide free housing at our Northridge Cabins for the weekend and dinner on Saturday night, in exchange for six hours of volunteer labor on Saturday.
Camp Hosts
Tilikum is looking for couples who would be interested in volunteering at Tilikum during the summer. We need assistance with gardening, hosting retreat groups, office and minor maintenance projects. Tilikum has housing or you could bring your own recreational vehicle. Two recreational vehicle hook-ups are available for volunteers. Delicious meals are often available to volunteers when the kitchen is preparing meals for groups. Call to talk about your availability.
We look forward to ministering with you at Tilikum.
For more information about volunteering at Tilikum, email Dennis Littlefield/Executive Director or call Dennis at (503) 538-2763, ext. 103.
Start your Application
To start your application, you’ll need to create a simple username and password so you can save your progress and return later if needed.
As part of the application, there is a longer-form question about your spiritual journey. We encourage you to take your time with this response—consider writing it on a separate document first so you can thoughtfully reflect, edit, and then copy and paste it into the application.
Click on the button below to go to our application page!