Tilikum Summer Camps

Summer Day Camp programs for 1st – 8th grades.

Unplug from technology, experience creation, establish friendships, and connect with God

Every summer, over 1,500 kids come to experience the awe and wonder of God’s creation on Tilikum’s 93 acres of timber, hiking trails, grassy meadows and pristine lake. Tilikum offers exciting camps for elementary and middle school kids. A week at Camp Tilikum removes your child from the ever present draw of technical devices. Face-to-face encounters with staff and new friends help develop social skills. Activities like hiking, swimming, canoeing and archery teach new life skills that can last a lifetime. Creative skits, silly songs, and “trail talk” offer biblical truths and encourage kids to hear what God is saying to them personally. A well-trained and capable staff of young adults look for ways to build community within each camper group.

2023 Summer Camp schedule

Summer Day Camps run Monday-Friday, 8:45 am – 3:30 pm during the following weeks.

Week 1 – June 12 – 16 – Home School Week. At least a $60 discount.  [LEARN MORE]

Week 2 – June 19 – 23

Week 3 – June 26 – 30

Week 4 – July 3, 5- 8 – Independence Week. At least a $60 discount due to a shortened (4-day) week. No camp July 4.

Week 5 – July 10 – 14

Week 6 – July 17 – 21

Week 7 – July 24 – 28

Week 8 – July 31 – August 4

Day Camps for kids entering 1st – 6th grades

Learn more about Day Camps.  [LEARN MORE]

QUEST Adventure Day Camps for teens entering 6th – 8th grades

Learn more about QUEST Adventure Camps.  [LEARN MORE]

Consider the Family Camp option

Enjoy a complete week of family vacation at Camp for a maximum of $1,100!

No driving!—perfect for out-of-town families of Day Camp or QUEST kids. Families are housed and fed at Tilikum Lodge. Go hiking, shopping, or spend time sharing/talking at the Lodge.  [LEARN MORE]

Before you register online, you must contact Crystal Headrick/Camp Registrar to receive the package discount.

Family Weekends

Build family relationships at a Family Weekend.

Tilikum offers a variety of Family Weekends that offer families an ideal opportunity to experience spiritual and relational renewal. Activities include meals together, speaker and worship sessions, waterfront activities (canoeing, swimming and fishing), nature hikes, Challenge Course activities, and crafts. Tilikum’s pastoral setting, group and individual activities, and the presence of God create an ideal opportunity to experience life side-by-side.  [LEARN MORE]

Important Information

Camp staff and safety

Camper groups: The average adult to camper ratio is 6:1. Campers are carefully divided into age-appropriate groups of 10-14 that stay together for the duration of the week. Each group is led by carefully trained college-age Tilikum staff and either a high school Tilikum staff or a volunteer counselor.

Quality Staff: Tilikum staff are selected for their desire and ability to work with children, and their personal faith. They receive an intensive 2 weeks training and remain paid staff for the entire summer. Staff are specifically trained in program safety (first aid, life-guarding, challenge course) and spiritual/personal development.

​Health and Safety: Safety is our first priority. Tilikum has been accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA) since 1977, and to maintain this certification undergoes a thorough review of operations (up to 300 standards), from staff qualification and training to emergency management. These are a few of the many safety requirements:

• All staff are trained in first aid/CPR and emergency water safety.
• The waterfront is supervised by American Red Cross-certified lifeguards.
• Challenge Course staff are trained to the standards of the Association for Challenge Course Technology.
• A Health Manager is on site during Camp hours.

Group registrations

Groups of 10 or more receive special group pricing and a streamlined check-in. For more information about bringing a group to Summer Camp, visit the Group Coordinator page, email Dennis Littlefield/Acting Camp Program Director, or call Dennis at (503) 538-2763 ext. 103.

Individual registrations

To register as an individual, use the online registration system. For questions about registering online, email Crystal Headrick/Camp Registrar.

Cost of camp

Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, Tilikum offers a three-tier fee program. Tiered pricing is intended to help families recognize the full cost of camp and then select the level that is most suitable for their family circumstances. By choosing to pay the full cost of camp, Tilikum is able to offer financial assistance to families that need it.

Tax credit: Did you know that you can use the Child Care Tax Credit for Day Camp?

Summer Camp scholarships are available for families who qualify.  [LEARN MORE]

Family Night

Registered for Day Camp or QUEST? Pack your own picnic dinner and join us on the Thursday night of Camp for a look inside your camper’s week!

Thursday afternoon schedule is as follows:

     3:45PM – Arrive at Tilikum and eat your family picnic somewhere on the grounds.
     4:15PM – Head to the Fawver Center
     4:30PM – Program begins in the Fawver Center
     5:00PM – 6:00PM – Camp “free choice” activities (canoes, Big Swing and barn animals)

Tilikum Summer Camp video

Summer Camp photos

Parents: To get to the Summer Camp photos archive [CLICK HERE].

Related pages

• Expectations and what to bring for Day Camp (1st – 6th grades) [CLICK HERE]
  
• Expectations and what to bring for QUEST Adventure Camp (6th – 8th grades) [CLICK HERE]
• Group Coordinator information for churches bringing kids to camp [CLICK HERE]
• Invest in the lives of young people as a Volunteer Counselor. [CLICK HERE]