Best Oregon Sailing Camps Summer 2024 Directory

CAMP FACILITIES: Tilikum's Illahee Retreat Center provides hotel-style accommodations for up to 60 guests with comfortable meeting and dining rooms. Our rustic tent campsite, Northridge accommodates up to 56 guests in platform tents with a covered meeting area and amphitheater fire pit. We have a multipurpose building, the Fawver Center, which accommodates up to 125 guests in a variety of ways and includes a single-basketball court, Rock Wall and fire pit.

A Century-old Schoolhouse sits on top the hillside providing a great opportunity for teachers and children to explore and learn together, in an old-school setting. The 15-acre lake with the 93 acres provides groups with many outdoor recreation activities, customizable to meet your needs.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Tilikum differentiate ourselves by providing outstanding service, a serene setting and a safe environment. We are member of the American Camp Association and Christian Camp and Conference Association where policies, procedures and standards are implemented to ensure great programming and safety for everyone.

Each Challenge Course facilitator is carefully trained for leadership and safety on the challenge course, providing your group with the highest quality experiential adventure. All facilitators hold a current certification recognized by the Association for Challenge Course Technology. Our Camp Program Director thoroughly interviews and reviews references for each Summer Staff team member. They train altogether onsite for two-weeks to enhance the skills, learn new ones and form a unity amongst themselves which builds the wonderful Day Camp, and Adventure Camp programs that we have had for over 30 years.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: Applications are accepted for Summer Staff,year-round. The recruiting process begins in January and hiring is finalized by Spring Break (late March). Contact our Camp Program Director, Mandy Schmidt for further details.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Camp Tilikum's Camper Scholarships are provided by donations from Friends of Tilikum. Camper Scholarships applications can be requested through our Camp Registrar.

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): Tilikum Center for Retreats and Outdoor Ministries sponsors 6 family-oriented retreats: Mother & Daughter (May), Father & Son (June,optional 2nd weekend), Single Mom's Family Camp (July), Father & Daughter (August), Mother & Son (August).

Each retreat offers the parents and child(ren) opportunities to enhance relationships through scripture learning, outdoor recreation activities and just being in the presence of one another for a weekend.

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: Camp Tilikum has year-round Retreat Center and conference meeting with hotel-style accommodations for up to 60 guests. Our rustic tent campsite is open June - September and accommodates up to 56 guests with the option to have meals catered or you provide your own. Our challenge course is an excellent teaching tool for many groups.

We customize your program to fit the specific goals and needs of your group, enabling you to get the most out of your experience. Summer camps run June-August for 10 weeks providing an experience in outdoor creation, building community, encountering God and transforming lives of children and adults (grades 1st to 12th).

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
We look forward to introducing ourselves to you further, please visit us at Our Camp Website Link: www.camptilikum.org.

CAMP FACILITIES: Big Lake Youth Camp's lakefront property is a pristine and convenient location for activities of all types. Just steps from our Lodge is the lake where campers get to experience aquatic activities such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, swimming, canoeing and much more! An archery range, ball field and horse corral are tucked away among the many fir trees that surround the Camp. Our over 20 rustic A-frame cabins provide a comfortable place to rest after a day of outdoor adventure.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: REG Camps:
REGular Camps are the core of what we do. Imagine seven action packed days of fun and learning at our main camp on the shores of Big Lake. Days are filled with excitement, challenge, reflection and loads of friends, both new and old. Campers experience the best of what Big Lake has done for over 50 years … creating fun and building kids. REG Campers sign up for a primary activity they focus on each morning, Monday-Friday, and they rotate with their cabin mates through the other activities we offer each afternoon.

RAD Camps:
For those seeking extra moments of awesomeness, RAD Camps go beyond our REG Camp program, offering you both an on and off-site experience. Sign up for a RAD Camp and spend all day doing what you love! With your mornings and afternoons spent conquering your RAD Camp of choice, you are sure to learn some great new skills. Whether it’s on water, wheel, stone, or stallion, you’re in for an intense week of fun! RAD Camps are for teenagers 13-17 years of age.

Adventure Camp:
This REG Camps is designed to introduce younger children into the world of summer camping. Adventure camp offers a slower pace and the week is a little shorter. Adventure campers get a taste of everything Big Lake is about. Instead of selecting one primary activity, your camper will get to try them all!

Abba's Child:
This free week of camp is specifically designed for kids who have experienced the death of an immediate family member in the recent past. Abba’s Child campers get to hang out with other kids who know what they are going through, participate in support-based counseling, and get to experience many of the awesome activities Big Lake offers. Whether you would like to nominate someone to attend, or donate to keep this camp going, we’d love to hear from you. Our goal for Abba's Child is to offer a place where kids can meet others experiencing similar emotions, receive accepting support from professionals, and have a blast at camp.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: RAD to Staff:
Big Lake Youth Camp's RAD to Staff program is designed specifically for teens ages 15-17. As a RAD to Staff camper, teens are given special leadership training while experiencing one of our awesome RAD Camp activities alongside fellow campers. Through mentorship with a Big Lake Youth Camp staff member, RAD to Staff campers will develop valuable leadership skills and knowledge. Upon successful completion of the RAD to Staff program, campers will be given a certificate of achievement. If you are interested in working at Big Lake Youth Camp someday, participation in this program is recommended because it helps you see what it takes to work at Big Lake and it allows our staff to get to know you in a unique and important way.

Counselor in Training (CIT):
As a Counselor in Training you will be assigned to assist one of our amazing Big Lake counselors with their cabin of 7-9 year old campers. This camp will give you the incredible opportunity to observe and experience first-hand what is involved in being a camp counselor. The focus of this camp is learning what it takes to be a staff member in charge of supervising campers. We hope as a CIT you will learn skills that can be used throughout your life and enable you to work more effectively with children.

Staff in Training (SIT):
As a SUT you will have the opportunity to observe and try out a number of staff positions including instructor of land activities (examples: art, digital photography, drama, survival adventures), instructor of water activities (examples: swimming, canoeing, waterskiing), office/headquarters staff and maintenance staff. SITs are not able to observe camp counselors. Please sign up for the CIT camp if you would like to experience being a counselor. SIT campers are asked what type of job they are interested in, and they are able to try it out! We hope this camp will help you learn life skills such as organization, work ethic, personability, and effective child communication. Have fun while you work side by side with Big Lake staff as your mentors.

Wrangler in Training (WIT):
Experience the fun of camp while learning what it would be like to work at Big Lake! As a Wrangler in Training you will have the opportunity to shadow and work with Big Lake’s awesome wranglers and beautiful horses. You will be able to assist Big Lake’s wranglers as they teach campers in our horsemanship program. If you are passionate about horses and are interested in working at Big Lake someday, this camp is a great fit for you because it allows our staff to get to know you and your skills! Please note that some basic horse experience is required for this camp.

*NOTE: Participation in the RAD to Staff, CIT, SIT and WIT programs does not guarantee a future position as a Big Lake Staff Member. However, participation is encouraged if you are interested in working at Big Lake Youth Camp because it helps you understand what it is like to work at Camp, it demonstrates your interest in working at Camp and it allows Big Lake's staff to get to know you and observe your skills and work ethic.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Campership Funds:
Kids come first at Big Lake and we believe no child should be turned away due to financial need. Our Campership Fund, made possible through donations, is available to families seeking financial assistance. Those who qualify to receive a Campership Scholarship can attend one of our REG Camps, including Adventure Camp, for a discounted price. Funds are limited, so please apply early.

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): Family Camp
Family Camp is a great and affordable way to enjoy nature, experience outdoor activities, and reconnect with your family. Get the total camp experience without the stress of organizing activities or cooking meals. Stay in one of our A-frame cabins and enjoy awesome activities on our main campus such as waterskiing, canoeing, archery, art, horsemanship and more at this 5-day camp.

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: Big Lake Youth Camp rents to the public mid-September to mid-November and mid-December through the first weekend in April. We do not rent to the public April-August as we run our own summer camp program. Please visit our rentals page at Our Camp Website Link: biglake.org and send us an email if you have questions.

OTHER CAMP INFO: Building relationships, learning new skills, and having fun in a positive environment has been Big Lake's goal since 1962. Each summer our carefully selected staff lead hundreds of young people on a seven-day journey of adventure. A week at Big Lake provides campers with the environment and the opportunity to gain better self-awareness, set and achieve goals, and have a blast. Our Christ-centered program illustrates that faith in action is fun!

Big Lake Youth Camp operates under a special use permit with the Willamette National Forest and is an equal opportunity outdoor recreation service provider. Big Lake Youth Camp strives to operate in a professional way and is held accountable in this goal through its membership in the Association of Adventist Camp Professionals (AACP), Christian Camp & Conference Association (CCCA), and its accreditation by the American Camping Association (ACA).

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
For session dates and fees please visit our website: Our Camp Website Link: www.biglake.org

CAMP FACILITIES: Overnight camp locations at Windy Peak & Mt. Evans are in gorgeous locations in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado.

Our facilities have the look and feel of the quintessential sleep-away camp, complete with great and healthy food, comfortable lodging and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure. Camper loging are all single-sex and staff supervised. Our Head Chef has an advanced culinary degree and a passion for healthy eating, oversees a professional staff that cooks up delicious meals and accommodates food allergies and other dietary requests (such as vegan and gluten-free).

We also have teen travel Expedition programs for 5th-12th graders where campers sleep in tents every night and adventure every day with drop off locations in Boulder, Colorado and Orinda, California.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Avid4 Adventure offers multi-sport day camps along the front range in Colorado and the Bay Area in California, as well as overnight camps and Teen Leadership Programs in Bailey & Evergreen, Colorado. Camps are fun and inspiring with activities that include Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Kayaking, Canoeing & much more!

Overnight camps also include Whitewater Rafting, Fly Fishing, Whitewater Rafting, Archery, Tree Climbing, Horseback Riding and Backpacking Expeditions. Day Camps for grades Pre-K-5th grade, Overnight Camp for grades 1st-8th and Teen Leadership Training for grades 9-12th. Please visit Our Camp Website Link: avid4.com for more information.

American Camp Association Accredited.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: Staff-in-Training programs

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Avid4 Adventure is accepting application to our Financial Assistance program: Our Camp Website Link: avid4.com

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Please visit our website at Our Camp Website Link: avid4.com to see specific details regarding dates and times.

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
We are seeking applicants that have a passion for kids and interests & experience in some or all of the following activities: hiking, biking, rock climbing, SUPing, canoeing, kayaking, overnight expeditions and outdoor education.

We were voted to the Outside Magazine Bests Place to Work for four years in a row!

Working with Avid4 Adventure, you will help inspire budding outdoor enthusiasts and become part of an incredible team of adventurers. Each summer, we hire Instructors, Camp Leadership, Facilities and Kitchen staff. 

Check out all available positions at our Avid4 Adventure Jobs page, and click through to our Online Application at Our Camp Website Link: avid4.com.