Meet Our Team:
Amy Toornstra, Program Director
Amy has been involved with Camp Calvin since 2015. She lives in Salem, Oregon and attends Sunnyslope Christian Reformed Church where she leads the middle school youth group and helps with various other ministries. By day, Amy works as a preschool teacher at Willamette Educational School District. Amy is married to Pastor Rob of Sunnyslope Church and they have three “big kids” who were all once campers and some served as JCs. Amy’s favorite things about Camp Calvin are mentoring high school junior counselors, worship, and playing Viking’s Gold.
Ginger Teller, Counselor Director
Ginger has been involved with Camp Calvin since 2005. She lives in McMinnville, Oregon and attends Sunrise Christian Reformed Church where she leads the youth group and helps with various other ministries. Ginger claims that summer camp is her ‘heaven place’ and is honored to be a part of the Camp Calvin Leadership. Her favorite things about camp include playing with middle schoolers, worship and chapel and watching the Spirit of God at work in the lives of counselors and campers. When not at camp, Ginger maintains a busy life with her husband, three boys and working as the CFO for Rock of Ages Retirement Community.
Jessica Aksel, Activities Coordinator
Jessica Aksel is the Children & Youth Director at Oak Hills Church and has been involved with Camp Calvin as an adult since 2023, coming full circle since attending Camp Calvin as a middle schooler herself. She has an education background and has been teaching Pre-K at Oak Hills since 2013. She is surrounded by boys – her husband, dog, and two young boys, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her favorite thing about Camp Calvin is the community of connection that is built with the perfect balance of games and gospel.
Tony Koetje, Facilities Coordinator
Tony has been involved with Calvin Calvin since 1998. He lives in Gresham Oregon. He attended Parklane Christian Reformed Church where he was worked as a janitor and was helped out with different ministries. By day Tony works as a special education assistant at Centennial High School. He also coaches varsity soccer at Centennial and works as the Concession Coordinator. In his free time he likes to go to movies, sports events, working out and going on walks at night. Tony’s favorite things about camp Calvin is mentoring the kids and junior counselors, seeing the kids have a great time together worshipping, Viking’s Gold and Hector the Inspector.
A brief history of Camp Calvin
Camp Calvin began in the 1960s as a joint ministry between the Christian Reformed and the Orthodox Presbyterian Churches in the Pacific Northwest. Campers, counselors, and adult staff met at Camp White Branch in McKenzie Bridge, Oregon in the heart of the Cascades. Due to large growth, both churches chose to run separate camps. Camp Calvin had its official start in 1975 meeting at Camp Dudley located on Clear Lake in Washington a few miles beyond the summit of White Pass. The first year at Camp Dudley, Camp Calvin welcomed 75 campers and 20 staff members. After a cancellation in 1989, Camp Calvin moved to Lost Creek Village about forty miles from Yakima, Washington in 1990 where it remained for 29 years. The directors and participating churches changed over the years. However, many things stayed the same. Hundreds of middle schoolers, high school helpers, and adults experienced spiritual growth, deepening friendships and celebrating camp traditions. Camp Calvin was forced to cancel in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Like many ministries affected by the pandemic, it took some time, creativity, and new ideas to relaunch. Camp Calvin restarted in 2023 with 31 campers, 6 high schoolers and 12 adults meeting at Camp Arrah Wanna in Welches, Oregon, In 2024, Camp Calvin moved to Molalla Retreat in Molalla, Oregon where it remains today.
Camp Calvin has a rich history of adult volunteers, parents, and youth leaders caring deeply for all middle school youth. All middle schoolers regardless of their church affiliation and attendance are welcome to participate. We are grateful for the past 50 years and look forward to seeing God at work in the years to come.