Meet Tillamook State Forest Camp Hosts - Zoey & Taylor
Camp Hosts Zoey & Taylor
Zoey and Taylor are second and fourth generation Oregonians, respectively. Married in 2017, they share a love of music and riding dirt bikes, among many other things.
In 2023, after working in San Antonio for a few years, they decided to relocate back to Oregon. Why? "Public lands," says Taylor. "We are so fortunate in Oregon to have access to these lands to enjoy and take care of." On route, they learned about the opportunity to be camp hosts at Brown's Camp on the Tillamook State Forest. They applied and were selected for the whole 2023season.
Browns Camp is where Taylor first started riding dirt bikes at the age of seven. Shortly after marrying, he introduced Zoey to the sport, and they have since shared many special memories from riding in the Tillamook. "We've ridden a lot of trails but there is something endearing about this forest," says Taylor.
"Riding the trails takes you places you might not otherwise get to enjoy. So much variety and cool remote places," says Zoey. And with 500 miles of trails, "There's a good chance you won't see anyone else. The trails are well maintained and there are other forms of recreation out on the Tillamook."
Browns Camp attracts dirt bike riders of all skill-levels. The couple understood people wanted to have a great ride but may not know how to recreate in a way that respects the land and others. "We would connect with people by showing them the trails," says Zoey. "And from that they would appreciate and help take care of the area." Taylor adds.
The couple recall a little boy racing around the camp on his bike - he didn't want to make trouble, he just really wanted to ride. With permission from his parents, Taylor took him out for a two-hour ride. "That kid was so happy," says Taylor. "He just needed a role model."
Zoey and Taylor are not alone when it comes to wanting to care for the trails and facilities they enjoy. "There are many people who, on their own and as members of clubs, help to maintain trails and pick up trash," says Taylor. "They need to be recognized."
To the many individuals, clubs, and nonprofits who help care for our state forests, THANK YOU!
Interested in Being a Camp Host?
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is looking for Volunteer Camp Hosts for 8 campgrounds across the Tillamook, Clatsop, and Santiam State Forests for the 2024 season! Campgrounds operate from May through October with flexible scheduling opportunities to include both full-season and short-season commitments. The Tillamook Forest Center is also accepting applications for a variety of volunteer roles. To learn more, please visit the ODF Volunteer Page or
Fill out a Volunteer Camp Host application here.
Apply for Tillamook Forest Center Volunteer Positions here.
Meet Clarissa Parker
Clarissa at Lavender Festival, July 2023
new and strengthening current partnerships, supporting relationships with user groups, attending various engagement events and opportunities, working closely with the State Forests Trust of Oregon, identifying and pursuing new and diverse funding opportunities to support the program, and leading the redevelopment of the REI volunteer program.
Aside from the outdoors, Clarissa’s first love in life was music. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri to professional musician parents. Her mom taught her brother and her to play piano starting at age 5, and she later learned to play violin and sing, participating in orchestras and choirs throughout school and into college. She also grew up a competitive swimmer but eventually had to choose between sports or music. She then attended undergrad at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, double majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations, French and Francophone Studies.
Clarissa and friend at a local fundraiser, October 2023
Her first internship was with a nonprofit arts cinema during college, and after graduating, she spent a year working for a nonprofit consulting firm and moonlighting separate jobs as a barista and house staff member at a local concert venue (everyone who worked there was cooler than her). In 2018, she moved to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon, where she earned a Masters of Nonprofit Management and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management.
Clarissa hitting the slopes over the holidays
Today, she calls the Portland metro area home, where she can enjoy a mix of both urban and outdoor endeavors. She practices yoga and French every day and loves lap swimming, along with most water activities, including her newest passion, surfing. For outdoor pursuits, weekends are spent hiking, exploring Oregon’s beautiful landscapes, traveling, and, recently, skiing. As for urban pursuits, she enjoys exploring the local food and bar scene, thrifting, attending concerts, picking up her fiddle, nurturing her beloved 60+ houseplants, learning about flora, fauna, and fungi, and most recently, reviving her love for sewing. She stays active in the nonprofit community by donating and attending local fundraisers when she can. She also serves as the Board President for the Oregon Mozart Players, a small chamber orchestra based in Eugene, Oregon.
