Camp Colton Celebrates Oregon’s Bigleaf Maple Harvest With Fourth Annual Maple Dinner
Annual forest-to-table gathering returns November 7, offering guests a taste of Camp Colton’s own maple harvest and other ways to experience the season
As Oregon’s Bigleaf Maple Trees enter the beginning of maple tapping season, Stelo Arts and Camp Colton will celebrate the region’s unique maple harvest with their fourth annual Bigleaf Maple Dinner on Saturday, November 7. Set within Camp Colton’s 85-acre forest sanctuary, the intimate evening will bring together local food, Oregon maple syrup, nature and community for a five-course family-style dinner featuring maple syrup harvested directly from Camp Colton’s own maple trees.
Guests enjoy a magical setting at the Camp Colton's Bigleaf Maple Dinner.
The dinner also highlights Camp Colton’s ongoing partnership with the Oregon Maple Project, a separate nonprofit that operates at Camp Colton through Stelo’s Space to Share program, which provides nonprofits and community organizations with access to the land and facilities at a highly subsidized rate. Proceeds from the seasonal dinners help support the program and expand access to other organizations. Through the partnership, guests will have the opportunity to experience the maple-making process from tree to table, beginning with a visit to the onsite Sugar Shack and a maple sugaring walkthrough led by the Oregon Maple Project.
“The Oregon Maple Project is honored to tap Bigleaf maples in Camp Colton’s beautiful forests and host maple sugaring events in such a special place,” said Eliza Nelson, founder of the Oregon Maple Project. “We’re also grateful to collaborate with Stelo Arts on the annual Bigleaf Maple Dinner, which brings together our shared appreciation for these forests while supporting the Space to Share program.”
At Camp Colton, the getaway starts when you arrive. Stay among the trees in a cozy cabin, rustic, fully furnished yurt or campsite with trails, a pond and plenty of room to unplug. Discover what it's like to spend the night in this article.
Experience maple-making from tree to table with a visit to the Sugar Shack and a maple sugaring walkthrough led by the Oregon Maple Project.
Following the Sugar Shack tour, guests will participate in a Deep Listening Workshop with artist Megan Chin, designed to deepen their connection to the surrounding natural environment before transitioning into cocktail hour and dinner. The evening will continue with a curated cocktail hour with appetizers, followed by a five-course family-style dinner with live music, dessert and raffle prizes.
The culinary experience will be led by Camp Colton chef Aron Warren, whose cooking draws inspiration from the Pacific Northwest and its seasonal bounty. Originally from Wyoming and Montana, Warren brings a deep appreciation for the outdoors to his cooking, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and rustic, seasonal cuisine. For the Bigleaf Maple Dinner, he will create a menu inspired by the Bigleaf maple trees growing throughout Camp Colton’s forest.
The Bigleaf Maple Dinner takes place from 3-9pm on Saturday, November 7, at Camp Colton, located approximately 45 minutes southeast of Portland. Guests looking to extend the experience can also stay overnight in Camp Colton’s forest accommodations, with a special 30% discount on Hipcamp lodging available for dinner guests.
(Photos courtesy of Oregon Maple Project and Camp Colton)
