Camp Fire
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1910
- HeadquartersKansas City, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Camp Fire does
Camp Fire is an independent, private nonprofit headquartered in Kansas City, United States, and founded in 1910. It delivers school-year, teen service and leadership, camp, and outdoor education programs for youth ages 5-18 through local affiliates; current organizational material describes 42 affiliates in 22 states plus Washington, D.C.
Technology is an enabling layer rather than the core product. Camp Fire reports no app, API, SDK, MCP integration, AI modalities, patents, or proprietary software architecture; its primary intellectual property is structured youth-development programming, including the research-backed Camp Fire Journey framework.
The organization is funded through foundation grants, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, variable program fees, and youth-led product fundraising. Programs are distributed through affiliates, schools, community centers, dedicated camps, online donation channels, and youth sellers, with scholarships and need-based assistance used to maintain access.
Camp Fire firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Camp Fire
- Legal name
- Camp Fire National Headquarters
- Website
- https://campfire.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1910
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Camp Fire industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Programs and Camps
- NAICS
- Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI), Arts & Design Camps (Visual Arts, Crafts, Design Thinking) (EDAMALAH), STEM & Science Camps (Biology, Chemistry, Space, Lab Science) (EDAMALAC), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)
Keywords
Where Camp Fire is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kansas City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Camp Fire business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants: Major grants from foundations such as Lilly Endowment ($10M five-year grant), Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (CAMPER initiative grants), and American Camp Association ($75,000 Character at Camp grant). These grants fund specific programs, capacity building, and strategic initiatives.
- Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals, including one-time gifts, monthly giving, and legacy/bequest donations. The organization promotes various giving methods including donor advised funds, appreciated securities, and vehicle donations.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships and contributions from companies like AT&T ($750,000 contribution), 3M, Northrop Grumman, and others. These partnerships often include both financial support and in-kind contributions for specific programs.
- Product Fundraising Sales: Sale of fundraising products through youth. Currently through exclusive partnership with Puyallup Chocolates (Native-owned chocolate brand), where youth sell products to fund Camp Fire programs while learning entrepreneurship skills.
- Program Fees: Fees for participation in various Camp Fire programs including camps, afterschool programs, and leadership programs. Need-based financial assistance and scholarships are available to ensure accessibility.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Camp Fire product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Camp Fire is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit that delivers youth development programs for children and teens ages 5-18, including school-year after-school clubs, teen service and leadership programs, and overnight/day camps with outdoor education. Programs are delivered through a network of 44 local affiliates operating 1,300 program sites across 24 states and Washington, D.C., serving more than 100,000 youth and families annually with a research-backed curriculum centered on character development and connecting youth to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves.
Product overview
Camp Fire is a national youth development nonprofit offering a comprehensive suite of programs connecting young people to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves. The organization operates through three core program areas: School Year Programs (after-school and club programs offering STEM, health & well-being, and community development), Teen Service & Leadership Programs (including Teens in Action, WoHeLo Award, and National Youth Advisory Cabinet), and Camps & Outdoor Education (overnight camps, day camps, and environmental education). Camp Fire also operates youth fundraising initiatives including Puyallup Chocolates and the annual Absolutely Incredible Kid Day celebration. The CAMPER Initiative focuses on accessibility and inclusion for historically excluded youth populations. Programs serve youth ages 5-18 across 42 affiliates in 22 states and Washington, D.C., reaching over 102,000 youth and families annually through 851 program sites.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Puyallup Chocolates Partnership: Native-owned chocolate brand sold as a youth-led fundraiser through exclusive partnership with Puyallup Tribal Enterprises, launching January-February 2026.
- CAMPER Initiative
- Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
- The Camp Fire Journey
- CAMPER 3.0
Quantifiable outcome
- 94% of youth feel happy, heard, and supported in Camp Fire
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Camp Fire
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Camp Fire technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Camp Fire partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- AT&TmajorCamp Fire and AT&T partnered to give away more than 2,500 laptops nationwide as part of Absolutely Incredible Kid Day 2026, celebrated on March 19, 2026. Laptops distributed through Camp Fire affiliates in 23 states and Washington, D.C., prioritizing communities with greatest need.
- Puyallup ChocolatescoreExclusive partnership with the Native-owned Puyallup Chocolates to sell chocolate as a youth-led fundraiser launching January-February 2026. Features four signature products with proceeds funding Camp Fire programs while teaching youth goal setting, public speaking, money management, and entrepreneurship skills.
- AT&TcoreAT&T contributed $750,000 to expand collaboration with Camp Fire, focusing on bridging the digital divide and providing STEM skills and digital literacy programs. The expanded initiative reaches more than 40,000 young people across 19 affiliates in 13 states through six program areas including STEM education, teen leadership pathways, and digital well-being.
- Alliance for Camp HealthmajorExpanded strategic partnership to advance well-being for young people across the U.S. through data-driven care models, trusted partnership, and inclusive, nature-based programming.
- S'more SummerminorPartner in CAMPER 3.0 initiative to complete assessment of existing policies, practices, and communication to deepen focus on participation of Black, Indigenous, and Youth of Color.
- National Indian Education AssociationminorConsulting partner in CAMPER 3.0 to support affiliates in learning about strengths campers and families bring, connection between wellbeing and outdoors among Black and Latino communities, and welcoming more Native youth to overnight camp.
- Justice OutsideminorConsulting partner in CAMPER 3.0 providing expertise on outdoor programming equity and access for underrepresented communities.
- Coaching Peace ConsultingminorPartnered with Camp Fire councils to reimagine popular camp games with all abilities in mind and develop staff training resources focusing on culturally responsive programming.
- Hatchuel Tabernik & Associates (HTA)minorAnnual program evaluation partner that measures Camp Fire's program results and impact metrics including youth outcomes and program effectiveness.
- AlgorhythmminorExpert in youth development program evaluation that helped Camp Fire explore program impact and develop the Camp Fire Journey program framework.
- 3MminorCorporate partner displayed on Camp Fire website partner section.
- Northrop GrummanminorCorporate partner displayed on Camp Fire website partner section.
Scale indicators21 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Camp Fire competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit operating an affiliate network delivering afterschool, summer, and camp programs to school-age youth; closest direct comparable in mission, affiliate model, and target demographic.
- Girl Scouts of the USA: Centennial-plus youth organization with a national affiliate structure, signature camp/resort properties, leadership programming, and a youth-led product fundraising model (cookies) that closely mirrors Camp Fire's model.
- Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America): Historic national youth organization with camps, outdoor education, character development curriculum, and chartered local councils operating in a structurally similar affiliate model.
- YMCA of the USA: Federated nonprofit offering youth development, camp, afterschool, and outdoor programming through a national network of independent local associations, comparable in scale, mission, and delivery model.
- National 4-H Council: National youth development nonprofit delivering STEM, leadership, and outdoor/camping programs through Cooperative Extension and local clubs, comparable in mission, geographic model, and youth outcomes orientation.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit with an affiliate network serving at-risk youth through structured relationships; comparable in nonprofit funding mix, donor model, and youth outcomes measurement.
- Outward Bound USA: National nonprofit delivering experiential outdoor education and character development programs for youth and adults, directly comparable in outdoor/camping pedagogy and youth outcomes focus.
- Police Athletic League: National youth development nonprofit providing afterschool, sports, and camp programming to underserved youth through a network of local affiliates; comparable in mission, target demographic, and community-based delivery.
- Fresh Air Fund: Nonprofit providing free summer camp and host-family experiences to NYC youth, comparable in mission (camp-based youth development) and reliance on donor and corporate funding.
Emerging players
- NatureBridge: National nonprofit delivering outdoor science and environmental education programs for youth in national parks; overlapping in outdoor education mission and youth outcomes orientation, but smaller and more place-based.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Camp Fire social profiles
Digital presenceCamp Fire financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Camp Fire leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Camp Fire funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Camp Fire M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Camp Fire
What does Camp Fire do?
Camp Fire is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit that delivers youth development programs for children and teens ages 5-18, including school-year after-school clubs, teen service and leadership programs, and overnight/day camps with outdoor education. Programs are delivered through a network of 44 local affiliates operating 1,300 program sites across 24 states and Washington, D.C., serving more than 100,000 youth and families annually with a research-backed curriculum centered on character development and connecting youth to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves.
Is Camp Fire a public or private company?
Camp Fire is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Camp Fire founded?
Camp Fire was founded in 1910. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Camp Fire based?
Camp Fire is headquartered in Kansas City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Camp Fire make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, corporate Partnerships, product Fundraising Sales and program Fees.
Who are Camp Fire's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America), YMCA of the USA, National 4-H Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Outward Bound USA, Police Athletic League and Fresh Air Fund. NatureBridge is listed as an emerging player.
Does Camp Fire have an API?
No public API is recorded for Camp Fire.
What industry is Camp Fire in?
Camp Fire's product category is Youth Development Programs and Camps. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMALAA, Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports), with a secondary code of EDAMALAO, Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills). Its NAICS code is 721214 and its SIC code is 8200.