Camp Fire

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.

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

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

• Youth development programs
• Outdoor education camps
• Teen leadership programs
• After-school enrichment
• Character development youth

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• AT&TmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 February 2026Camp 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 ChocolatescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2025Exclusive 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&TcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 September 2025AT&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 HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2025Expanded 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 SummerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner 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 AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting 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 OutsideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner in CAMPER 3.0 providing expertise on outdoor programming equity and access for underrepresented communities.
• Coaching Peace ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual program evaluation partner that measures Camp Fire's program results and impact metrics including youth outcomes and program effectiveness.
• AlgorhythmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert in youth development program evaluation that helped Camp Fire explore program impact and develop the Camp Fire Journey program framework.
• 3MminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner displayed on Camp Fire website partner section.
• Northrop GrummanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner displayed on Camp Fire website partner section.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CampFireNational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camp-fire
• Facebookfacebook.com/CampFireNHQ
• Instagraminstagram.com/campfirenational
• Xx.com/campfirenhq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Camp Fire