Backyard Basecamp
Backyard Basecamp is a Baltimore-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that (re)connects Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to local food, land, and nature through culturally relevant environmental education, youth programs, and urban farming at its 10-acre BLISS Meadows site.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Backyard Basecamp does
Backyard Basecamp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 84-3528011) founded in 2017 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, that (re)connects Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to local food, land, and nature in Baltimore through culturally relevant environmental education. The organization operates BLISS Meadows (Baltimore Living in Sustainable Simplicity), a 10-acre land-reclamation project in Northeast Baltimore's Frankford neighborhood that integrates a 7-acre abandoned city park, 2.5 acres of farmland with two freshwater ponds (donated in 2022), and a 0.5-acre farmhouse headquarters renovated at a total cost of approximately $1 million. Founder and Executive Director Atiya Wells, a former pediatric nurse, leads a staff of 11–50 spanning operations, youth programs, facilities, farming, herbal education, and environmental outreach.
The organization's core offerings span educational programs and on-site agricultural production. Programs include Youth Camps (Day Off, Spring, Summer, Woodworking), a Nature Preschool launching for Fall 2026, Habitat Discovery school partnerships, a 9-month Naturalist Training cohort, animal tracking certification through Tracker Certification of North America, and an Urban Farming Certificate delivered in partnership with the Community College of Baltimore County. Production capabilities include an intensively farmed market garden, a 29+ colony on-site apiary (since 2021), mushroom cultivation on logs (inoculated Fall 2024), a medicinal herb garden, and an orchard of 50+ trees and shrubs. Capital projects underway include a stormwater management ecological-infrastructure system (pending Baltimore City permit) and an Education Center and greenhouse in Phase II design.
Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: donations (one-time, monthly recurring, appreciated stock, bequests, planned giving, plus a $15,000 endowment established in 2024), program fees (camp tuition, preschool, certificate courses), agricultural product sales (produce, honey, herbs, plus a Flower and Fresh Herb CSA pilot for the 2026 season), space rental at BLISS Meadows for events and workshops, and consulting and speaking engagements. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on grassroots word-of-mouth, volunteer networks, school partnerships, and an email newsletter via Network for Good; a "no one turned away" policy and a Dragonflies Fund scholarship mitigate financial barriers for program participation.
Backyard Basecamp firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Backyard Basecamp
- Legal name
- Backyard Basecamp, Inc.
- Website
- https://backyardbasecamp.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Backyard Basecamp is a Baltimore-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that (re)connects Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to local food, land, and nature through culturally relevant environmental education, youth programs, and urban farming at its 10-acre BLISS Meadows site.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Backyard Basecamp industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Education Services
- NAICS
- Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Eco-Camps & Sustainable Camping Retreats (THAGAOAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Eco/Nature-Based Campgrounds (Sustainable/Off-Grid) (THAMAJAK)
Keywords
Where Backyard Basecamp is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Backyard Basecamp business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Backyard Basecamp operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 84-3528011). They receive donations through one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, appreciated stock gifts, bequests, and planned giving. They also have an endowment fund established with a $15,000 gift from a major donor.
- Program Fees: Revenue from educational programs including youth camps, naturalist training, urban farming certificate courses, animal tracking certification, and nature preschool tuition.
- Agricultural Product Sales: Sales of hyper-locally produced vegetables, herbs, flowers, honey, and wax products. In 2026, they are piloting a flower and fresh herb CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).
- Space Rental: BLISS Meadows is rented out for gatherings, workshops, meetings, and classes. The venue serves as a revenue-generating community space.
- Consulting Services: From program planning to green space design, the organization works with partners to bring their vision to fruition.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Naturalist Training - 9-month cohort program |
| Subscription | Annual | Flower and Fresh Herb CSA - 2026 Season Pilot |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Volunteer Program |
| Subscription | Monthly | Nature Preschool at BLISS Meadows |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Annual Events |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Space Rental at BLISS Meadows |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
Backyard Basecamp product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Backyard Basecamp operates BLISS Meadows, a 10-acre reclaimed urban land in Baltimore, as a hub for environmental education, regenerative urban agriculture, and nature-based youth programs for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. The organization delivers fee-based youth camps, a nature preschool, school partnerships, adult naturalist and urban farming certifications, and community events, alongside direct sales of locally produced honey, herbs, produce, and flowers through a CSA. It also provides consulting and speaking services focused on equity in the environmental movement.
Product overview
Backyard Basecamp is a nonprofit environmental education organization operating primarily through BLISS Meadows, a 10-acre urban land-reclamation project in Baltimore. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs including urban farming operations producing seasonal vegetables, herbs, flowers, and honey; youth camps (Day Off, Spring, Summer, and Woodworking camps); habitat discovery school partnerships; naturalist training; animal tracking certification; and an upcoming outdoor nature preschool. Additional programs include space rental, consulting services, speaking engagements, and community events. The organization operates the Seed Hub for seed distribution and maintains an apiary with 29+ honeybee colonies. Major infrastructure projects include a renovated farmhouse headquarters and an Education Center currently in Phase II design.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BLISS Meadows: Baltimore Living in Sustainable Simplicity - a 10-acre land-reclamation project at the intersection of environmental and food justice in Northeast Baltimore
- Dragonflies Fund
Products and services
- Youth Nature Camps Multi-day, seasonally scheduled nature immersion camps held at BLISS Meadows for BIPOC children who have historically had little or no exposure to fishing, camping, and outdoor exploration. Designed to introduce Baltimore-area youth to urban farming, pollinators, and outdoor recreation in a culturally grounded environment.
- Nature Preschool Tuition-based nature preschool delivered at BLISS Meadows for young children (approximately ages 3–5), with planting, pollinator, and exploration activities led by the Youth Programs team.
- Habitat Discovery Program (Baltimore City Public Schools) Classroom- and outdoor-based environmental literacy program that brings immersive, hands-on curriculum into Baltimore City Public Schools, with content anchored in the BLISS Meadows work around urban farming, pollinator gardens, and food access. Targeted at elementary-grade learners (preK–5).
- Backyard Naturalist Certification Adult certification program covering entomology, ornithology, and vertebrate/invertebrate species, with the option to extend into a Master Backyard Naturalist credential. Delivered on-site at BLISS Meadows.
- Certificate in Bird-Friendly Habitat Adult certification in creating bird-friendly habitats, delivered in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation. Aims to enable participants to certify their own or community spaces as wildlife habitats.
- Urban Farming Certificate (with CCBC) Adult certificate program in urban farming delivered in partnership with the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), covering foundational techniques for growing food in urban environments.
- Animal Tracking Certification Certification course in animal tracking, structured around three sequential modules: awareness, identification, and tracking, delivered at the BLISS Meadows site.
- Event Space Rentals On-site rental of the BLISS Meadows grounds and the historic stone farmhouse for birthdays, family gatherings, weddings, and corporate events.
- Consulting and Speaking Engagements Consulting engagements and keynote/panel speaking services — led by founder Atiya Wells — for nonprofits, conferences, and organizations working at the intersection of equity and the environmental movement.
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Subscription-based CSA program for produce grown at BLISS Meadows, with on-site pickup supporting food access for the local Baltimore community.
- Apiary Products (Honey, Wax, Propolis) Direct-sale hive products including honey, wax, and propolis harvested from the on-site BLISS Meadows apiary, plus candles derived from the same materials.
- Medicinal Herb Garden Products Herbal products cultivated and processed from the BLISS Meadows medicinal herb garden, complementing the herbal education program.
- Flower Subscription (Flower CSA) Subscription-based flower CSA delivering seasonal bouquets grown at BLISS Meadows, complementing the produce CSA offerings.
- Tree Baltimore Nursery Saplings Free or low-cost tree saplings grown at the on-site Tree Baltimore nursery for distribution to community members.
- Seed Hub Community Seed Distribution Free, year-round community seed distribution program that provides seeds for home gardens, supporting local food sovereignty in Baltimore.
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully raised $60K+ in less than 30 days via GoFundMe for farmhouse purchase
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Backyard Basecamp
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Backyard Basecamp technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Backyard Basecamp partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Cooperative Gardens CommissioncoreSince 2020, partnered to collect and distribute seeds to community members. Backyard Basecamp serves as a hub for budding gardeners in need of seeds.
- Johnny's Selected SeedsminorSeed supplier for urban farming operations
- Fedco SeedsminorSeed supplier for urban farming operations
- Experimental Seed CompanyminorSeed supplier for urban farming operations
- High Mowing Organic SeedminorSeed supplier for urban farming operations
- Seven Springs FarmminorSeed supplier for urban farming operations
- Southern Exposure Seed ExchangeminorSeed supplier for urban farming operations
- University of Maryland ExtensioncorePartner organization supporting urban farming and agricultural education
- The National Wildlife FederationcorePartner supporting pollinator habitat and urban wildlife initiatives
- The Bee ConservancycorePartner supporting local beekeeping and pollinator efforts
- The Farmers Land TrustcoreCollaboration since 2024 to support landowners in achieving generational stewardship goals and establish Chesapeake Farmland Commons through a 501(c)(25) entity for regenerative agriculture in perpetuity
- Million Acre Challenge | Board of Soil StewardsminorPartner organization supporting soil health and sustainable agriculture
- Design Develop LLCminorArchitecture firm for farmhouse renovation project
- CityScape EngineersminorCivil engineering firm for farmhouse renovation and stormwater management projects
- Simpson, Gumpertz, and HegerminorStructural engineering firm for farmhouse renovation project
- F4 CollaborationsminorMechanical, fire, and plumbing engineering for farmhouse renovation
- Urban Built, LLCminorGeneral contractor for farmhouse renovation project
- Underwood and AssociatesminorPartner for stormwater management project
- Synrgy Solutions, LLCminorPartner for stormwater management project
- Tracker Certification of North AmericacorePartner for animal tracking training and certification programs at BLISS Meadows
- Community College of Baltimore CountycorePartner for Urban Farming Certificate program through CCBC Sustainable Horticulture Program. Upon successful course completion, students earn a certificate from CCBC.
- The Greener GardenminorPartner organization supporting urban farming initiatives
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Backyard Basecamp competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Real Food Farm: Baltimore-based urban farm operated by Civic Works that produces vegetables on city land for local food access. Closest comparable in Baltimore urban-farming mission, community-facing CSA model, and food-justice framing, though without Backyard Basecamp's explicit BIPOC-centered environmental education focus.
- Strength to Love 2: Urban farm operated by formerly incarcerated individuals on state-owned land in East Baltimore. Comparable in operating an urban farm on reclaimed urban land with strong community-reintegration and food-access missions, though focused on workforce reintegration rather than youth environmental education.
- Black Yield Institute: Baltimore-based BIPOC-led nonprofit working on food sovereignty and land justice. Comparable cultural-relevancy framing, BIPOC-led food-systems work, and Baltimore geography, though more policy/advocacy oriented than hands-on nature camp programming.
- The Greener Garden: Listed as a minor strategic partner of Backyard Basecamp, supporting urban farming initiatives. Direct operational overlap on urban farming, food access, and Baltimore community gardening, providing a like-sized small-org comparison point.
Broad incumbents
- Civic Works: Baltimore's largest urban service corps, operating Real Food Farm and youth environmental programs. Comparable in mission-driven Baltimore programming, youth workforce development, and urban green-space work, but operates at much larger scale across multiple service areas.
- Parks & People Foundation: Baltimore nonprofit focused on community parks, schoolyards, and green-space equity. Highly comparable mission around equitable access to urban green space in Baltimore, though broader in scope (parks infrastructure) and less focused on nature-preschool and youth camp programming.
- Outward Bound: National outdoor education nonprofit serving youth with expedition-based learning. Comparable in nature-based youth programming and outdoor adventure curriculum, though at much larger scale and without Backyard Basecamp's explicit BIPOC-centered and urban-farming components.
- National Audubon Society: National environmental organization with pollinator, habitat, and youth nature-education programming. Comparable on pollinator conservation (apiary, pollinator gardens), bird/nature education, and youth engagement, though not centered on BIPOC urban communities or urban farming.
Regional players
- Farm Alliance of Baltimore: Coalition of urban farms in Baltimore City that aggregates produce, training, and policy advocacy. Comparable in supporting Baltimore urban agriculture producers and food justice, but functions as a network coordinator rather than a single operational site.
Emerging players
- Soul Fire Farm: BIPOC-led farm in upstate New York focused on food sovereignty and ending racism in the food system. Closest national-level comparator on BIPOC-centered agricultural education and youth programming, though operating at a different geography and residential-farm model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Backyard Basecamp social profiles
Digital presenceBackyard Basecamp compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Backyard Basecamp financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Backyard Basecamp leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Backyard Basecamp funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Backyard Basecamp 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 Backyard Basecamp
What does Backyard Basecamp do?
Backyard Basecamp operates BLISS Meadows, a 10-acre reclaimed urban land in Baltimore, as a hub for environmental education, regenerative urban agriculture, and nature-based youth programs for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. The organization delivers fee-based youth camps, a nature preschool, school partnerships, adult naturalist and urban farming certifications, and community events, alongside direct sales of locally produced honey, herbs, produce, and flowers through a CSA. It also provides consulting and speaking services focused on equity in the environmental movement.
Is Backyard Basecamp a public or private company?
Backyard Basecamp is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Backyard Basecamp founded?
Backyard Basecamp was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Backyard Basecamp based?
Backyard Basecamp is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does Backyard Basecamp make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are program Fees, agricultural Product Sales, space Rental and consulting Services.
Who are Backyard Basecamp's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Real Food Farm, Strength to Love 2, Black Yield Institute and The Greener Garden. Broad incumbents are Civic Works, Parks & People Foundation, Outward Bound and National Audubon Society. Farm Alliance of Baltimore is listed as a regional player. Soul Fire Farm is listed as an emerging player.
Does Backyard Basecamp have an API?
No public API is recorded for Backyard Basecamp.
What industry is Backyard Basecamp in?
Backyard Basecamp's product category is Environmental Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGAOAE, Eco-Camps & Sustainable Camping Retreats, with a secondary code of EDAMALAA, Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports). Its NAICS code is 721214 and its SIC code is 7000.