The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning

Name

The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning

Legal name

The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning

Website

https://thefowlercenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Needs Camp Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus) (THAMAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Campgrounds & RV Parks (Developed Sites) (THAGAOAA)

Keywords

• Adaptive outdoor recreation
• Residential camp programs
• Disability services camps
• Equestrian therapy programs
• Respite care camping

Headquarters

HQ city

Mayville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. CMH Contracts: The Fowler Center receives funding through contracts with Community Mental Health agencies for serving campers with disabilities.
2. Camperships: Financial assistance programs available for families to help cover camp costs.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, families, and organizations supporting the mission.
4. Program Fees: Fees for various programs including Summer Camp, Weekend Respite Camps, Travel Adventures, and Group Events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning operates a year-round barrier-free residential camp on 200 acres in Mayville, Michigan, serving children, teens, and adults (ages 6-99) with physical, cognitive, and psychological disabilities. The organization delivers overnight camps, weekend respite camps, seasonal programs, travel adventures, and equestrian programs, supplemented by animal adoption sponsorships and customized group events.

Product overview

The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning operates as a single, unified program offering barrier-free camping experiences rather than a platform with modular components. The core offering is a year-round residential camp on 200 acres in Michigan's Thumb, serving children and adults with disabilities through overnight camps, weekend respite programs, and seasonal programming. Supporting programs include Travel Adventures (off-site trips), Equestrian Programs (on-site horseback riding with adoptable horses), Group Events (customized external bookings), and Activities (recreational programming including treehouse, archery, kayaking, and arts). The Adopt-An-Animal program provides a supplementary engagement opportunity allowing donors to support the camp's equine and small animal care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Overnight Camp Year-round overnight camping programs for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, offering barrier-free outdoor experiences tailored to each camper's physical, cognitive, and psychological abilities.
• Camp Barefoot (TBI) Specialized overnight camp program designed specifically for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, providing adapted activities and dedicated support.
• Weekend Respite Camps Short-term weekend camping experiences providing caregivers and families respite while campers enjoy barrier-free recreational activities.
• Seasonal Camps Camp programs offered during different seasons of the year, providing year-round accessible outdoor experiences for people with disabilities.
• Travel Adventures Off-site travel programs that allow campers to explore destinations beyond the camp grounds while maintaining accessible accommodations and support.
• Equestrian Programs Horseback riding and equine care programs that provide campers with therapeutic and recreational equestrian experiences, featuring on-site horses available for adoption.
• Group Events Customized event hosting for external groups seeking accessible outdoor experiences and team-building activities at the 200-acre facility.
• Adopt-An-Animal Program Program allowing donors to support camp animals (horses, goats, pigs, chickens) through monthly contributions of at least $25/month, receiving certificates, photos, and personalized letters from adopted animals.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MCHS Family of ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHS Family of Services is the parent organization that provides the opportunity for The Fowler Center to continue the founder Jack Fowler's vision and expand upon it. The Fowler Center is a program of MCHS Family of Services.
• State of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fowler Center is licensed by the State of Michigan, indicating regulatory oversight and approval to operate as a camp for people with disabilities.
• American Camp AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fowler Center holds accreditation from the American Camp Association, demonstrating compliance with industry standards for camp operations.
• Community Mental Health (CMH) AgenciescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCMH agencies refer clients to The Fowler Center and fund services through contracts, serving as a key distribution channel for camper enrollment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Double H Ranch: Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne, NY provides residential camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and disabilities. It is a direct peer operating a year-round adaptive camp with similar mission, ACA accreditation, and reliance on donations and partner referrals.
• Roundup River Ranch: Roundup River Ranch in Gypsum, Colorado is a free, medically-supported camp serving children with serious illnesses and disabilities. It is a direct peer with year-round programming, equestrian activities, and ACA accreditation, supported by a major parent healthcare system.
• Camp Courage (Courage Kenny): Camp Courage in Annandale, Minnesota is operated by Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute and serves children and adults with disabilities through residential camp, respite, and adaptive recreation. It is a direct peer backed by a healthcare system with similar programming scope.
• Variety Club Camp: Variety Club Camp in Worcester, PA, operated by Variety Philadelphia, provides barrier-free summer and year-round camping for children with physical and developmental disabilities. It is a direct peer in the disability-camping niche with similar mission and donor-supported funding model.
• Camp Huntington: Camp Huntington in High Falls, NY is a residential summer camp and weekend respite program for children and adults with developmental disabilities, autism, and learning disabilities. It is a direct peer with comparable overnight, respite, and adaptive activities.
• Camp Sunnyside (Camp Fire): Camp Fire Camp Sunnyside in Fort Worth, Texas provides overnight, day, and respite programs specifically designed for children with disabilities. It is a direct peer offering ACA-accredited adaptive camping in a different geographic market.
• Camp Friendship: Camp Friendship in Palmyra, Virginia operates Camp Civitan, a residential camp for children and adults with disabilities. It is a direct peer offering summer, weekend respite, and year-round adaptive programming similar to Fowler.
• Camp Holiday Trails: Camp Holiday Trails in Charlottesville, Virginia serves children with special medical needs and disabilities through residential summer camp and year-round programs. It is a direct peer in the adaptive/medical camp niche with similar reliance on donations and partner referrals.

Regional players

• Kulaqua Camp & Conference Center: Kulaqua Camp & Conference Center in High Springs, Florida offers year-round camp, retreat, and conference facilities, including accessible programming. It is a regional peer with comparable facility-based recreation and group-event hosting, though broader in audience scope.

Broad incumbents

• Easter Seals Camp (various): Easter Seals operates a nationwide network of camps serving children and adults with disabilities. It is a broad incumbent peer offering overlapping adaptive camp and respite services at national scale, often with deeper fundraising and brand reach than a single-site operator.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fowlercenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/thefowlercenter
• Xx.com/fowlercenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-fowler-center-for-outdoor-learning

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning