What Rawhide Ranch does

Rawhide Ranch is a privately held, Wild West-themed residential youth camp founded in 1964 and operating from a single 6987 West Lilac Road site in Bonsall, California. Its core products are week-long overnight summer camp sessions ($1,149 per camper, ages 7-15), a summer day camp ($679, ages 5-13), a winter camp (Dec 27-Jan 1, $1,149), weekend youth-group camps (Girl Scouts, YMCA, church groups), mid-week school-group camps (Sept-May, 25-100 people), family camp weekends ($296/person) and Mother/Daughter weekends ($296/person). Programming centers on Western horseback riding, equestrian vaulting, animal science, archery, and character development under a proprietary C.H.I.R.P. values framework (Caring Community, Hard Work, Integrity, Respect, Personal Growth). Adjacent revenue lines include the LIT (Leader In Training, $2,068) and REP (Rawhide Experience Program, $575) leadership pipelines, the Rawhide Equestrian Vaulting (REV) competitive team, on-site Country Store/Pony Bucks spend, and an annual public Country Christmas event.

The business model is direct-to-consumer with no resellers or third-party distributors. Registrations are self-served through the CampBrain platform, and revenue is one-time per session rather than recurring or subscription-based. Marketing relies on word-of-mouth referrals, TV exposure (Today's Wild West!), camp-directory listings (ranked Top 22 Camps in the USA by Early Childhood Education Zone), and a multi-tier discount architecture (Early Bird, Returning Camper, Sibling, Multi-Session, Referral up to $250, Active-Duty Military 25%) plus a scholarship program. Technology is non-proprietary and limited to registration and basic communications; there is no app, API, or disclosed AI/ML component.

Ownership is held by SVN Rawhide Ranch LLC, an investor group that acquired the property from founders Clarence and Mary Jean Chown in 2000. Operations are run by a small permanent management team (Executive Camp Director Will Kates, Assistant Camp Director DeeAnn Laird, Registrar Rebecca Seidl, Program Manager/Admin Specialist Carolann Campbell) supported by seasonal staff. The company has 11-50 employees, no external funding rounds, no subsidiaries, no patents, and no disclosed M&A activity.

Name

Rawhide Ranch

Legal name

Rawhide Ranch

Website

https://rawhideranch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rawhide Ranch is a privately held, Wild West-themed residential youth camp founded in 1964 in Bonsall, California, serving ages 5-15 plus families, schools, Girl Scouts, and youth organizations with summer/winter overnight camps, day camp, weekend and school-group programs, and equestrian vaulting, structured around its proprietary C.H.I.R.P. values system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Summer Camp Services

NAICS

RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (72121)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm Stays & Agritourism Lodges (THAMADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Horse Boarding, Livery & Stable Operations (AFAEAGAG)

Keywords

• Summer camp programs
• Youth overnight camps
• Equestrian horseback riding
• Western themed camps
• Children leadership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonsall

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Overnight Summer Camp Sessions: Week-long overnight camp sessions running Sunday to Friday. Each session costs $1,149 per camper. Multiple sessions offered throughout summer (Sessions 1-9). Revenue is one-time per session with no recurring component.
2. Summer Day Camp: One-week day camp program for ages 5-13, priced at $679 per camper. Single session offering in July.
3. Winter Camp: Week-long overnight winter camp (December 27 - January 1), priced at $1,149 per camper. Single annual session.
4. Family Camp Weekend: Weekend family camps at $296 per person (ages 7+), $155 (ages 3-6), free for ages 0-2. Multiple dates offered throughout year.
5. Mother/Daughter Weekend: Weekend camps specifically for mothers and daughters at $296 per person (ages 7+), $155 (ages 3-6). Multiple dates offered.
6. Weekend Youth Group Camps: Weekend overnight camps for Girl Scouts, YMCA groups, church youth groups and other youth organizations. Minimum 7 years old. Pricing varies, requires $250 or 10% non-refundable deposit.
7. Mid-Week School Group Camps: Mid-week overnight camps for school groups (September-May). Minimum 25 people, maximum 100 total. Pricing varies, requires $250 or 10% non-refundable deposit.
8. LIT Program: Leader In Training program - 3-week leadership development program priced at $2,068 total ($299 non-refundable). Includes LIT t-shirt and group photo.
9. REP Program: Rawhide Experience Program - 4-week advanced leadership program priced at $575 total ($299 non-refundable). Eligible participants may be considered for paid Jr. Staff positions.
10. Camp Store Sales: On-site camp stores (Country Store and Sweet Shop) sell snacks, drinks, souvenirs. 'Pony Bucks' cashless system used during summer and winter camp. Spending suggestions: $50-$90 for overnight camps, $20-$30 for weekend camps.
11. Country Christmas Event: Annual public holiday event with $20 car admission (cash only). Additional revenue from activity tickets ($1 each), food sales, and BBQ dinner tickets ($18 adult, $10 child).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rawhide Ranch operates a Wild West-themed residential and day camp on a single Bonsall, California property, selling week-long summer overnight sessions, summer day camp, winter camp, weekend and mid-week youth group camps, family and mother-daughter weekends, and youth leadership programs. Programming centers on Western horseback riding, equestrian vaulting, animal science, character education, and traditional camp activities. Customers register directly via the CampBrain online platform; the only public-facing event is the annual Country Christmas holiday gathering.

Product overview

Rawhide Ranch is a traditional Wild West-themed children's camp offering a diverse portfolio of residential and family camp programs. The core offering consists of Summer Overnight Camp (9 sessions for ages 7-15 at $1,149 per session), Summer Day Camp (ages 5-13 at $679), and Winter Camp (December 27-January 1 at $1,149). Youth group programs include Weekend Camps for Girl Scouts and Mid-Week Camps for School Groups. Family programs encompass Family Camp Weekend and Mother/Daughter Weekend (ages 7+ at $296/person). Specialized programs include Rawhide Equestrian Vaulting (REV) competitive team, and leadership programs LIT (Leader In Training, $2,068) and REP (Rawhide Experience Program, $575). The ranch also hosts an annual Country Christmas public event. All programs center on western horseback riding, equestrian vaulting, animal science, and traditional camp activities at their Bonsall, California facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rawhide Equestrian Vaulting (REV): Competitive equestrian vaulting team for youth ages 3 to 17, with practice once or twice weekly and options to compete locally and nationally.

Products and services

• Summer Overnight Camp Week-long overnight summer camp sessions for ages 7-15 held Sunday to Friday. Programming includes Western riding lessons, equestrian vaulting, animal science classes, and electives such as pool, rock climbing wall, archery, and crafts, with cabin accommodations and themed sessions (e.g., Lost in Space, Disco, Color Craze, Neon 90's, Beach Bash). Priced at $1,149 per session.
• Summer Day Camp Week-long day camp for ages 5-6 and 7-13 (separate groups) held Monday through Friday, 8:15am to 4pm, with crafts, games, ranch experiences, and lunch provided. Priced at $679 per camper; optional early drop-off ($10/day) and late pick-up ($3 per 15 minutes after 4:15pm).
• Winter Camp Annual week-long overnight winter camp for ages 7-15, held December 27 to January 1, including riding, vaulting, stock farm animals, archery, leather crafts, a Winter Olympics competition, and a New Year YEE HAW banquet and party. Priced at $1,149 per camper.
• Weekend Camps (Girl Scouts, YMCA & More) Weekend overnight camps Friday to Sunday for organized youth groups including Girl Scouts, YMCA, and church youth groups, accommodating up to 80 children. Includes 2-night stay with 6 meals, animal and horse science classes, vaulting, riding instruction, and evening activities. Designed to support badge requirements such as the Girl Scout Horsemanship badge. Requires $250 or 10% non-refundable deposit.
• Mid-Week Camps (School Groups) Mid-week overnight camps for school groups and youth organizations from September through May, running Wednesday morning to Friday afternoon with 2-night stay, 6 meals, animal and horse science classes, beginner equestrian vaulting, and Western-style horseback riding instruction. Accommodates groups of 25-100 people. Requires $250 or 10% non-refundable deposit.
• Family Camp Weekend Family bonding camp weekend welcoming men, women, boys, and girls of all ages, Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, with private sleeping quarters. Activities include Western horseback riding, vaulting, camp games, stock farm animals, archery, rock climbing wall, crafts, and campfire. Priced at $296/person (ages 7+), $155/person (ages 3-6), and free for ages 0-2.
• Mother/Daughter Weekend Weekend bonding experience for mothers and daughters (ladies-only format), Friday 6pm to Sunday 1:30pm, including Western horseback riding, vaulting, camp games, stock farm animals, archery, rock climbing wall, crafts, and campfire. Age 7 minimum for riding; ages 3-6 have lead-line riding class. Priced at $296/person (ages 7+), $155/person (ages 3-6), and free for ages 0-2.
• Rawhide Equestrian Vaulting (REV) Competitive vaulting team for youth ages 3-17 with weekly practice once or twice per week, with options to compete locally and nationally. Coached by Carolann Campbell, a Region 1 2017 Copper Champion.
• LIT Program (Leader In Training) Three-week leadership training program for teens between sophomore and junior year of high school, focusing on communication, teamwork, empathy, responsibility, respect, creativity, conflict resolution, and problem solving. Participants shadow counselors and assist in camp classes. Priced at $2,068 total with $299 non-refundable deposit; includes LIT t-shirt and group photo.
• REP Program (Rawhide Experience Program) Four-week advanced leadership program for teens who have finished their junior year of high school and/or are 17 years old, with specialization in horsemanship, animal science, or camp recreation. Participants shadow counselors and may be considered for paid Jr. Staff positions. Priced at $575 total with $299 non-refundable deposit.
• Country Christmas Event Annual public holiday event held in December at the ranch, featuring hay rides, pony rides, petting zoo, photos with Santa, leather ornament crafts, tens of thousands of Christmas lights, equestrian exhibitions, carolers, live bands, s'mores, and campfire carols. $20 per car admission (cash only), plus $1 activity tickets and separate BBQ dinner tickets ($18 adult, $10 child). Active-duty military receives free admission with current ID. The only time of year the ranch opens to the general public.
• Camp Store (Country Store & Sweet Shop) On-site camp stores selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs, using a cashless Pony Bucks system during summer and winter camp. Suggested spending ranges from $50-$90 per overnight camp and $20-$30 per weekend camp.

Quantifiable outcome

• Produces national world champion horsemen and women
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Camp Augusta: California-based co-ed overnight summer camp offering multi-week sessions with traditional outdoor programming. Comparable in scale, California location, residential summer-camp model, and direct-to-consumer parent registration.
• Pali Adventures: California specialty summer camp running multiple week-long sessions for kids and teens with themed programming. Direct peer on session-based residential model, California location, and youth (7-15) target demographic.
• Camp Towanda: Long-established (since 1920s) traditional co-ed residential summer camp with week-long sessions, sports and activity electives, and a focus on character development. Comparable on residential session structure, premium pricing, and multi-decade brand longevity.
• YMCA Camp Surf: California YMCA residential camp running overnight sessions for youth with multi-activity programming. Comparable on California geography, residential session format, and youth overnight camp customer base.
• Camp Marston (BSA): Boy Scouts of America camp in Julian, California offering overnight group camping and youth outdoor programming. Comparable on California location, group/youth overnight model, and outdoor experiential programming.

Broad incumbents

• Alisal Guest Ranch: Solang Valley, California ranch resort offering horseback riding and Western-themed experiences. Comparable in Western/ranch theming and equestrian-centric programming, but serves adult and family guests rather than youth campers and operates as a luxury resort.
• Circle Bar B Guest Ranch: Santa Barbara, California guest ranch offering horseback riding and ranch-style lodging. Comparable in ranch setting and equestrian activities, but is positioned as a family/adult guest ranch rather than a youth residential camp.

Regional players

• Tanque Verde Guest Ranch: Tucson, Arizona dude ranch offering horseback riding, ranch activities, and lodging. Comparable in ranch-based, horse-centric, Western-themed programming but operates in a different geography and serves predominantly adult/family guests.
• C Lazy U Ranch: Colorado dude ranch offering horseback riding and ranch experiences in a Western setting. Comparable in ranch-based equestrian programming and Western theming, but is a guest ranch serving adult/family guests and located in a different region.
• White Stallion Ranch: Tucson, Arizona dude ranch with horseback riding and Western ranch programming. Comparable in Western ranch setting and equestrian-focused activities, but is an adult/family guest ranch in a different geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/therawhideranch
• Facebookfacebook.com/rawhideranch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rawhide-ranch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Rawhide Ranch