Camp Ho Mita Koda

What Camp Ho Mita Koda does

Camp Ho Mita Koda is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 82-1212824), founded in 1929 in Newbury Township, Ohio, and recognized as the first and oldest operating summer camp in the world for children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). It serves an average of ~320 campers per season from grades K-11, primarily drawn from Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky, alongside T1D-affected families, teens, and adult women through specialty programs. The organization operates a 72+ acre primary campus with a 6.5-acre Founders Lake in Geauga County, Ohio and a secondary 1,800-acre property in Metamora, Michigan, accredited by the American Camp Association and member of the Diabetes Education and Camping Association.

The core product is a one-week overnight summer camp offering canoeing, kayaking, archery, swimming, challenge course, and outdoor survival programming, augmented by Family Camp, Teen Weekend, Women's Wellness Retreat, LIT (Leader in Training), Alumni Weekend, and a backpacking program. Its technology stack centers on the third-party CampManagement.com registration platform with electronic medical records for diabetes management, plus integration with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems such as Dexcom to support 24/7 medical monitoring and a scheduled midnight/2 AM/4 AM nighttime glucose rounds protocol. Medical care is staffed by pediatric endocrinologists supplied through partnerships with Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's, Akron Children's, and MetroHealth, with 70%+ in-range glucose outcomes reported during the season.

The business model blends subsidized program fees, donations, facility rentals, and fundraising events. Program fees are intentionally below cost — 48% of campers attend via financial assistance — with the gap funded primarily by individual donations, corporate sponsorships (e.g., Sanofi, Blumaka), planned giving, and the annual M4Max Challenge Masters pool tournament that drew ~4,000 participants in 2024. A secondary revenue stream monetizes off-season and shoulder-season capacity through facility rentals ($1,000-$2,500/day; non-profit rates $1,000-$2,000/day) and wedding venue packages (minimum $8,000 flat rate for exclusive property use). The capital structure includes a tiered Adopt-A-Cabin donor program ($1,800 to $50,000) and a Campership Fund that awarded over $50,000 to families in 2024. Marketing is community-led, driven by endocrinologist referrals, T1D medical networks, alumni word-of-mouth, and signature events like the Backpack Bivouac gala and Fall Festival.

Name

Camp Ho Mita Koda

Legal name

Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation

Website

https://camphomitakoda.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Camp Ho Mita Koda is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating since 1929 the world's oldest summer camp for children with Type 1 Diabetes, serving ~320 campers per season in Ohio with subsidized overnight, family, and specialty programs supported by donations, facility rentals, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialized Diabetes Summer Camp and Retreat Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Campgrounds & RV Parks (Developed Sites) (THAGAOAA), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

Keywords

• Diabetes summer camp
• Specialized medical camps
• Youth outdoor programs
• Nonprofit camp services
• Event venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Newbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Program Fees (Summer Camp & Specialty Programs): Registration fees for overnight camps, family camps, specialty camps (Teen Weekend, Women's Wellness Retreat), and day programs. Fees are subsidized and cover only a small portion of operating expenses.
2. Donations & Fundraising: Individual donations, event sponsorships, memorial/honor gifts, stock donations, planned giving/bequests, and corporate sponsorships. 48% of campers attend due to financial assistance fully supported by donations.
3. Facility Rentals & Venue Services: Revenue from facility rentals including corporate retreats, weddings, family reunions, group events. Wedding minimum flat rate $8,000; facility daily rates from $1,000-$2,500.
4. Event Revenue: M4Max Challenge tournament generates entry fees with 1/3 donated to camp operations. 2024 collected ~$191k in entry fees and donated over $200K to camp.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Camp Ho Mita Koda operates a coed overnight summer camp and family retreat center for children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes, delivered on a 72+ acre facility in Newbury, Ohio with a second 1,800-acre site in Metamora, Michigan. Programming integrates 24/7 medical monitoring (CGM, pediatric endocrinology staff) with traditional camp activities (canoeing, kayaking, archery, swimming, challenge course) plus specialty camps, leadership training, and year-round facility rentals for weddings and group retreats. Operations are funded through a mix of subsidized program fees, donations, fundraising events, and venue rental revenue.

Product overview

Camp Ho Mita Koda is a community retreat center and coed summer camp for children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes, founded in 1929. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including overnight summer camp (grades K-11), specialty camps (Teen Weekend, Women's Wellness Retreat, Family Camp), leadership development (LIT Program), and community events (Fall Festival, Backpack Bivouac, Alumni Weekend, Community Open House). Additional offerings include facility and venue rentals for groups, weddings, and corporate retreats, as well as financial assistance through the Campership Fund and sustainability initiatives like the Adopt-A-Cabin program. The camp also operates staffing programs for seasonal medical and field positions and hosts the annual M4Max Challenge fundraiser.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Camp (Overnight T1D Camp) Coed overnight summer camp for kids and teens with Type 1 Diabetes in grades K-11, offering one-week sessions with activities such as canoeing, kayaking, arts & crafts, soccer, swimming, archery, and outdoor survival, alongside 24/7 medical monitoring and CGM integration. Located at the 72+ acre Newbury, Ohio campus.
• LIT Program (Leader in Training) Leadership development program for older campers seeking leadership experience and mentorship opportunities at Camp Ho Mita Koda.
• Family Camp Family camp programs allowing families affected by Type 1 Diabetes to experience CHMK together, including T1D education, peer support, and shared camp activities. Pricing is $125 per person with kids 3 and under free.
• Teen Weekend Weekend retreat for teens ages 13-17 with Type 1 Diabetes featuring team-building activities and T1D discussions on topics like driving, college transition, alcohol, and mental health. Registration is $50/camper including meals, snacks, lodging, and program supplies, limited to 30 participants.
• Women's Wellness Retreat Wellness retreat for women 18+ affected by Type 1 Diabetes featuring social connection, emotional wellness sessions, sip and paint activities, and relaxation. Priced at $165/person includes lodging, four meals, and activities, limited to 25 participants.
• Alumni Weekend Annual reunion weekend for CHMK alumni to reconnect with camp, featuring traditional camp activities, waterfront activities, and alumni gatherings.
• Facility Rentals Year-round facility rental services for events, retreats, and gatherings, including corporate retreats, church groups, school groups, family reunions, and community meetings. Off-season rates: $1,500/day public, $1,000/day non-profit. Prime season: $2,500/day public, $2,000/day non-profit. Includes exclusive access to kitchen, dining hall, great hall, bathhouse, fire pits, lakefront, pavilion, and sports fields.
• Groups & Retreats Facility rental services tailored for church groups, school groups, corporate retreats, family reunions, and community meetings, with options including full facility, partial facility, residential, day use, and hourly rentals.
• Wedding Venue Services Wedding venue rentals at the camp's natural setting. Package includes exclusive rental from Friday 10am through Sunday, cabin lodging for up to 130 people, Great Hall dining hall, pavilion, and 72+ acre property. Minimum flat rate of $8,000.
• Fall Festival Family-friendly fall event featuring pumpkin launching, face painting, wildlife shows, archery, hayrides, costume contests, and seasonal camp activities. Admission is $7 per person.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70%+ in-range glucose levels maintained throughout summer season
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Cleveland CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides medical staff including pediatric endocrinologists and healthcare professionals for summer camp medical team
• University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplies medical staff and pediatric endocrinology expertise for camp healthcare team
• Akron Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributes healthcare professionals and diabetes expertise to camp medical team
• MetroHealth SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides medical staff and endocrinology expertise for camp healthcare operations
• SanofisupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Community Open House 2026 event
• BlumakasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors M4Max Challenge with Pebble Beach vacation package donation
• CMIT SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBackpack Bivouac 2026 event sponsor
• Michigan Specialty Coatings, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBackpack Bivouac 2026 event sponsor
• Newbury Tire Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBackpack Bivouac 2026 event sponsor
• Spear Chardon Tractor Sales, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBackpack Bivouac 2026 event sponsor
• Tim Frank Septic Tank Cleaning CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBackpack Bivouac 2026 event sponsor
• USI InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBackpack Bivouac 2026 event sponsor
• University HospitalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFall Festival 2026 sponsor

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Camp Sweeney: One of the largest and longest-running T1D overnight summer camps in the US, located in Gainesville, Texas. Serves the same Type 1 Diabetes youth camper population with multi-week residential programming and 24/7 medical staff.
• The Barton Center for Diabetes Education: Massachusetts-based nonprofit operating Camp Joslin (boys) and Camp Clara Barton (girls), overnight T1D camps with full medical teams. Directly comparable mission and camper profile to Camp Ho Mita Koda.
• Florida Diabetes Camp: Operates overnight T1D summer camps (Camp Winona and others) in Florida serving children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes. Closest direct geographic and programmatic peer to CHMK's residential T1D camp model.
• Diabetes Youth Services (DYS): Northwest Ohio-based nonprofit providing day camps, residential camps, and family programs for children with T1D. Overlaps geographically with CHMK's Ohio market and offers comparable disease-specialized programming.
• Setebaid Services: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit running residential T1D summer camps (Camp Setebaid) for teens and youth with Type 1 Diabetes. Operates in the same Mid-Atlantic region as CHMK's secondary catchment area.

Others

• Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA): Umbrella organization of which CHMK is a member, representing diabetes camps worldwide. Functions as an industry body and peer network rather than a direct competitor, but its constituent camps are the closest peer set.
• Children with Diabetes: Education and community organization serving families of children with T1D, hosting Friends for Life conferences and resources. Functions as a peer ecosystem and referral channel rather than a direct camp operator.

Emerging players

• SeriousFun Children's Network: Global network of 30+ camps serving children with serious medical conditions. CHMK is not a member, but SeriousFun camps represent a parallel "specialty medical camp" model with similar funding and volunteer dynamics.
• Victory Junction: North Carolina-based specialty camp for children with chronic medical conditions, founded by the Petty family. Comparable operating model (medical specialty camp, donor-funded, hospital partnerships) though broader in medical scope than T1D.
• Camp Boggy Creek: Florida-based SeriousFun-affiliated camp for children with serious illnesses, free of charge. Similar nonprofit economics, hospital partnerships, and family programming, but broader medical condition focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/camphomitakoda
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@camphomitakodafoundation254
• Facebookfacebook.com/CampHoMitaKoda
• Instagraminstagram.com/camphmk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camphomitakodafoundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Camp Ho Mita Koda