Firelight Camps
Firelight Camps operates a 22-tent luxury glamping resort in Ithaca, NY, offering furnished safari tents, on-site F&B, spa access, and wedding venue rentals to couples, families, and retreat groups on a seasonal basis.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersIthaca, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Firelight Camps does
Firelight Camps is a privately held, single-site luxury glamping operator founded in 2014 by Bobby Frisch (CEO) and Emma Frisch (Culinary Director) in Ithaca, New York. The company operates 22 furnished safari-style tents (King, Double Queen, and premium electric-heated variants) on a 15-acre parcel adjacent to Buttermilk Falls State Park and sister property La Tourelle Inn & Spa. Tents feature hardwood floors, plush beds, private porches with rocking chairs, battery-powered lanterns, and access to a central bath house with hot showers and flushing toilets; the property also includes a 30'x40' lobby tent serving daily locally-sourced breakfast and a full bar with Finger Lakes wines, beers, cider, and spirits.
The business model is primarily transactional nightly tent rentals priced per tent (2-guest base occupancy, with surcharges for additional adults, children, and pets) layered with five secondary revenue streams: food and beverage, gift certificates, spa services (via August Moon Spa), wedding and corporate retreat venue rentals (exclusive-use for up to 125 attendees May–October), and event-driven group bookings. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the company's website and WebRez booking engine, supplemented by third-party listings (Glamping Hub, Escape Toronto) and earned media in major consumer publications. Customer segments span couples, families, wedding parties, corporate retreat groups, and wellness travelers, with corporate retreats representing only occasional bookings (e.g., Vanity Fair, Columbia Sportswear).
Operations are seasonal, running roughly May 7 to November 1 each year, and the company maintains a small core team supplemented by seasonal part-time staff and student interns. The company appears founder-owned and bootstrapped with a single disclosed funding round of $553,002 in September 2021 and no evidence of institutional equity, M&A activity, or geographic expansion beyond its single Ithaca site.
Firelight Camps firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Firelight Camps
- Legal name
- Firelight Camps
- Website
- https://firelightcamps.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Firelight Camps operates a 22-tent luxury glamping resort in Ithaca, NY, offering furnished safari tents, on-site F&B, spa access, and wedding venue rentals to couples, families, and retreat groups on a seasonal basis.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Firelight Camps industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Boutique Outdoor Lodging & Glamping
- NAICS
- Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Safari Camps & Tented Lodges (THAGAOAF)
Keywords
Where Firelight Camps is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ithaca
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Firelight Camps business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Glamping Tent Rentals: Primary revenue stream from nightly tent rentals of luxury safari tents. Rates are per tent, per night, based on 2-guest occupancy. Additional fees apply for extra adults ($50/night), children 4-12 ($30/night), and well-behaved dogs ($50/night in non-electric tents). Weekend stays have a 2-night minimum.
- Food & Beverage: Locally sourced breakfast served daily in the lobby tent (included in stay). Full bar from 3–11 PM featuring Finger Lakes wines, beers, cider, spirits, and seasonal cocktails. Camp Store sells snacks (s'more kits), beverages, apparel, hiking maps, and essentials. Guests may also bring their own food and use on-site propane and charcoal grills.
- Spa Services (August Moon Spa): On-site spa at August Moon Spa offers massages, facials, body scrubs, reiki, wraps and more. Revenue is shared or passed through to the spa operator. Weekday guests can purchase a discounted amenity pass or receive free access by booking any spa service.
- Gift Certificates: Gift certificates sold with a minimum of $50, redeemable for 5 years from purchase date. Cannot be exchanged for cash and may be combined with other payment forms.
- Private Events & Weddings: The grounds are available for exclusive-use events May through October, accommodating up to 125 attendees. Revenue comes from tent rental packages, catering partnerships, and event venue fees. The property includes 22 sleeping tents, a 30'x40' lobby tent, a 20'x40' banquet tent, and additional rentable event tent space.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | King Bed Tent — standard |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Double Queen Bed Tent — standard |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Electric King Bed Tent (Tents 16, 17) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Electric Double Queen Bed Tent (Tent 19) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Electric Master King Tent |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pet-friendly stay |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Late check-out |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Certificate |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
Firelight Camps product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Firelight Camps operates a seasonal luxury glamping resort on a 15-acre property in Ithaca, New York, offering furnished safari tent accommodations (King Bed and Double Queen Bed configurations) with plush beds, hardwood floors, private porches, and access to a bath house, lobby tent, and communal fire rings. The company also operates an on-site Food & Beverage program (daily locally sourced breakfast and full bar featuring Finger Lakes producers), a Wedding & Event Venue with exclusive-use capabilities for up to 125 attendees, and sells gift certificates. The property operates seasonally from approximately May 7 through November 1 each year.
Product overview
Firelight Camps operates a single-site glamping resort offering luxury safari tent accommodations as its core product, complemented by add-on modules including electric premium tents, spa access, a loyalty rewards program, gift certificates, and event venue rental for weddings and retreats. The property features 22 furnished tents, a lobby tent with breakfast and bar service, banquet facilities, and direct access to Buttermilk Falls State Park trails. The company also maintains a partnership with sister property La Tourelle Inn & Spa for guests seeking combined adventure and spa experiences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Luxury Safari Tent Accommodations Furnished safari tents with hardwood floors, plush king or double queen beds, private tented porches with rocking chairs, battery-powered lanterns, and writer's desks. Standard (non-electric) tents are priced per tent per night based on 2-guest occupancy; King Bed Tents accommodate up to 3 guests and Double Queen Bed Tents accommodate up to 4 guests, with cots available. Designed for couples, families, and individuals seeking a comfortable alternative to traditional camping.
- Wedding & Event Venue Outdoor venue for intimate weddings, rehearsal dinners, receptions, elopements, and corporate retreats with exclusive use of the grounds available May through October. Accommodates up to 125 attendees and includes 22 sleeping tents, a 30'x40' lobby tent, a 20'x40' banquet tent, communal campfire areas, and curated catering partners. The property has hosted Vanity Fair, Columbia Sportswear, and other retreat groups.
- Electric Tents Premium safari tent variants (Tents 16, 17, 18, and 19) equipped with electric heaters, fans, floor lamps, and outlets for guests seeking climate control during spring and fall stays in Upstate New York. Priced higher than standard tents and recommended for cooler-weather visits.
- On-site Food & Beverage Service Food and beverage offerings located in the lobby tent. Daily locally sourced breakfast is served from 7:30–10 AM and is included with stays. A full bar operates from 3–11 PM featuring Finger Lakes wines, beers, ciders, spirits, and seasonal cocktails. A camp store sells snacks (s'more kits), beverages, apparel, hiking maps, and essentials. Guests may also bring their own food and use on-site propane and charcoal grills.
- Gift Certificates Redeemable gift certificates with a minimum purchase of $50, valid for 5 years from purchase, and combinable with other payment methods. Drive word-of-mouth referrals and serve as a marketing tool to attract new guests through existing customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Founded in 2014, Firelight Camps completed 5 full glamping seasons by 2019 and hosted 900 campfires across its first five seasons.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Firelight Camps
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Firelight Camps technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Firelight Camps partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- La Tourelle Inn & SpacoreLa Tourelle Inn & Spa is Firelight Camps' sister property, located on the same 15-acre grounds just up the hill from the glampground. The two properties share the same property and cross-promote to guests. La Tourelle offers a full-service spa, bar & lounge, and hotel amenities including A/C and television, allowing Firelight guests to enjoy both outdoor immersion and conventional luxury. Many guests book a combination of nights at both properties.
- August Moon SpacoreAugust Moon Spa is located just a short stroll from the glamping tents. Firelight guests can access spa amenities including steam rooms, saunas, massages, facials, body scrubs, reiki, and wraps. Weekday guests can purchase a discounted amenity pass, or receive free amenity access by booking any spa service.
- Experience! The Finger LakesminorRecommended wine and food tour operator for Firelight guests. The company offers experiential guided tasting tours to premier Finger Lakes wineries.
- Ithaca Is FoodiesminorRecommended food tour partner offering walking tours of Ithaca's unique restaurants, ideal for Firelight guests exploring the local culinary scene.
- Discover Cayuga LakeminorRecommended boat tour and eco-cruise operator on Cayuga Lake (15-minute drive from camp), offering private charters and hands-on exploration of Finger Lakes waterways.
- Paddle-N-MoreminorRecommended kayak, tandem kayak, and SUP rental provider for Firelight guests seeking independent water-based adventures on the Finger Lakes.
- Vahana Yoga & Eco-ToursminorWellness partner offering yoga classes, yoga hikes, and adult day camps and retreats, some of which take place directly at Firelight Camps.
- Barebones LivingminorFirelight Camps provides Barebones Living battery-powered lanterns in each tent for illumination, leveraging Barebones' outdoor lifestyle brand products as part of the guest experience.
- Local Food and Beverage Producers (Finger Lakes)minorThe bar program features artisanal wines, beers, cider, and spirits from the best micro-producers in the Finger Lakes. The breakfast program sources from local farms and bakeries. Recommended local producers include South Hill Cider (2 miles away), Ithaca Beer Company, Lucky Hare Brewing, Finger Lakes Cider House, Sheldrake Point Winery, and others.
- Catering PartnersminorCurated preferred catering partners are recommended to event and wedding clients for catered meals at camp. A catering packet and service provider list is available for download.
- Co-Branding PartnersminorFirelight Camps is open to co-branding partnerships with aligned brands in food, beverage, merchandise, and experiential activities. The company seeks partners whose offerings enhance the guest experience and align with its brand values of nature, community, and local culture.
- Primitive PursuitsminorLocal nature education organization dedicated to teaching wilderness skills. Firelight hosted Primitive Pursuits at its 2016 season kickoff party for a bow drill fire-starting demonstration. Firelight donated 25% of sales from the evening to support the organization.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Firelight Camps competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Huttopia: Established international glamping/cabin operator with North American presence. Comparable product mix (tents, cabins) but serves a broader, more family-mass market than Firelight's premium positioning.
- Westgate River Ranch: Large Florida dude ranch / glamping resort offering safari tents and cabins with extensive amenities (equestrian, dining, events). Comparable product tier but operates at far greater scale in a different climate region.
Direct peers
- AutoCamp: Premium Airstream/cabin glamping resorts in California, New York, and other destinations. Directly comparable luxury outdoor lodging positioning, design-forward branding, and target affluent urban traveler.
- Collective Retreats: Luxury outdoor hospitality brand operating tented suites and cabins at destinations including Hudson Valley. Comparable safari-style product, premium pricing, and focus on corporate/wedding events.
- Tentrr: Marketplace/network of curated private campsites with signature canvas tent setups. Adjacent product offering and target audience in the glamping space, including Upstate New York.
- Under Canvas: Multi-site luxury safari-tent glamping operator with locations near national parks. Most direct competitor in tented lodging concept, comparable nightly pricing tier, and target guest (couples/families/events).
Regional players
- Pride RV & Marine Resort: Family-oriented cabin and cottage resort near Finger Lakes region. Comparable Upstate New York geography and outdoor lodging category but more family-RV resort positioning rather than luxury safari-tent glamping.
- Sandy Pines Campground: Kennebunkport, Maine-based upscale campground with safari tents, safari cabins, and rustic cottages serving a similar New England vacation traveler.
Emerging players
- Getaway House: Network of tiny-cabin rentals in nature locations near major Northeastern cities. Overlaps on digital direct-booking model, millennial/Gen-X traveler, and nature-immersion positioning.
Others
- La Tourelle Inn & Spa: Sister property on the same 15-acre grounds; sibling boutique inn + full-service spa. Operationally intertwined with Firelight Camps for cross-promotion and combined stay packages.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Firelight Camps social profiles
Digital presenceFirelight Camps financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Firelight Camps leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Firelight Camps funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Firelight Camps 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 Firelight Camps
What does Firelight Camps do?
Firelight Camps operates a seasonal luxury glamping resort on a 15-acre property in Ithaca, New York, offering furnished safari tent accommodations (King Bed and Double Queen Bed configurations) with plush beds, hardwood floors, private porches, and access to a bath house, lobby tent, and communal fire rings. The company also operates an on-site Food & Beverage program (daily locally sourced breakfast and full bar featuring Finger Lakes producers), a Wedding & Event Venue with exclusive-use capabilities for up to 125 attendees, and sells gift certificates. The property operates seasonally from approximately May 7 through November 1 each year.
When was Firelight Camps founded?
Firelight Camps was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Firelight Camps based?
Firelight Camps is headquartered in Ithaca, United States, in the North America region.
How does Firelight Camps make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Glamping Tent Rentals are the primary driver. The others are food & Beverage, spa Services (August Moon Spa), gift Certificates and private Events & Weddings.
Who are Firelight Camps's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Huttopia and Westgate River Ranch. Direct peers are AutoCamp, Collective Retreats, Tentrr and Under Canvas. Regional players are Pride RV & Marine Resort and Sandy Pines Campground. Getaway House is listed as an emerging player. La Tourelle Inn & Spa is listed as an others.
Does Firelight Camps have an API?
No public API is recorded for Firelight Camps.
What industry is Firelight Camps in?
Firelight Camps's product category is Boutique Outdoor Lodging & Glamping. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGAOAF, Safari Camps & Tented Lodges. Its NAICS code is 721214 and its SIC code is 7000.