Camp Fire Minnesota
Camp Fire Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1924 that delivers nature-based day camps, overnight camps, environmental education, and teen leadership programs to PreK-12 youth from its 100+ acre Lake Minnewashta campus in Excelsior, MN.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1924
- HeadquartersExcelsior, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Camp Fire Minnesota does
Camp Fire Minnesota is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization founded in 1924 and headquartered in Excelsior, MN. It operates from a 100+ acre flagship site on the shore of Lake Minnewashta, with a secondary facility (Bluewater Lodge) in Grand Rapids, MN. The organization serves youth from PreK through grade 12 with a portfolio of nature-based programs: day camps and specialty camps (K-8), overnight and mini-overnight camps (2-10), Northwoods Adventure Trips (6-12), a progressive teen leadership development pipeline (8-12), school break day camps, environmental STEM field trips and mobile programs, afterschool partnerships with metro schools, and a nature preschool. Half of attending youth receive full or partial scholarships funded through donations and endowment support.
The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: camp program fees structured as unit pricing with annual billing cycles (processed via the Active Network registration platform), individual donations and recurring giving programs, facility rentals for weddings, corporate retreats, and celebrations, and a merchandise shop whose proceeds support youth programs. GTM is primarily community-led — direct-to-consumer website registration supplemented by school-district partnerships for environmental education and direct sales for facility rentals. The organization is American Camp Association accredited, Charities Review Council "Meets Standards" certified, and affiliated with the national Camp Fire organization, with a related Minnesota Camp Fire Foundation supporting planned giving and endowments.
The underlying technology stack is intentionally minimal: a third-party registration platform, standard social media channels (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn), and Google Maps for location services. No proprietary technology, AI capabilities, or data flywheel mechanics are evidenced — the value proposition rests on physical camp infrastructure, credentialed human instruction, ACA accreditation, and 100+ years of brand equity in the Minnesota youth market.
Camp Fire Minnesota firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Camp Fire Minnesota
- Legal name
- Camp Fire Minnesota
- Website
- https://campfiremn.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1924
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Camp Fire Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1924 that delivers nature-based day camps, overnight camps, environmental education, and teen leadership programs to PreK-12 youth from its 100+ acre Lake Minnewashta campus in Excelsior, MN.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Camp Fire Minnesota industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development and Outdoor Education Services
- NAICS
- Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), STEM & Science Camps (Biology, Chemistry, Space, Lab Science) (EDAMALAC)
Keywords
Where Camp Fire Minnesota is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Excelsior
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Camp Fire Minnesota business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Camp Program Fees: Registration fees for day camps, overnight camps, school break camps, and specialty programs including Northwoods Adventure Trips and leadership development courses.
- Donations and Contributions: Individual donations, monthly giving programs, planned giving, and endowment contributions supporting scholarship funding for youth participants.
- Facility Rentals: Revenue from hosting weddings, corporate retreats, teambuilding events, and family celebrations at camp locations in Excelsior and Grand Rapids, MN.
- Merchandise Sales: Apparel and accessories sales with proceeds supporting nonprofit youth programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Day Camp - Traditional & Specialty Programs |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Overnight Camp |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Mini-Overnight Camp |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Teen Leadership Development |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Northwoods Adventure Trips |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | School Break Camps |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Camp Fire Minnesota product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Camp Fire Minnesota sells nature-based youth development experiences, including day camps and overnight camps for grades K-12, teen leadership development programs, multi-day Northwoods adventure trips, school break day camps, and PreK-12 environmental STEM education (field trips, afterschool programs, nature preschool). The organization supplements earned revenue by renting its Tanadoona and Bluewater Lodge facilities for weddings, corporate retreats, and celebrations, and by selling mission-supporting apparel and accessories. Approximately half of youth participants attend with scholarship-funded financial assistance.
Product overview
Camp Fire Minnesota operates as a unified youth development organization offering a portfolio of nature-based programs centered around its camp facilities on Lake Minnewashta. The core offerings include Day Camps, Overnight Camps, Northwoods Adventure Trips, and Leadership Development programs for youth grades K-12. Environmental Education services span PreK-12 Field Trips, Afterschool Explorers, and Nature Preschool. The organization also provides School Break Camps during holidays, rents facilities for events and retreats, operates a merchandise shop, and offers scholarship programs. Key facilities include the main Tanadoona camp in Excelsior, MN (100+ acres on Lake Minnewashta) and Bluewater Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN. The organization has been energizing youth since 1924.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Day Camps Traditional and specialty day camps for youth in grades K-8 featuring archery, arts and crafts, nature exploration, swimming, field games, sports, cooking, boating, STEM, wilderness, and adventure course activities led by trained counselors.
- Overnight Camps Week-long residential camp programs for grades 2-10 offering tech-free cabin-based experiences with classic camp activities and Camp Fire traditions, with boy, girl, and all-gender cabin options and a Teen Week for grades 8-12.
- Mini-Overnight Camp 3-night introductory overnight camp experience for grades 2-7 designed as a stepping stone to full-week overnight camp sessions.
- Northwoods Adventure Trips Multi-day adventure trips for grades 6-12 including the North Shore Adventure with whitewater rafting and high ropes, and multi-location canoeing trips.
- Leadership Development Progressive leadership program for grades 8-12 including Day Camp Assistant (1 week daytime), Counselor-in-Training (2 weeks overnight, grades 10-12), and Junior Counselor (age 17, paid position) tracks designed to develop future camp counselors.
- School Break Camps Day camps operating when school is out, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, February break, spring break, and MEA break, for grades K-6.
- Environmental Education (PreK-12) Environmental STEM and outdoor exploration programs including field trips, in-class visits, mobile programs, and downloadable lesson plans for PreK-12 students.
- Afterschool Explorers Partner program with metro-area schools connecting students to nature through afterschool activities.
- Nature Preschool Early childhood nature-based preschool program for young learners.
- Camp Rentals Rental of camp facilities for weddings, corporate retreats, teambuilding events, family celebrations, and getaways at Tanadoona in Excelsior and Bluewater Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN.
- Merchandise Shop Apparel and accessories retail with a portion of every purchase supporting Camp Fire Minnesota's nonprofit youth programs.
- Scholarship Program Financial assistance program providing full and partial scholarships to make camp experiences accessible to youth participants, funded by donations and endowment income.
Quantifiable outcome
- Half of young people attend with financial assistance
Companies that use Camp Fire Minnesota
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Camp Fire Minnesota technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Camp Fire Minnesota partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Camp Fire NationalcoreNational parent organization providing program standards, resources, and brand affiliation for Camp Fire Minnesota's youth development initiatives.
- Minnesota Camp Fire FoundationcoreFoundation arm supporting endowments and planned giving programs for Camp Fire Minnesota, supporting long-term financial sustainability and scholarship funding.
- American Camp AssociationcoreIndustry accreditation body providing camp safety standards and best practices certification for Camp Fire Minnesota's operations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Camp Fire Minnesota competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities: Large regional YMCA operating resident/day camps (e.g., Camp Widjiwagan), afterschool programs, and youth leadership — broader portfolio but directly overlapping camp and youth development offerings within the same Twin Cities market.
- Philmont Scout Ranch (Scouting America): Flagship high-adventure scouting property offering multi-day backcountry treks to teens — comparable Northwoods-style adventure trip product to Camp Fire Minnesota's Northwoods Adventure Trips, though at much larger scale and out-of-state.
- REI Co-op Youth Programs: National outdoor retailer operating outdoor youth education classes and family programs — adjacent competitor for outdoor youth enrichment dollars, particularly in metro areas.
Regional players
- Three Rivers Park District: Twin Cities metro park system operating nature-based youth programming, environmental education, and facility rentals on public parkland — comparable nature programming audience with publicly funded cost structure.
Direct peers
- Fresh Air Fund: Nonprofit providing subsidized summer camp and outdoor experiences to youth from urban areas — comparable scholarship-funded inclusion model and mission-driven youth camp programming.
- Northern Star Council (Scouting America): Boy Scouts-affiliated council covering Minnesota and western Wisconsin offering resident camps, outdoor adventure, and youth leadership programs — same nonprofit youth development model with overlapping donor and camper base.
- Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center: Minnesota-based residential environmental learning center offering school field trips, summer camps, and family programming — directly comparable nature-based youth programming with an environmental education focus.
- Camp Lincoln for Boys / Camp Lake Hubert for Girls: Long-established private Minnesota summer camps offering overnight programs with sports, water, and adventure activities — direct competitor for the same family demographic in the Minnesota resident camp market.
- Audubon Center of the North Woods: Minnesota nonprofit providing nature-based education, overnight programs, and summer camps focused on environmental stewardship — comparable mission and program mix with smaller residential capacity.
- Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys: Regional scouting/youth development nonprofit serving Minnesota and Wisconsin with summer camp, environmental programming, and leadership development — directly comparable in mission, geography, and product mix to Camp Fire Minnesota.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Camp Fire Minnesota social profiles
Digital presenceCamp Fire Minnesota financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Camp Fire Minnesota leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Camp Fire Minnesota subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Camp Fire Minnesota funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Camp Fire Minnesota 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 Camp Fire Minnesota
What does Camp Fire Minnesota do?
Camp Fire Minnesota sells nature-based youth development experiences, including day camps and overnight camps for grades K-12, teen leadership development programs, multi-day Northwoods adventure trips, school break day camps, and PreK-12 environmental STEM education (field trips, afterschool programs, nature preschool). The organization supplements earned revenue by renting its Tanadoona and Bluewater Lodge facilities for weddings, corporate retreats, and celebrations, and by selling mission-supporting apparel and accessories. Approximately half of youth participants attend with scholarship-funded financial assistance.
Is Camp Fire Minnesota a public or private company?
Camp Fire Minnesota is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Camp Fire Minnesota founded?
Camp Fire Minnesota was founded in 1924. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Camp Fire Minnesota based?
Camp Fire Minnesota is headquartered in Excelsior, United States, in the North America region.
How does Camp Fire Minnesota make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Camp Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Contributions, facility Rentals and merchandise Sales.
Who are Camp Fire Minnesota's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, Philmont Scout Ranch (Scouting America) and REI Co-op Youth Programs. Three Rivers Park District is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Fresh Air Fund, Northern Star Council (Scouting America), Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Camp Lincoln for Boys / Camp Lake Hubert for Girls, Audubon Center of the North Woods and Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys.
Does Camp Fire Minnesota have an API?
No public API is recorded for Camp Fire Minnesota.
What industry is Camp Fire Minnesota in?
Camp Fire Minnesota's product category is Youth Development and Outdoor Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMALAA, Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports), with a secondary code of EDAMALAO, Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills). Its NAICS code is 721214 and its SIC code is 7000.