What Experience Learning does

Experience Learning (legal entity Experience Learning Inc.) is a nonprofit outdoor education organization founded in 1972 and headquartered in Circleville, West Virginia, operating two campuses: the 400-acre Spruce Knob Mountain Center (SKMC) in Circleville at 4,000 feet elevation near Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highest peak, and the 560-acre Sweetwater Farm Trail Center in Sugar Grove, developed jointly with Trail Labs under a 2022 cooperative agreement. The organization generates revenue through nine primary streams: summer camps (Mountain Stewards expedition-style programs for ages 6-adult with tiered pricing), K-12 school programs (wilderness-based, community-based, and 5E virtual learning curricula), adult adventure programs (backpacking, women's series, running camps), short courses such as SOLO Wilderness First Aid certification, vacation rentals (yurts via Airbnb and cabins/camping via Hipcamp), facility rentals ($1,400-$2,200/day for groups and events), Sweetwater Farm bike rentals and trail access, annual community events (star parties, kite festival, gravel race, WV Trilogy races), and a donations program including a sustained monthly giving tier.

The underlying "technology" is a physical and curricular platform, not a software one. It comprises iconic Bill Coperthwaite-designed yurt architecture (Ulan Bator, Almaty, Altai), a rammed-earth dormitory, a passive solar earth-shelter staff residence with solar panels added in 2013, two dormitories totaling roughly 40 beds plus six yurts, and 11+ miles of purpose-built single-track trail at Sweetwater Farm — with up to 30 miles planned over a ten-year horizon. Operations are delivered by 7 year-round staff plus 14-20 seasonal instructors, capped at 42 campers per week across three programs (max 14 participants per program, 1:7 instructor ratio). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the website and social channels, supplemented by Airbnb and Hipcamp marketplace listings, school partnerships, and event-driven acquisition.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit earned-revenue plus philanthropic model. Pricing is intentionally tiered (Tier 1 full cost, Tier 2 subsidized, Tier 3 accessible) with no documentation required, plus a $150 non-refundable deposit and need-based scholarships. The customer base is fragmented across K-12 schools (Gilman School, Winston Prep, Morgantown Learning Academy, Petersburg Elementary), youth campers, adult adventurers, astronomy enthusiasts, mountain bikers, group event organizers, and wilderness vacationers — reducing concentration risk but limiting any single anchor account.

Name

Experience Learning

Legal name

Experience Learning Inc.

Website

https://experience-learning.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Experience Learning is a West Virginia nonprofit founded in 1972 that delivers wilderness-based outdoor education, expedition-style summer camps, and adult adventure programs across two campuses (Spruce Knob Mountain Center and Sweetwater Farm Trail Center) to schools, youth, families, and astro-tourism visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Educational Adventure Programs (Outdoor Education, Skill Development) (THAAAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural & Environmental Education Expeditions (Citizen Science, Conservation Volunteering) (THAAAOAH), Adult Skill-Building Expeditions & Courses (Leadership, Survival, Navigation) (THAAAOAC), Adventure Multi-Sport Camps & Skills Academies (THAAAKAM), Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG)

Keywords

• Outdoor education programs
• Summer camp programs
• Wilderness education
• Environmental education
• Adventure recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Circleville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Summer Camp Programs: Expedition-style summer camps for youth with tiered pricing structure (Tier 1, 2, 3). Programs include Mountain Stewards camps for grades 1-12 covering backpacking, survival skills, rock climbing, caving, canoeing, and mountain biking. Revenue generated through registration fees.
2. School Education Programs: Wilderness-based and community-based educational programs for schools, including residential, field-based, and off-site programs. Curriculum aligned with educational goals focusing on environmental literacy, leadership, and stewardship.
3. Adult Adventure Programs: Adult-only programs including backpacking adventures, women's backpacking series, running camps, and wilderness first aid certifications. Examples: Dolly Sods Backpacking ($250-300), Adult Running Camp ($250-300), Wilderness First Aid ($265).
4. Vacation Rentals: Yurt rentals through Airbnb for overnight guests seeking wilderness experiences. Also offers cabin rentals ($79/night single, $140/night both) and camping sites ($20/night).
5. Facility Rentals: Private event and group facility rentals for workshops, weddings, retreats, meetings, and conferences. Pricing: $1400-$2200 per day. Includes meals at $44/person/day with minimum 10 people.
6. Bike Trail Center Operations: Sweetwater Farm Trail Center provides mountain biking, hiking, and trail running. Trail access is free (donation-based). Revenue from bike rentals ($50/day adult, $40/day kids), cabin rentals, camping, and retail merchandise. 20% discount on multi-day rentals.
7. Special Events: Annual community events including Night Owl Star Party, Spruce Knob Kite Festival, Almost Heaven Star Party, and WV Trilogy races. Events generate registration fees and support organizational mission.
8. Donations: Donation-based funding supporting mission to provide outdoor programming regardless of means. Monthly giving program (Sustained Giving) and general donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Experience Learning is a nonprofit outdoor education organization operating two campuses in Pendleton County, West Virginia. It delivers wilderness-based, community-based, and virtual learning programs for schools, along with expedition-style summer camps, adult backpacking adventures, public events (star parties, kite festival, running races), and facility and vacation rentals at the Spruce Knob Mountain Center and Sweetwater Farm Trail Center.

Product overview

Experience Learning is a nonprofit outdoor education organization offering a portfolio of experiential learning programs centered at two campuses in Pendleton County, West Virginia. Its core offerings span wilderness-based education programs (field-based, residential, and off-site), community-based school programs, virtual learning curricula, adult adventure trips, and Mountain Stewards summer camps for youth ages 6-adult. The organization also operates the Sweetwater Farm Trail Center for mountain biking and trail running, manages public events including star parties and running races, and provides facility and vacation rentals for visitors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sweetwater Farm Trail Center: A collaboration between Experience Learning and Trail Labs providing mountain biking, hiking, and trail running opportunities on a 560-acre property in Pendleton County, WV.

Quantifiable outcome

• Max 14 participants per camp program with 1:7 child:instructor ratio
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 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

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Trail LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Cooperative agreement with Trail Labs to develop Sweetwater Farm Trail Center. Trail Labs is focused on creating and enabling quality outdoor recreation. Together they bring the Sweetwater Farm Trail Center, a new trail system in Pendleton County with professionally designed and built trails by Appalachian Dirt. Ten-year agreement planned for up to 30 miles of natural surface trails.
• Appalachian DirtcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProfessional trail design and construction company responsible for building the purpose-built mountain biking trails at Sweetwater Farm Trail Center.
• NOVAC (Northern Virginia Astronomy Club)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NOVAC to bring Almost Heaven Star Party to Spruce Knob Mountain Center. NOVAC runs the event and Experience Learning provides the venue and facilities. Multi-year partnership confirmed.
• New Era Kite ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKite club provides demonstration kites, trick kite demos, and kite-building workshops at annual Spruce Knob Kite Festival.
• West Virginia Mountain Trail RunnerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRunning organization sponsors Adult Running Camp and WV Trilogy races. Co-hosts events at Spruce Knob Mountain Center, providing race participants and event participants who utilize campus facilities.
• Trail Labs (Bike Rentals)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrail Labs located in Canaan Valley, WV offers bike rentals for campers who need equipment, supplementing Experience Learning's limited rental fleet.
• MEDIC SOLOcoreTechnology or IntegrationMEDIC SOLO provides wilderness first aid certification courses at Experience Learning facilities. Offers internationally-renowned 2-year SOLO WFA certification, with blend of classroom and hands-on rescue scenario practice. Also offers college credit and CEUs.
• Jason CyrminorOthersProfessional mountain bike coach who works with Intermediate Adventure Mountain Biking camps (grades 4-6) for focused skill development alongside camp staff.
• Sue HaywoodminorOthersEast coast mountain bike icon and professional coach who teaches at Intermediate Adventure Mountain Biking camps (grades 7-9), providing expert instruction for intermediate riders.
• The Downstream ProjectminorOthersWebsite design and support provider for experience-learning.org.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SOLO (Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities): SOLO provides wilderness first aid and rescue certification courses and partners with Experience Learning to deliver its WFA certification. Directly comparable curriculum, certification model, and outdoor education delivery.
• Outward Bound USA: Outward Bound operates residential wilderness programs for schools, youth, and adults focused on character, leadership, and team-building through outdoor adventure. Direct overlap with Experience Learning's K-12 school programs and expedition-style camps.
• Student Conservation Association: SCA combines service-learning and outdoor stewardship programs for youth and young adults. Highly aligned with Experience Learning's stewardship-focused camps, citizen science offerings (AWSM), and service-learning certificates.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: AMC runs multi-activity outdoor education, hiking, and trail-based programming across the Northeast with lodges, camps, and instructional programming. Comparable mix of education, lodging, and trail/trail center operations analogous to Experience Learning's two-campus model.
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): NOLS is the leading nonprofit wilderness education provider offering expedition-style courses for youth and adults. Highly comparable to Experience Learning's expedition camps, wilderness curricula, and emphasis on certified instructor-led outdoor skill development.
• Trail Labs: Trail Labs co-develops and operates the Sweetwater Farm Trail Center with Experience Learning, providing professional trail design, mountain biking programs, and equipment rentals. A natural peer given the joint venture structure.

Regional players

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: ATC stewards the Appalachian Trail running through West Virginia and supports trail-based education and volunteer programs. Comparable in its regional outdoor education and citizen-science footprint overlapping with Experience Learning's location.
• Canaan Valley State Park: Canaan Valley in West Virginia offers lodging, trails, and outdoor recreation in the same regional market, including the Trail Labs base. Comparable destination outdoor recreation and lodging proposition within West Virginia.

Emerging players

• Andrew Skurka Adventures: Andrew Skurka Adventures runs guided backpacking and thru-hike expeditions led by experienced guides. Comparable adult-adventure guided programming model, with Katrina Weyland (Experience Learning's Course Director) also guiding for this operator.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA Camps: YMCA operates a broad network of summer and outdoor camps serving youth nationwide. Overlaps with Experience Learning's youth summer camp segment but serves a wider portfolio of programming beyond outdoor/adventure focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/experiencelearninginc
• Instagraminstagram.com/experience.learning
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/experience-learning

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 Experience Learning