Camp Fire U S A First Texasuncil

What Camp Fire U S A First Texasuncil does

Camp Fire First Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, founded in 1914 and operating as one of the largest Camp Fire councils in the United States. The organization delivers a portfolio of youth, family, and educator programs across six North Texas counties (Tarrant, Parker, Wise, Hood, Johnson, Denton), reaching approximately 24,600 children, youth, and adults annually through 39 program sites and a network of 1,452 volunteers. Core service lines include overnight camps at the 223-acre Camp El Tesoro facility in Granbury, school-based and nature day camps, licensed afterschool enrichment embedded within Aledo ISD (eight elementary schools) and Fort Worth ISD (two schools), a Teens in Action leadership program, grief support camps, and the Texas Outdoor Education Center.

The organization's differentiated infrastructure comprises the Camp El Tesoro multi-use camp (accredited by the American Camp Association for 70+ years and licensed by Texas DSHS), the Zem Neill Camp Fire Resource Center in Fort Worth for meeting rentals, and a research-based program-evaluation stack built around the Thrive Theory framework and Camp Fire Program Quality Assessment. A growing Early Education Workforce Development division operates the first U.S. Department of Labor-approved Early Education Apprenticeship Program in Texas, the School Readiness program (with six-year documented literacy outcomes versus peers), and now Texas Education Agency-approved continuing professional education for early childhood educators. Programs are delivered through direct online registration (CampBrain), embedded school-district partnerships, and community-based recruitment.

Revenue is diversified across program fees (overnight camps $640–$1,710 per session; day camps $225–$240 weekly), recurring individual donations (Spark Ignitors monthly giving), foundation and corporate grants (including $1.1M from Leo Potishman and $751,800 from J.E. and L.E. Mabee), government contracts, special events (Ignite art gala, El Tesoro de la Vida Benefit Dinner), and facility rentals ($200–$600 daily). The organization is governed by a community board, led by President & CEO Brian Miller, and affiliated with national Camp Fire; the El Tesoro Foundation holds property and endowment assets in support of the council's mission.

Name

Camp Fire U S A First Texasuncil

Legal name

Camp Fire First Texas

Website

https://campfirefw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Camp Fire First Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1914 serving approximately 24,600 children, youth, and families annually across six North Texas counties through overnight camps, licensed afterschool programs, teen leadership, grief support, and early childhood educator workforce development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB), Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Overnight summer camps
• Afterschool enrichment
• Early education workforce
• Teen leadership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Worth

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Tuition-based fees charged for overnight camps, day camps, and afterschool programs. Fees vary by program type, session length, and include registration deposits and weekly rates.
2. Individual Donations: Direct contributions from individuals including Spark Ignitors monthly giving program, tribute giving, and non-cash donations. Supported through the organization's secure donation portal.
3. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Funding from foundations including Leo Potishman Foundation ($1.1 million for Lake Leo construction), J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation ($751,800 challenge grant), Rainwater Charitable Foundation, and corporate partners. Also includes government funding such as CARES Act support.
4. Special Events and Galas: Annual fundraising events including Ignite art gala, El Tesoro de la Vida Benefit Dinner, An Artists' Christmas, and North Texas Giving Day participation.
5. Facility Rental: Meeting room rentals at the Zem Neill Camp Fire Resource Center generate revenue. Five versatile rooms accommodate 8-160 people with daily fees ranging from $200-$600.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Camp Fire First Texas delivers a portfolio of youth development programs including overnight camps at Camp El Tesoro, day camps, a specialized grief camp, licensed afterschool enrichment programs operating within partner school districts, teen leadership programs (Teens in Action), and the Texas Outdoor Education Center. The organization also operates an Early Education Workforce Development division offering the first-of-its-kind-in-Texas Early Education Apprenticeship Program, TEA-approved professional development courses, and a School Readiness program. Facility rentals at the Resource Center and Camp El Tesoro provide additional revenue.

Product overview

Camp Fire First Texas is a nonprofit youth development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offerings include overnight camps at Camp El Tesoro (a 223-acre ACA-accredited facility), day camps in multiple locations (Aledo, Westcliff, Nature Day Camp), grief support camp (El Tesoro de la Vida), licensed afterschool enrichment in Fort Worth and Aledo ISDs, the Teens in Action teen leadership program, and the Texas Outdoor Education Center for school field trips. Supporting these youth programs is the Early Education Workforce Development division, which provides professional development courses, the Texas-approved Early Education Apprenticeship Program, and School Readiness programs for early educators. Additional services include meeting room rental at the Zem Neill Camp Fire Resource Center, family camping weekends, and group retreat facilities. The organization serves Tarrant, Parker, Wise, Hood, Johnson, and Denton counties with approximately 24,000 annual participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camp El Tesoro: 223-acre multi-use overnight and day camp located in Granbury, Texas established in 1934
• Teens in Action
• Texas Outdoor Education Center

Products and services

• Overnight Camps (Camp El Tesoro)
• Day Camps (Aledo, Westcliff, El Tesoro Nature)
• Grief Camp (El Tesoro de la Vida)
• Afterschool Programs
• Teens in Action
• Texas Outdoor Education Center
• Early Education Apprenticeship Program (EEAP)
• Early Education Professional Development Courses
• School Readiness Program
• Meeting Room Rental (Zem Neill Camp Fire Resource Center)
• Camping Weekends
• Group Retreats

Quantifiable outcome

• 24,601 children, youth and adults impacted annually
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Afterschool AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit organization working to ensure that all children have access to quality afterschool programs. Supports policy advocacy and resource development for afterschool initiatives.
• Aledo Independent School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic school district providing afterschool program space at 8 elementary schools. Partnership enables Camp Fire to deliver licensed enrichment programs directly within Aledo ISD schools.
• American Camp AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children, youth, and families through experiences shared in the outdoors. Provides accreditation standards and professional development for camps.
• Boys and Girls Club of Greater Tarrant CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development organization serving Greater Tarrant County. Collaborative partner in serving youth across the region.
• Cook Children's HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional pediatric healthcare system supporting community health initiatives for children and families.
• Early Learning AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative focused on strengthening early learning systems in North Texas. Camp Fire participates as partner supporting early childhood education workforce development.
• Fort Worth Independent School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor urban school district with afterschool partnerships at Overton Park Elementary and Westcliff Elementary. Also partner in School Readiness program showing measurable academic outcomes.
• Fort Worth Museum of Science and HistoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal museum that hosted Camp Fire centennial artifacts display in 2014. Collaborative partner for youth educational experiences.
• Help Me Grow North TexasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork connecting families to developmental and health resources for young children. Camp Fire provides early education workforce development support.
• Read Fort WorthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity initiative focused on early literacy. Aligns with Camp Fire School Readiness program outcomes.
• Tarleton State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic university in Fort Worth. Board representation from Tarleton State supports workforce development and education programs.
• Tarrant County CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college supporting early education workforce development pathways through partnership.
• Texas Department of Child and Protective ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing regulatory oversight and collaboration for child welfare and protection services.
• Texas Parks and WildlifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency hosting Becoming an Outdoors Woman program at Camp El Tesoro. Supports outdoor education and environmental awareness initiatives.
• Texas Rising StarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuality rating and improvement system for Texas child care providers. Camp Fire professional development helps educators achieve Texas Rising Star certification.
• The WARM PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrief support center for children and families. Aligned with Camp Fire El Tesoro de la Vida grief camp mission to support bereaved youth.
• United Way of Tarrant CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor community partner providing funding and community impact support. Historical relationship dating to United Fund founding in 1922.
• United Way of Hood CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal United Way chapter serving Hood County where Camp El Tesoro is located.
• Workforce Solutions for Tarrant CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development board providing funding and support for early childhood education apprenticeship and workforce training programs.
• Workforce Solutions North TexascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development board supporting early education workforce pathways through apprenticeship program partnerships.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• National Camp Fire (Camp Fire USA): The national parent organization and brand steward of which Camp Fire First Texas is a council. Comparable as the umbrella body providing accreditation, standards, and brand identity; not a competitor but the structural parent.

Direct peers

• Child Care Associates: Fort Worth-based nonprofit that took over management of Camp Fire's former Child Development Center (now Meacham Early Learning Center). Comparable as a Tarrant County early-childhood education and childcare provider with overlapping ECE workforce development work.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County: Operates youth development, afterschool, and summer programs across Tarrant County serving overlapping low-to-middle-income youth populations. Directly comparable as a community-based youth development nonprofit competing for the same ISD partnerships, donors, and families in Fort Worth.
• Texas 4-H (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension): Statewide youth development program offering summer camps, afterschool enrichment, and STEM/leadership curricula embedded in schools and counties across Texas. Comparable in mission, school partnership model, and geographic reach across Texas counties.
• Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas: National-affiliated youth development nonprofit operating troop programs, camps, and outdoor education across the same North Texas geography. Comparable in mission (youth empowerment), funding mix (donations, program fees, grants), and competition for girls' program registrations and school partnerships.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas: Mentoring-focused nonprofit serving youth in the same North Texas geography with similar donor base and school district relationships. Comparable in funding model, volunteer reliance, and outcomes-based programming targeting at-risk youth.
• YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth: Provides licensed afterschool care, summer day camps, overnight camping (Camp Carter), and youth programs across the same North Texas counties. Competes head-to-head for afterschool contracts with Fort Worth and Aledo ISDs and for family camp registrations.

Broad incumbents

• KinderCare Education: National for-profit early childhood education and afterschool provider operating across the U.S. Comparable in licensed afterschool care and ECE workforce practices, but as a large commercial operator competing in the same parent-purchase market.
• Primrose Schools: Large national franchise network providing early childhood education and afterschool programs across the U.S. Comparable in the licensed ECE and afterschool care category, especially relevant given Camp Fire's School Readiness and EEAP workforce focus.

Regional players

• Dallas Afterschool: North Texas-based intermediary supporting afterschool program quality, funding, and advocacy across the broader DFW region. Comparable as a regional capacity-builder in the same afterschool space, though operating as an intermediary rather than direct provider.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/campfirefw
• Facebookfacebook.com/campfirefw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camp-fire-first-texas
• Instagraminstagram.com/campfirefw
• YouTubeyoutube.com/campfirefw

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Camp Fire U S A First Texasuncil