What Camp Quality USA does

Camp Quality USA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, that provides free year-round camp programs, experiences, and companionship to children with cancer (ages 5-17) and their families. Founded in Australia in 1983 by Vera Entwistle and operating in the U.S. since 1986, the organization runs 13 summer camp programs plus over 30 year-round programs including Family Camps, Teen Camps, Sibling Camps, day events, virtual activities, and holiday parties, all staffed with on-site medical professionals and psychosocial support teams and structured around three programmatic pillars: creating belonging, expanding social and emotional awareness, and providing inclusive play and exploration.

The organization's service delivery is built on a distributed network of venue partnerships (YMCA Camp Duncan, Camp Joy, Happiness is Camping, Jellystone Park, Camp For All, Sun Outdoors, and others) and the CampDoc online platform, which manages camper and volunteer applications, medical records, immunization tracking, and annual registration. Camp Quality USA maintains COCA Gold Ribbon accreditation, a Charity Navigator four-star rating, and a GuideStar Platinum transparency seal. All programs are provided completely free to camper families, with the only cost being personal transportation to and from programs.

The organization is funded entirely through donations and grants, with revenue streams spanning individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, employer matching gifts, and merchandise sales hosted through Bonfire. It operates with a small national staff of 11-50 paid employees supported by 600+ volunteers annually (approximately 25% of whom are former campers), is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors, and is led by CEO Laura Vaughn, who joined in 2021. In 2025, the organization completed unification as a single national entity and launched its first Strategic Plan (2026-2028) targeting $10M in revenue by 2028 and a 12% annual increase in children served.

Name

Camp Quality USA

Legal name

Camp Quality USA, Inc.

Website

https://campqualityusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Camp Quality USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free year-round camp programs, retreats, and companionship to children ages 5-17 with cancer and their families across 13 summer camp locations and 30+ annual programs in the U.S.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Support Camps

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

Keywords

• Pediatric cancer support
• Summer camp programs
• Family camp retreats
• Sibling support services
• Nonprofit camping

Headquarters

HQ city

Kalamazoo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals to support free camp programs for children with cancer and their families
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships and business partnerships to fund programs
3. Foundation Grants: Support from local and national foundations and grants
4. Employer Matching: Corporate matching gift programs where employers match employee donations
5. Merchandise Sales: Camp store sales through Bonfire vendor - apparel and gear with portion supporting camps and programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Camp Quality USA provides free, year-round camp programs and experiences for children ages 5-17 diagnosed with cancer and their families, including 13 week-long residential summer camps, weekend family camps, teen camps, sibling camps, and transitional programs such as the Teen Squad. All programs include on-site medical staff and psychosocial support, with over 30 programs delivered annually at no cost to participating families.

Product overview

Camp Quality USA provides a comprehensive portfolio of free camp programs and experiences for children affected by cancer and their families. The core offerings include 13 Summer Camp locations (week-long residential camps for ages 5-17), Family Camps (weekend retreats for the whole family), Teen Camps (weekend experiences for ages 13-17), and Sibling Camps (for siblings of cancer patients ages 7-17). Supporting offerings include the Teen Squad transitional program for older teens, virtual Camp-In experiences, and a Camp Store for branded merchandise. All programs operate year-round and are provided completely free of cost to families. The programs are built around three foundational pillars: creating belonging, expanding social and emotional awareness, and providing inclusive play and exploration. Medical staff support is provided at all programs, with approximately 600+ volunteers participating annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Camp Week-long residential summer camp programs for children ages 5-17 who are current or past pediatric cancer patients, plus their siblings. Camps are held at 13 locations across the U.S. with activities including swimming, archery, fishing, arts and crafts, and campfire programs. Medical staff are on-site to support campers' health needs.
• Family Camp
• Teen Camp Weekend camp experiences for teens between 13-17 years who are current and past pediatric cancer patients and their siblings. Teen Camps provide age-appropriate experiences that allow teens to connect with peers who understand their journey. Locations include Michigan (Beaver Island) and Kansas-Missouri (Kansas City).
• Sibling Camp Weekend sibling camp experiences for children between 7-17 years of age who are siblings of current and past pediatric cancer patients. Sibling camps recognize that siblings of children with cancer also need support and the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations.
• Teen Squad Program An innovative transitional program for teens aged 16-17 that combines camper and volunteer activities. Participants gain leadership experience while still enjoying the camp experience, designed to facilitate seamless transition to volunteer roles when they turn 18. Available at select camp locations.
• Camp-In Virtual Program A digital/virtual camp experience launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. The THRIVE! program included a backpack with themed activities, materials, and goodies, with camp staff providing daily fun activities through a digital platform for campers who could not attend in person.
• Camp Store Online merchandise store selling Camp Quality branded apparel and gear for all camp seasons. Items include hoodies, flannel shirts, pants, shorts, bags, mugs, and accessories. Hosted through Bonfire. A portion of each purchase directly supports Camp Quality USA camps and programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving significantly more kids with cancer every year
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Integration3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BonfireminorOthersCamp Quality USA uses Bonfire as an outside vendor to host their camp store, offering apparel and merchandise to supporters. A portion of each purchase supports Camp Quality USA camps and programs.
• CampDoccoreTechnology or IntegrationCampDoc is the online application system used for managing camper and volunteer applications, medical records, immunization tracking, and annual registration for all Camp Quality programs.
• Children's Mercy HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider referral partnership where hospital staff and nurses inform families about Camp Quality programs. Example cited: Layne's family learned about Camp Quality from Children's Mercy nurses.
• Sun OutdoorscoreOthersDonated camp locations for Family Camp programs. Sun Outdoors provides venues in Sarasota, FL and New Braunfels, TX for Camp Quality family camps at no cost.
• YMCA Camp DuncancoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Illinois summer camp program located in Ingleside, IL
• YMCA Camp CopneconiccoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Michigan South summer camp program located in Fenton, MI
• Camp JoycoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Ohio Fall Family Camp program located in Clarksville, OH
• Camp MitchellcoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Arkansas programs located on Petit Jean Mountain in Morrilton, AR
• Jellystone ParkcoreOthersMultiple Jellystone Park locations host Camp Quality family camps including Barton Lake (Fremont, IN), Petoskey (MI), and Mammoth Cave (KY)
• Camp Woodland HillscoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Central Missouri summer camp located in St. Clair, MO
• Camp DaggettcoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Michigan North summer camp located in Petoskey, MI
• Camp LouconcoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Kentuckiana summer camp located in Leitchfield, KY
• Ozark Camp and Retreat CentercoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Ozarks summer camp located in Neosho, MO on 40 acres of forest
• Lake DoniphancoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Northwest Missouri and Greater Kansas City programs located in Excelsior Springs, MO
• Camp For AllcoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Texas summer camp located in Burton, TX
• Happiness is CampingcoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality New Jersey summer camp located in Hardwick Township, NJ
• Inspiration HillscoreOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Ohio summer camp located in Burbank, OH
• Beaver IslandminorOthersHost location for Camp Quality Michigan Teen Camp weekend experience on Beaver Island, MI
• Three Trails Camp & Retreat CenterminorOthersHost venue for Camp Quality Kansas-Missouri Teen Camp located in Kansas City, MO

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. Comparable in mobilizing donors around pediatric cancer, but focuses on research funding rather than direct camp/family services.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: National childhood cancer foundation funding research and family support. Comparable in childhood cancer focus and donor base, with a much larger fundraising infrastructure.
• National Children's Cancer Society: Provides financial, emotional, and educational support to children with cancer and their families. Comparable in mission and beneficiary population, with a broader geographic and service scope.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Supports families of seriously ill children with lodging and services near hospitals. Comparable in serving families of pediatric cancer patients and competing for overlapping donor dollars, but with a much larger footprint.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Large established nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses including cancer. Comparable in serving the same donor base and beneficiary families, but a much broader, higher-visibility incumbent.

Direct peers

• SeriousFun Children's Network: Global network of camps founded by Paul Newman serving children with serious medical conditions. Operates residential camp programs at no cost with on-site medical staff, directly comparable to Camp Quality's model.
• Camp Mak-A-Dream: Free camp programs in Montana for children, teens, and young adults with cancer. Comparable as a medically-supported, free-to-families camp serving pediatric oncology patients.
• Camp Sunshine: Year-round free camp and retreat programs for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Closely comparable in family-centered, medically-supported, free programming model.
• Special Love (formerly Camp Fantastic): Provides free camp and support programs for children with cancer and their families in the mid-Atlantic region. Direct peer in mission, free-camper model, and medically-supervised camp delivery.

Others

• Children's Oncology Camping Association International (COCA): The umbrella trade association of which Camp Quality is a Gold Ribbon member. Comparable as the governing body that sets medical and safety standards for pediatric oncology camps, including Camp Quality's direct competitors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camp-quality-usa
• Instagraminstagram.com/campqualityusa

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 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 Quality USA