Kids Across America

What Kids Across America does

Kids Across America (KAA) is a Missouri-incorporated 501(c)(3) Christian sports camp ministry that runs residential summer programs for urban youth ages 9-18, primarily drawn from under-resourced communities across more than 30 U.S. states. The organization operates five age-segmented core programs (KAA 1 for ages 9-12, KAA 2 for ages 13-14, KAA 3 for ages 15-18, Kaleos for adult mentors 20+, and the two-year Higher Ground leadership program with a third-year HG Equip track for ages 19+), all delivered from a single campus cluster in Golden, Missouri, with administrative offices in Branson. Programming combines sports, outdoor recreation (tubing, swimming, high ropes, archery), Bible study curricula (Ambassadors for grades 5-8 and Champions/Women of Destiny for high school), and worship, delivered by 440-600+ seasonal staff recruited through campus visits.

The business model is donation-driven: KAA states that the true cost to host one camper for one week is $1,000, of which 80% (approximately $800) is funded through charitable contributions and 20% through camper tuition of $225-$400. Revenue is diversified across individual and recurring donations, camper tuition and deposits, branded merchandise (sold via uknowkaa.store and kkloset.store), and donor-engagement events including the KAA Cup Golf Invitational, Dove Hunt in Pampa TX, and Pheasant Hunt in Kansas; the organization also accepts planned gifts, stock, cryptocurrency, and in-kind contributions. Customer acquisition is community-led: churches and youth organizations such as Granny's House (552 campers over 19 years), Potters House, K-Life, James River Church, and Elevate Branson drive group registrations through the icamppro.com portal, while the Angel Tree Camping partnership with Prison Fellowship extends access to children of incarcerated parents at a $25 price point.

Operationally, KAA serves nearly 4,000 campers in 2024 against a stated capacity of 6,500+, employs Randy Odom as President and CEO with Ron Harrison as Business Manager, and is governed by a Board of Directors under an annually audited, ECFA-aligned structure. The organization cites a cumulative impact of 100,000+ youth over 30+ years and reinvests heavily in alumni infrastructure (Alumni Network, Higher Ground Alumni, Dallas meetups in 2024, the KAA Podcast), positioning donor and volunteer retention as core operational priorities rather than commercial growth metrics.

Name

Kids Across America

Legal name

Kids Across America

Website

https://kaakamps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kids Across America is a Missouri-based 501(c)(3) Christian sports camp ministry running residential summer programs for urban youth ages 9-18, funded primarily by donations that cover 80% of a $1,000-per-camper weekly cost.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Residential Camps (Faith-Based / Nonprofit Ministry)

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

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK)

Keywords

• Christian summer camps
• Youth ministry programs
• Residential summer camps
• Leadership development camps
• Faith-based youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Branson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, KAA relies heavily on donations from individuals, churches, and organizations. The cost to host 1 camper for 1 week is $1,000, and KAA raises 80% ($800) of the camping costs through donations, allowing youth from under-resourced communities to attend. Donation options include one-time gifts, recurring monthly gifts ($20/month, $67/month), and major sponsorships ($800 per camper, $8,000 per cabin of 10).
2. Camper Tuition and Registration Fees: Camp tuition ranges from $225-$400 per person depending on the program. Deposits of $25-$100 per person are required to secure registration. This represents a small portion of actual costs as campers receive significant scholarship support.
3. Merchandise Sales: KAA operates online stores (uknowkaa.store and kkloset.store) selling branded merchandise including hoodies ($35-$50), t-shirts, and other apparel.
4. Outdoor Events and Experiences: KAA hosts outdoor adventure events including the KAA Cup Golf Invitational, Dove Hunt in Pampa, TX, and Pheasant Hunt in Kansas. These events provide donation opportunities while offering recreational experiences.
5. In-Kind Contributions: KAA accepts donations of food, sports equipment, vehicles, and other in-kind contributions. During summer, KAA consumes 8 tons of beef, 13 tons of vegetables, and 14 tons of fruit.
6. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: KAA accepts bequests through wills/trusts, gifts of stock, Charitable Remainder Trusts, donor advised funds, life insurance, and cryptocurrency.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kids Across America is a nonprofit Christian sports camp ministry that runs week-long residential summer camps for urban youth ages 9–18 at its facilities in Golden, Missouri, integrating sports, Bible study, worship, and outdoor adventure. It also operates a two-year Christian leadership program (Higher Ground) for high school students, an adult mentor camp (Kaleos), specialized team sports camps (KAA Elite), Bible study curricula (Ambassadors, Champions/Women of Destiny), outdoor fundraising events, a branded merchandise store, and alumni networks.

Product overview

Kids Across America (KAA) operates as a Christian sports camp ministry offering a portfolio of residential camping programs and related services. The core offering consists of age-targeted summer camp programs: KAA 1 (ages 9–12), KAA 2 (ages 13–14), KAA 3 (ages 15–18), Kaleos (adult mentors ages 20+), and Higher Ground (a two-year leadership development program for ages 14–18 with a third-year track called HG Equip for ages 19+). Supporting programs include KAA Elite (specialized sports initiative for teams), the Ambassador and Champions/Women of Destiny Bible study curricula, the KAA Alumni Network, and the Higher Ground Alumni network. The organization also runs outdoor events through KAA Outfitters, Golf Outings, and Dove Hunt, offers summer staff employment, manages an online merchandise store (K-Kloset), produces The KAA Podcast, and operates annual fundraising campaigns including KAA Giving Day and a Benevolence Fund. Camp programs are held at facilities in Golden, Missouri, with administrative offices in Branson, Missouri.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KAA 1: Camp program for ages 9-12
• KAA 2
• KAA 3
• Kaleos
• Higher Ground
• KAA Elite
• KAA Outfitters
• Ambassadors
• Champions & Women of Destiny (CWOD)
• HG Equip

Products and services

• KAA 1 Summer Camp Week-long residential summer camp program for children ages 9–12 that integrates sports, Bible study, worship, and outdoor activities within a Christian leadership framework. Campers attend KAA's Missouri facilities with adult mentors (Kaleos) and receive an $800 scholarship reducing tuition to $225 with a $25 deposit.
• KAA 2 Summer Camp Week-long residential summer camp for teens ages 13–14 that builds on KAA 1 with age-appropriate sports training, Bible study, and spiritual development activities at KAA's Missouri facilities.
• KAA 3 Summer Camp Week-long residential summer camp for high school ages 15–18 offering advanced sports training, biblical teaching, and leadership opportunities at KAA's Missouri facilities.
• Kaleos Adult Camp Adult residential camp program for youth leaders ages 20+ (Kaleos) who serve as mentors for camper groups. Operates at a 1-to-10 leader-to-camper ratio and provides spiritual renewal and ministry rest alongside the youth programs.
• Higher Ground Leadership Camp Two-year Christian leadership development program for high school students ages 14–18, focused on biblical disciple-making and servant-leadership development. More than 4,000 students from 30 states have completed the program.
• Higher Ground Equip (HG Equip) Third-year track of the Higher Ground program for young adults ages 19+, providing advanced biblical teaching, ministry training, and disciple-making strategies for those seeking deeper faith and ministry impact. Tuition is $225 per person.
• KAA Elite Team Camps Specialized sports initiative for teams and coaches from across the United States, providing structured training with weight-lifting equipment and recreational activities such as tubing, archery, and high adventure at KAA's Missouri facilities.
• Ambassadors Bible Study Program Three-year Bible enrichment program for students in grades 5–8 designed to develop future leaders for Christ in schools, family, community, and church. Extends the camp experience into year-round discipleship curriculum.
• Champions & Women of Destiny (CWOD) Two-year Bible study program for high school youth developing leaders through commitments in spiritual growth, family, academic/career, purity, and leadership. Companion curriculum to the Higher Ground camp program.
• Summer Staff Program Seasonal employment program for college students and athletes (over 600 annually) who serve as coaches, teachers, mentors, and counselors during the summer camp season. 27% of 2024 summer staff were former KAA campers.
• KAA Outfitters (Hunting & Fishing Events) Outdoor hunting and fishing adventure events program sponsoring urban youth to attend camp, including annual pheasant hunts and other outdoor excursions. Events generate donations for camper scholarships.
• KAA Golf Outings (KAA Cup) Fundraising golf events including the KAA Cup held at world-class Missouri courses (Payne's Valley, Mountain Top, Buffalo Ridge) that help fund scholarships for youth to attend camp.
• Dove Hunt (Pampa, TX) Annual dove hunting event held in Pampa, TX, with a donation covering a two-person team and sponsoring a full week of camp for a child from an under-resourced community.
• Angel Tree Camping Partnership Partnership with Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree Camping program that provides camp opportunities for children of incarcerated parents at a reduced registration fee of $25 per camper.
• KAA Alumni Network Official alumni program for current and past summer staff and campers, offering newsletter updates, networking opportunities, city meetups, reunions, and professional development resources.
• KAA Store (K-Kloset Merchandise) Online merchandise store selling KAA branded apparel including hoodies ($35–$50), crewnecks, and t-shirts through uknowkaa.store (general merch) and kkloset.store (thrift store items).
• The KAA Podcast

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,905 kids and teens made decisions for Christ at camp in one summer
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Angel Tree Camping / Prison FellowshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing Christian camping opportunities specifically for children of incarcerated parents. Angel Tree camping allows these children to experience the outdoors, make friends, and meet caring adult counselors. Registration costs $25 per Angel Tree camper, significantly subsidized through this partnership.
• Elevate BransonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization in Branson, MO addressing root causes of poverty through access to resources, relationships, and network of support. KAA joined for annual Summer Bash Block Party serving the Branson community. HG students toured Elevate Branson and learned about its mission.
• Camp BarnabasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partnership for camping for individuals with physical and/or developmental disabilities and their families. KAA directs ineligible campers to Camp Barnabas (417-476-2565) when KAA cannot accommodate their needs.
• James River ChurchminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChurch volunteers provide service hours at KAA. Goal to bring $25,000 value in labor and $25,000 in supplies/resources monthly to serve as a Christ-serving partner in the community.
• South Haven Baptist ChurchminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChurch volunteers assist with cabin painting and other prep work for summer camp season. Part of larger volunteer effort to prepare camp facilities.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• WinShape Camps: WinShape Foundation, founded by Chick-fil-A's Truett Cathy, runs Christian summer camps with sports, leadership development, and spiritual formation for youth—directly comparable in mission, program structure, and donor-funded model.
• Pine Cove Camps: Pine Cove operates a network of Christian residential summer camps across Texas and the Southeast, blending sports, outdoor adventure, and biblical teaching for youth ages 6-18—closely aligned with KAA's multi-sport, faith-anchored camp format.
• CentriKid Camps: CentriKid, operated by LifeWay, provides Christian summer camps for grades 2-6 emphasizing sports, recreation, and Bible study—comparable to KAA's KAA 1/KAA 2 programs in audience age and faith-anchored sports programming.
• Camp Barnabas: Camp Barnabas is a Christian camp serving individuals with physical and developmental disabilities—a current referral partner of KAA—operating with a similar donor-subsidized, mission-driven, residential camp model.
• StudentLife Camps: StudentLife runs Christian overnight summer camps across the U.S. focused on youth ministry groups and student pastors, with sports, worship, and small-group programming—directly comparable to KAA's Kaleo mentor-driven church group model.
• Kanakuk Kamps: Kanakuk is a Christian sports camp network also based in the Branson, Missouri area, offering multi-sport residential summer camps for youth with integrated faith-based programming—directly comparable to KAA's model, location, and target demographic.
• Royal Family KIDS: Royal Family KIDS runs camps specifically for children of incarcerated parents, similar to KAA's Angel Tree partnership—overlapping niche focus, donor-funded model, and ministry-based youth development.
• Young Life: Young Life is a nationwide Christian youth ministry combining relational outreach, summer camps (e.g., Young Life Camp), and leadership development—comparable to KAA in mission, donor dependency, and youth development approach.

Others

• Adventures in Missions: Adventures in Missions is a faith-based nonprofit running youth and adult mission trips and leadership development programs; comparable to KAA in mission orientation and donor-funded youth engagement, but operates mission-trip rather than residential camp formats.

Regional players

• Joni and Friends Family Retreats: Joni and Friends runs Christian family retreats and disability ministry programs across multiple U.S. regions; comparable to KAA in faith-based ministry and camp-format programming, but focused on disability outreach rather than urban youth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KAAKamps
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/kidsacrossamerica
• Facebookfacebook.com/KAAKamps
• Instagraminstagram.com/kaakamps/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@kaakamps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kids-across-america-fondation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Kids Across America