Lions Bear Lake Camp

What Lions Bear Lake Camp does

Lions Bear Lake Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 and based in Lapeer, Michigan. It operates on a 120-acre campus and delivers outdoor educational and recreational programming primarily for visually impaired and blind youth, deaf and hard of hearing youth, and their families. Since founding, the camp has served over 10,000 campers and visitors, beginning with 53 participants in its first year.

Core programming consists of youth summer camps run on parallel VIB and DHH tracks, family camps, a challenge course, and a Leadership Development Program that extends engagement beyond the summer season. Adaptive equipment including the Versa Paddle System for kayaking supports participation across disability types.

Revenue is generated through a mix of camper registration fees, individual camper sponsorships, donations, and a recurring calendar of fundraising events including a Golf Classic, Baseball Game, Clay Pigeon Shoot, and Ultra Marathon. The camp holds American Camp Association accreditation, operates under Michigan state camp licensing, and is supported institutionally by Lions Clubs throughout Michigan and through a partnership with the Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.

Name

Lions Bear Lake Camp

Legal name

Lions Visually Impaired Youth Camp, Inc.

Website

https://bearlakecamp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lions Bear Lake Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 120-acre outdoor campus in Lapeer, Michigan, delivering summer camps, family camps, and leadership programs for visually impaired/blind and deaf/hard of hearing youth and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Accessible Youth Summer Camps

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), 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), Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI)

Keywords

• Accessible youth summer camps
• Disability residential camping
• Outdoor leadership programs
• Nonprofit camp fundraising events
• Camper sponsorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lapeer

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Camper Registration Fees: Registration fees for summer camps and family camps. Family camp registration is $100 per family. Sponsorship options available at $995 for youth camps.
2. Donations and Fundraising: General donations, memorial donations, honorarium donations, and fellowship programs. Donation amounts range from $25 to $10,000 for memorial donations. Fellowship programs at $500-$1,000 minimum contributions.
3. Event Fundraisers: Annual fundraising events including Golf Classic ($125 per golfer), Baseball Game fundraiser ($38 per person), Clay Pigeon Shoot ($75 per person), Bear Lake Ultra Marathon, Ice Plunge events, and quilt raffles.
4. Named Sponsorships: Picnic tables ($2,000), memorial benches ($2,000), and Al Kassin Fellowship ($1,000 minimum), Esther LaMothe Fellowship ($500 minimum) for recognition of donors.
5. Camper Sponsorships: Sponsors can fund campers at youth camps for $995, or $350 for Deaf and Hard of Hearing camp sponsorship. Family camp sponsorships also available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lions Bear Lake Camp operates year-round residential and family camp programs on a 120-acre accessible campus in Lapeer, Michigan, serving children and youth who are visually impaired/blind or deaf/hard of hearing. Its core offerings include the Blind and Visually Impaired Youth Camp, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth Camp, Visually Impaired & Blind Family Camp, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Family Camp, a Challenge Course (climbing tower and zipline), and a Leadership Development Program. The nonprofit supplements these programs with annual fundraising events (Golf Classic, Baseball Game Fundraiser, Bear Lake Ultra Marathon, Clay Pigeon Shoot), camper sponsorships, and donation/recognition programs.

Product overview

Lions Bear Lake Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation operated by Lions Visually Impaired Youth Camp, Inc., offering a comprehensive portfolio of residential and family camp programs primarily serving visually impaired, blind, deaf, and hard of hearing youth and families. The core programs include Blind and Visually Impaired Youth Camp, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth Camp, VIB Family Camp, and DHH Family Camp, supplemented by a Leadership Development Program and Challenge Course activities. The camp operates year-round on a 120-acre campus in Lapeer, Michigan, providing outdoor educational and recreational experiences designed to develop independence, confidence, and leadership skills. Fundraising activities include Golf Classic, Baseball Game Fundraiser, Bear Lake Ultra Marathon, Clay Pigeon Shoot, and Quilt Raffle. Recognition programs include Al Kassin Fellowship Award ($1,000 minimum), Esther LaMothe Fellowship Award ($500 minimum), Banner Patch Program, and tribute donations for picnic tables and benches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Visually Impaired & Blind Youth Camp: Summer camp program for visually impaired and blind youth
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth Camp
• VIB Family Camp
• DHH Family Camp
• Leadership Development Program

Products and services

• Blind and Visually Impaired Youth Camp Residential summer camp program designed specifically for visually impaired and blind youth, providing outdoor educational and recreational experiences with accessible accommodations on the 120-acre Lapeer campus. Intended for children and youth with vision impairment and their families.
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth Camp Residential summer camp program designed for deaf and hard of hearing youth, offering ASL-friendly and communication-accessible outdoor activities and experiences.
• Visually Impaired & Blind Family Camp Family camp session where family members with visual impairments can participate together with their loved ones in accessible cabins. Registration is $100 per family.
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Family Camp Family camp session for families with deaf or hard of hearing members, featuring kayaking, climbing, arts and crafts, and swimming. Registration is $100 per family.
• Leadership Development Program Year-round program focused on developing leadership skills and building confidence in youth participants at the camp.
• Challenge Course Series of mentally and physically challenging activities including a climbing tower and zipline, designed to build self-confidence and group cohesion, offered to youth campers and outside groups such as school Links Programs.
• Golf Classic Fundraiser Annual golf tournament fundraiser hosted at Boulder Pointe Golf Club in Oxford, MI, priced at $125 per golfer, $500 per foursome, or $40 for dinner only, to raise funds for camp operations.
• Baseball Game Fundraiser Jimmy John's Baseball Game & Picnic Fundraiser featuring games between the Westside Wooly Mammoths and Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers, with $10 from every $38 ticket donated to the camp.
• Bear Lake Ultra Marathon Annual endurance running event hosted on the Lions Bear Lake Camp campus, registered through RunSignUp, to raise funds for the camp.
• Clay Pigeon Shoot Bustin' Clays for Bear Lake Camp fundraiser held at Fenton Sportsman's Club at $75 per person, including 13 stations, breakfast, and lunch.
• Crafting Weekend Registration Weekend retreat featuring crafting activities, including the quilt raffle drawing held on November 14, 2026.
• Al Kassin Fellowship Award Recognition program honoring individuals and organizations demonstrating commitment to the camp's mission, requiring a minimum contribution of $1,000, which can be spread over up to 3 years.
• Esther LaMothe Fellowship Award Recognition honor for donors with unwavering commitment to community welfare and youth programs, requiring a minimum contribution of $500, which can be spread over up to 3 years.
• Picnic Table Donation Commemorative personalized tribute ADA-compliant picnic table displayed throughout the camp campus, available for a $2,000 donation.
• Bench Donation Commemorative personalized tribute bench with up to 3 lines of inscription, displayed throughout the camp campus, available for a $2,000 donation.
• Banner Patch Program Donor recognition program for Lions Clubs with three tiers: Plain ($50-$499), Silver ($500-$999), and Gold ($1,000+).
• Quilt Raffle Annual fundraising raffle with $1 tickets for a chance to win a handcrafted king-size quilt, with the drawing on November 14, 2026.
• Camper Sponsorship Donation program to sponsor campers attending Lions Bear Lake Camp programs: Visually Impaired & Blind Camp sponsorship at $995, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Camp sponsorship at $350, and Family Camp sponsorships.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lions Clubs InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary organizational partner owning and operating Lions Bear Lake Camp through Lions Visually Impaired Youth Camp, Inc. Lions Clubs and Leo Clubs provide major financial support, volunteers, and community connections throughout Michigan.
• Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care NeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide camperships (up to $250) for students with IEPs who need financial support to attend summer camp in Michigan.
• Michigan Department of Human ServicescoreOthersState licensing authority that annually reviews the camp for compliance in health and safety, site suitability, activities, and staffing.
• American Camp AssociationcoreOthersVoluntary accreditation body that has reviewed the camp against up to 300 standards for program quality and health and safety.
• Various Michigan Lions Clubs (District 11-D2, Waterford Lions Club, Shelby Twp Lions Club, Eshbach Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Lions Clubs provide sponsorship for specific facilities including the Shelby Twp. Lions Dining Hall, Nature Center, Art Center, Activity Center, Tony & Jeanne Coccia Health Center, and Shower House.
• Boulder Pointe Golf ClubminorOthersHost venue for the annual Lions Bear Lake Camp Golf Classic fundraiser in Oxford, MI.
• Jimmy John's FieldminorOthersHost venue for the annual Jimmy John's Baseball Game & Picnic Fundraiser in Utica, MI.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Mark Seven Deaf Camp: Residential summer camp for deaf and hard of hearing children and their families, operated under the Lutheran tradition. Direct peer on the DHH side of Lions Bear Lake Camp's program portfolio.
• Camp Abilities: Network of developmental sports camps for children and adolescents who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. Closest direct peer given overlapping mission serving visually impaired youth through sports and recreation programming.
• Camp Courage (Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute): Allina Health's year-round recreation facility serving children and adults with disabilities. Comparable residential recreation model serving a similar disability population with adapted outdoor activities.
• Camp ASCCA: Alabama's Special Camp for Children and Adults is a year-round recreational camp serving individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Most directly comparable as a residential camp purpose-built for a similar disability-focused population.
• Camp Cedar (Shriners): Shriners-affiliated residential camp for children with special medical needs. Comparable fraternal-nonprofit camp model with adapted programming, serving a different but adjacent disability population.

Regional players

• Lions Camp Merrick: Lions-affiliated camp in Maryland serving deaf and hard of hearing children. Most structurally comparable peer as another Lions Club nonprofit camp with shared branding and operational model, though serving a different disability population and region.

Broad incumbents

• Variety the Children's Charity: International children's charity that funds mobility, accessibility equipment, and adaptive experiences including camp programs for children with disabilities. Adjacent funder rather than direct operator, but plays a similar role in the accessible recreation ecosystem.
• Easterseals Camps: National network of Easterseals-affiliated camps serving children and adults with disabilities. Larger, multi-site operator with broader mission, but directly comparable camp programming for similar audiences.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lionsbearlakecamp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lions-bear-lake-camp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Lions Bear Lake Camp