Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

What Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing does

Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1967 that operates the only year-round residential camp in the United States specifically serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and the signing community. The organization delivers experiential, educational, outdoor, and recreational programming on a 17-acre riparian forest campus along Snowmass Creek at 7,582 feet elevation near Aspen, Colorado. Its mission addresses the limited availability of accessible outdoor recreation and the social isolation experienced by Deaf individuals in hearing-centric environments, providing a fully signing environment where American Sign Language is the primary language. The organization has served more than 25,000 campers across its history and draws participants from across the nation.

The organization offers roughly 12 distinct program lines spanning children, youth, adults, and families. Core offerings include Youth Summer Camps (age-segmented adventure sessions for ages 8-16 at $1,000-$1,300 per camper), Families in Nature Camp ($650 per family), ASL Immersion Camp ($425), Holistic Nature Retreat ($900-$1,000), Job Skills Training Camp in partnership with Schools for the Deaf in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico, Adult Winter Camp, Women's Snowshoe Retreat, Wilderness First Aid courses delivered through NOLS, and specialized programming such as the DOVE women's retreat for domestic violence survivors delivered with Sego Lily Center. Registration is processed through CampDoc (Doc Network), and scholarships are available for the Youth Summer Camp. The organization is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors (currently 9 members) with a small core staff of three: Executive Director, Program Leader, and Facilities/Caretaker.

Aspen Camp's revenue model is diversified across program registration fees, individual donations, annual fundraising events (including the Starlit Soiree Gala at TACAW and the Thursday Night Concert Series with the Town of Snowmass Village and Aspen Ski Co.), grant funding (notably the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute partnership), facility rentals newly launched in 2025, and ancillary shuttle services to area airports. Annual revenue is disclosed as under $250,000, the Colorado threshold below which independent CPA audits are not required. The camp served more than 450 participants in 2025 across 18 programs and events, marking a milestone year of renewal under first Deaf full-time Executive Director Max Wilding, who was appointed in 2024.

Name

Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Legal name

Aspen Camp for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Website

https://aspencamp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the only year-round residential camp in the United States serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, delivering outdoor educational and recreational programs on its 17-acre campus near Aspen, Colorado.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outdoor Education and Recreational Camp Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAMALAA

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

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

SECONDARYEDAMAFAL

Language Immersion Programs & Camps (Local/Seasonal)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Language Learning & Conversation Programs

Keywords

• Deaf outdoor education
• Accessible summer camps
• ASL immersion programs
• Deaf community programs
• Nonprofit recreation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Snowmass

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Registration Fees: Fees charged for participation in camps and retreats including Youth Summer Camp ($1,000-$1,300), Families in Nature ($650/family), ASL Immersion Camp ($425), and Holistic Nature Retreat ($900-$1,000).
2. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting the camp's mission. Give Five campaign suggested donation levels: $5, $55, $500, $5,000.
3. Annual Gala Fundraising: Starlit Soiree Gala raises funds through ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and donor contributions to support year-round programs, scholarships, and facility improvements.
4. Thursday Night Concert Series Proceeds: Partnership with Town of Snowmass Village and Aspen Ski Co provides free weekly concerts; all beverage sales proceeds go directly to Aspen Camp.
5. Thursday Night Concert Series Proceeds: Partnership with Town of Snowmass Village and Aspen Ski Co provides free weekly concerts; all beverage sales proceeds go directly to Aspen Camp.
6. Grants: Grant funding from organizations including NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute for wilderness first aid programming and support for DOVE partnership for Women's Retreat.
7. Facility Rentals: Campus opened for new facility rentals starting 2025. Hosts external groups for retreats and training programs.
8. Shuttle Services: Transportation services to/from Denver Airport ($50), Aspen Airport ($10), and Glenwood Springs ($20) for program participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Aspen Camp provides year-round outdoor experiential, educational, and recreational programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, youth, adults, and families on a 17-acre campus in Snowmass, Colorado. Programs include summer camps, winter camps, family retreats, ASL immersion courses, job skills training, wellness retreats, and specialized support programs, all delivered in a fully signing environment with ASL as the primary language. The organization serves as the only year-round residential camp for the hearing loss population and sign language community in the United States.

Product overview

Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing operates a diverse portfolio of experiential, educational, outdoor, and recreational programs designed specifically for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and families. The organization offers year-round programming including Youth Summer Camps (with adventure sessions for different age groups), Families In Nature Camp, ASL Immersion Camp (with beginner and intermediate levels), Job Skills Training Camp for transition-aged students, various winter programs (Women's Snowshoe Retreat, Adult Winter Camp, Winter Retreats), wellness retreats (Holistic Nature Retreat), specialized programming (Women's Retreat for domestic violence survivors, Luna Moth Immersion for Nature and Forest Therapy certification), and Wilderness First Aid certification courses. The camp also runs a Thursday Night Concert Series partnership and an annual Starlit Soiree Gala for fundraising. All programs are designed for the signing community with ASL as the primary language, delivered at the organization's 17-acre riparian forest campus along Snowmass Creek at 7,582 feet elevation near Aspen, Colorado.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Summer Camp Year-round outdoor adventure camp program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth featuring white-water rafting, ropes courses, rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, cave exploration, swimming, and leadership activities across multiple age-based sessions ($1,000-$1,300 per camper).
• Families in Nature Camp Family outdoor experience along Snowmass Creek for Deaf and Hard of Hearing families, including Hearing Parents with Deaf Children and CODA families, with activities designed for children ages 4-12 ($650 per family).
• ASL Immersion Camp American Sign Language and Deaf culture immersion program for adults aged 21+, with two levels (ASL 1 for beginners, ASL 2 for intermediate), conducted exclusively in ASL ($425 per participant).
• Job Skills Training Camp (JSTC) Transition-aged student program teaching outdoor recreation skills, basic construction, facility maintenance, and culinary arts, partnering with schools for the Deaf from multiple states.
• Holistic Nature Retreat Adult wellness retreat featuring meditation, mindful movement, forest bathing, nature therapy, yoga, herbal workshops, and sustainable living practices at 7,582 feet elevation ($900-$1,000 per participant).
• Women's Snowshoe Retreat Winter outdoor retreat for Deaf and Hard of Hearing women featuring snowshoeing, community building, and connection with nature in a fully signing environment.
• Adult Winter Camp Winter outdoor program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults featuring snowshoeing, cabin lodging, yoga, games, and community connection.
• Luna Moth Immersion Training Nature and Forest Therapy certification training program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing participants offered by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs.
• Women's Retreat for Domestic Violence Survivors Specialized four-day experience for Deaf women who are survivors of domestic violence, conducted in partnership with DOVE (Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment) and Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf of Utah.
• Wilderness First Aid with NOLS Wilderness First Aid/CPR certification course hosted on-site through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), with scholarships available for Deaf participants through the NOLS Moving Hands Scholarship.
• Facility Rentals Campus opened for new facility rentals in 2025, hosting external groups for retreats and training programs on the 17-acre campus along Snowmass Creek.
• Shuttle Services Transportation services to/from Denver International Airport ($50), Aspen Airport ($10), and Glenwood Springs ($20) for program participants traveling to the remote Colorado mountain location, with staff pickup coordination.

Quantifiable outcome

• 450+ participants from across the nation in 2025
• +2 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 August 2023NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute provided grant funding and curriculum for first Wilderness First Aid/CPR course at Aspen Camp in August 2023 with 29 participants. NOLS Moving Hands Scholarship supported 4 Deaf participants. Training held on-site at camp pavilion.
• DOVE: Deaf Overcoming Violence through EmpowermentstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023Denver-based nonprofit serving Deaf survivors of domestic violence. Partnered to offer 4-day women's retreat at Aspen Camp for 8 women struggling with ongoing life challenges as survivors of domestic violence. Grant-funded program.
• Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf of UtahstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023Utah-based center for abused Deaf individuals. Co-partner with DOVE for the 4-day women's retreat serving Deaf women survivors of domestic violence. Program focused on choice, change, laughter, outdoor time, and self-care.
• Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and ProgramsstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2023Partnered to host Luna Moth Immersion Training (June 4-8, 2023) with 12 participants. Five Guides-in-Training returned to lead Families in Nature programs in July. Training may return in 2024 with potential expansion.
• Roaring Fork LeadershipcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Roaring Fork Leadership Cohort raised funds for Job Skills Training Camp through Pre-Hang-out Event at TACAW Motet Concert. Team of six valley residents raised significant funds and raised visibility for Aspen Camp.
• Mennonite Disaster Service (Colorado/New Mexico Chapter)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2022Volunteer support from 30+ individuals for weekend service work including furniture moving, fire mitigation, deep cleaning, and ADA ramp groundwork for deafplus participants. Aaron Aeschliman and Katrina Toews led the efforts.
• Town of Snowmass VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership since 2019 for Thursday Night Concert Series providing free weekly concerts (mid-June to mid-August) at Snowmass Village. All beverage sales proceeds go directly to Aspen Camp. This is a flagship community partnership supporting both fundraising and community visibility.
• Aspen Ski CocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Co-partner with Town of Snowmass Village for Thursday Night Concert Series. Supports the free weekly concert programming that generates beverage sales revenue for Aspen Camp.
• TACAW (The Arts Campus At the Willits)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for Starlit Soiree Gala, annual flagship fundraising event. Hosted the 2025 gala featuring live and silent auctions, sponsors, and donors raising funds for year-round programs, scholarships, and facility improvements.
• Colorado School for the Deaf BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in pilot Job Skills Training Camp bringing transitional students to learn construction trade, occupational safety, and life skills. Students completed facility improvements including stage replacement, propane tank installation, and exterior painting.
• Utah School for the Deaf BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in pilot Job Skills Training Camp bringing transitional students to learn construction trade, occupational safety, and life skills.
• New Mexico School for the DeafcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in pilot Job Skills Training Camp and hosted 10-day summer program for 32 children and youth. Jesse Woosley, Camp Director, ran the safe and successful program contributing to learning and outdoor experiences.
• The Giving CypressstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer Crider of The Giving Cypress designed and recruited participants for Luna Moth Immersion Training. Summer (Deaf) co-led the 4-day training and has advanced discussions about returning the training in 2024.
• Challenge AspenminorOthersListed as supporter on website with logo displayed in supporters section.
• Aspen SnowmassminorOthersListed as supporter on website with logo displayed in supporters section.
• SorensonminorOthersListed as supporter on website with logo displayed in supporters section.
• Aspen Thrift ShopminorOthersListed as supporter on website with logo displayed in supporters section.
• Farm CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization that Families in Nature Camp participants visited for animal interactions and farm experiences.
• Windstar FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHikes on WindStar Foundation trail were highlights of Families in Nature Camp programming.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Challenge Aspen: Colorado-based nonprofit offering adaptive outdoor recreation programs for individuals with disabilities including deaf participants. Shares Aspen Camp's Roaring Fork Valley geography and is listed as a community supporter, with overlapping outdoor adventure programming.

Others

• National Association of the Deaf: The preeminent civil rights organization of the Deaf community in the US. Not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem player whose advocacy and resources influence the addressable market for Aspen Camp's programs.
• Hearing Loss Association of America: National consumer advocacy organization for people with hearing loss. Operates in the same broader ecosystem and represents a community awareness and referral channel for Aspen Camp's Hard of Hearing programming.
• DOVE: Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment: Denver-based nonprofit serving Deaf survivors of domestic violence that partners with Aspen Camp to deliver retreats. While not a direct competitor, it operates in the same DHH-serving ecosystem and represents a referral partner in specialized programming.

Broad incumbents

• California School for the Deaf, Fremont: Operates Camp SignShine, a Deaf and Hard of Hearing children's summer program previously coordinated by Aspen Camp board member Jennifer Montoya. Functions as both a potential partner and competitor for youth deaf programming in California.
• Texas School for the Deaf: Operates summer programs and experiential learning for deaf students, comparable in audience and mission to Aspen Camp's school partnership programs. Represents another major state-level deaf education institution with parallel programming.
• New Mexico School for the Deaf: State institution serving deaf students that has partnered with Aspen Camp for summer programming and Job Skills Training. Functions as both a feeder source of participants and a potential operator of competing in-state programming.
• Eagle Lake Camps: Operated programs including the previously mentioned Camp SignShine for Deaf children. Shares the broader youth summer camp market with Aspen Camp and represents a generalist incumbent with overlapping audience segments.

Direct peers

• Camp Gallaudet: Operated by Gallaudet University, Camp Gallaudet is a residential summer camp for Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth, sharing Aspen Camp's core audience and mission of providing signing-environment outdoor programming. It is the most direct comparable in the deaf-camp space.
• Camp Mark Seven: A week-long summer camp for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals held in the Adirondacks of New York, offering recreational and cultural programming in a fully accessible environment. Directly competes with Aspen Camp for deaf youth summer participation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aspencampdhh
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AspenCamp
• Facebookfacebook.com/aspencamp
• Instagraminstagram.com/aspencamp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aspencamp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing