Camp Fish Tales

What Camp Fish Tales does

Camp Fish Tales is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating a barrier-free, universally designed camp on a 67-acre campus in Pinconning, Michigan (Bay County). Founded in 1996 and State of Michigan licensed, the organization serves individuals of all ages with cognitive and physical disabilities, including those with limited mobility, through accessible summer camp sessions, year-round respite weekends, and family camp programs. Core products include week-long overnight summer sessions ($812-$1,574 based on Level 1-3 care needs), respite weekends ($250-$450), and family camp experiences, with adaptive equipment enabling activities such as rock climbing, archery, swimming, and boating. The facility features a main lodge (240 capacity), accessible sleeping cabins (60 capacity), a 2.5-acre pond, and outdoor pavilions.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit mix: tiered camper registration fees, tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporate sponsors (18+ named annual sponsors including Bubbas, Thelen Auto Group, GFL Environmental, and Horizon Bank), facility rentals September through May for weddings/corporate retreats/school groups, and four recurring fundraising events (Fish Races, Haunted Forest, Golf Outing, Bubba's Memorial Weekend Classic). Registration is handled through the third-party CampDoc platform. Programmatic leadership is delivered in partnership with IKUS Life Enrichment Services, which provides expertise while Camp Fish Tales supplies local community connections and the physical facility. The organization has grown from serving 25 campers in 1996 to over 400 annually by 2025, supported by an 8-person staff led by Executive Director Shannon Forshee and Board Chairman Karl Ieuter.

Name

Camp Fish Tales

Legal name

Camp Fish Tales, Inc.

Website

https://campfishtales.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Camp Fish Tales is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit barrier-free camp on 67 acres in Pinconning, Michigan, serving individuals of all ages with disabilities through accessible summer camps, year-round respite weekends, and family programs, funded by camper fees, donations, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Accessible Disability Camping Services

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

Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus) (THAMAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Accessible summer camps
• Disability camp services
• Respite care weekends
• Camp facility rentals
• Nonprofit camping programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Pinconning, MI

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Camper Registration Fees: Tiered registration fees for respite weekends and weeklong summer camp sessions based on level of care required. Level-based pricing structure allows personalization of care and staffing needs.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and annual sponsors. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Major annual sponsorship program supporting accessibility infrastructure projects.
3. Facility Rentals: Camp facilities available for rent September through May for weddings, retreats, corporate events, school groups. Rental of whole camp or partial spaces.
4. Fundraising Events: Annual events including Fish Races, Haunted Forest, Golf Outing, and Bubba's Memorial Weekend Classic that generate proceeds for programming, scholarships, and camp maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Camp Fish Tales operates a barrier-free, universally designed 67-acre camp facility in Pinconning, Michigan, delivering week-long summer camp sessions for youth (ages 7-17) and adults (18+), year-round respite weekends, family camp experiences, and off-season facility rentals for weddings, corporate retreats, and school groups. Programs serve individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities through fully accessible cabins, adaptive activity equipment, and tiered staffing levels matched to camper care needs. Annual fundraising events (Fish Races, Haunted Forest, Golf Outing, Bubba's Memorial Weekend Classic) and a scholarship program round out the portfolio.

Product overview

Camp Fish Tales is a barrier-free, accessible camp nestled on 67 acres in northern Bay County, Michigan, serving children and adults with all types of disabilities. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including week-long Summer Camp Sessions (with separate adult 18+ and youth 7-17 programs), Respite Weekends for caregiver relief, Family Camp experiences, and Facility Rentals for weddings, school retreats, corporate retreats, and events. The camp provides fully accessible cabins, diverse outdoor activities (swimming, boating, archery, rock climbing), and operates year-round with scholarship support for campers who cannot afford tuition. Core programs are complemented by annual fundraising events including Fish Races, Haunted Forest, Golf Outing, and Bubba's Memorial Weekend Classic.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Camp Programs Week-long overnight summer camp sessions for individuals with disabilities, separated into Youth (ages 7-17) and Adult (18+) programs. Campers stay in fully accessible cabins, receive nutritious meals from a full-service commercial kitchen, and participate in swimming, boating, sports, games, campfires, music, and themed events on a 67-acre barrier-free campus.
• Respite Weekends Supervised weekend overnight stays offering fun and supportive getaways for campers with special needs while providing caregivers time to recharge. Activities include arts and crafts, campfires, music, games, and nature exploration. Available throughout the year for both youth and adult cohorts.
• Family Camp Overnight family camping experience featuring accessible activities and bonfire gatherings, designed for bonding time with loved ones in an inclusive outdoor setting at the 67-acre barrier-free campus.
• Facility Rentals Rental of camp facilities including the main lodge (capacity 240), sleeping cabins (capacity 60), 2.5-acre pond, outdoor rock climbing wall, archery/Nerf gun range, full-service commercial kitchen, chapel, and outdoor pavilions. Available September through May for weddings, school retreats, corporate retreats, graduations, showers, meetings, seminars, and family reunions.
• Annual Golf Outing Annual golf fundraiser at Green Hills Golf Course featuring 18 holes with cart, hot dogs at the turn, dinner, raffles, and prizes. Team registration $340 per foursome, with sponsorship tiers ranging from Hole Sponsor ($100) to Event Sponsor ($1,500). Proceeds benefit Camp Fish Tales fishing program.
• Fish Races Annual fundraising event featuring wooden fish races with pari-mutuel betting, fish dinner, BYOB, and live auction. Admission $25 per person; must be 18+ to attend.
• Haunted Forest Annual Halloween experience featuring a haunted forest walk with kid-friendly hours, bonfire, and s'mores. Tickets $5 for ages 13 and under, $10 for ages 14 and up, available at the door only.
• Bubba's Memorial Weekend Classic Annual charity event featuring food, rock 'n' roll, charity bike show, and poker run. Proceeds benefit Camp Fish Tales.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 campers served annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• IKUS Life Enrichment ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2018Partnership with IKUS Life Enrichment Services (formerly Indian Trails Camp, Grand Rapids) to deliver the 11-week camping season in 2018 and beyond. IKUS provides programmatic leadership and expertise while Camp Fish Tales provides local community connections and knowledge.
• 2026 Camp Sponsors (Multiple)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsors including Bubbas, Thelen Auto Group, S&S Industrial Supplies, GFL Environmental, Earthworm Drilling, Rider Type & Design, Ieuter Insurance Group, McDonald Auto Group, Operating Engineers, SBP, United Bay Community Credit Union, Fisher Companies, Horizon Bank, Frankenmuth Credit Union, Garber Chevrolet Linwood, Shaw Contracting Co., CFT Champagne & Marx, Frank's Great Outdoors

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Morgan's Wonderland / Morgan's Inspiration Island: San Antonio-based ultra-accessible theme park and camp concept designed for individuals with disabilities and their families. Comparable in universally designed accessibility infrastructure and mission focus, though structured as a year-round attraction rather than an overnight camp.

Others

• CampDoc: Camp management software platform used by Camp Fish Tales for registration and camper records. Enabling/ecosystem peer rather than a competitor — represents the technology infrastructure that powers the organization's direct-to-family registration flow.

Regional players

• Camp Hayo-Went-Ha: Michigan-based overnight summer camp located in Torch Lake area. Regional peer in the same state serving a different (non-disability-focused) camper population; useful comparable for facility operations and seasonal staffing in the Michigan market.

Direct peers

• Camp Camp: Texas-based nonprofit providing traditional and adaptive summer camp experiences for children and adults with disabilities, including medically complex campers. Comparable in adaptive programming breadth and caregiver-respite weekend offerings.
• Camp Courage: Minnesota-based accessible camp serving individuals with disabilities through overnight summer programs and respite experiences. Comparable in barrier-free facilities, adaptive equipment, and caregiver-respite value proposition.
• Camp Twin Lakes: Georgia-based nonprofit providing fully accessible, adaptive camp experiences for children and young adults with serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges. Highly comparable mission, infrastructure model, and camper/family support programming.
• IKUS Life Enrichment Services: Michigan-based disability services organization (formerly Indian Trails Camp, Grand Rapids) that delivers accessible camping and life-enrichment programming. Direct peer given overlapping mission, shared camper populations, and existing programmatic partnership with Camp Fish Tales.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Large national nonprofit operating accessible summer camps and respite programs across many states for individuals with disabilities. Overlaps in mission and audience but at far greater scale and geographic breadth than Camp Fish Tales.
• Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Summer Camps: National nonprofit operating accessible weeklong summer camps across the U.S. for children with neuromuscular diseases. Comparable in adaptive programming, volunteer-driven staffing model, and scholarship-based fee structure.
• Variety the Children's Charity: International children's charity funding accessible camps and adaptive recreation programs (e.g., Variety's Camp Challenge) for children with disabilities. Comparable in delivering barrier-free camp experiences and serving a similar end population.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camp-fish-tales

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Fish Tales