Camp High Hopes

What Camp High Hopes does

Camp High Hopes is a Sioux City, Iowa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2004 that operates an accessible recreational camp for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, special needs, and chronic illnesses across the tri-state region of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The organization delivers a portfolio of programs including Summer Sleep Away Camp, Summer Day Camp, Wednesday Social Community events, the VENTURE school-district partnership program (which moves students out of classrooms into real-world skill application), and S'more Connections weekend programming for neurodivergent young adults. Its core operating model relies on adaptive recreation equipment and intentionally low staff-to-camper ratios to deliver activities such as archery, canoeing, tree climbing, and axe throwing to participants of all ability levels. The camp sits on a 90-acre wooded site with an 8-acre lake and is currently expanding with a 14,800-square-foot Multi-Purpose Adaptive Recreation Center under construction and a Sunset Point Pavilion tribute project.

The organization's revenue model blends subsidized camper fees, donations, event sponsorships, and off-season facility rentals. Sleep-away camp fees are reduced 80% via donor support from a $5,350 nominal price to $1,066, with additional assistance available through the Camper Opportunity Fund and acceptance of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Respite Waivers. Fundraising is anchored by three signature events (Rib Fest, Whiskey and Wildflowers, Haunted Lodge Party) supported by 50+ community sponsors and a long-standing presenting sponsor (Seaboard Triumph Foods for Rib Fest), complemented by a Smile Scoops blog, social media channels, a Planned Giving legacy program, and a Facility Rental business unit that monetizes the campus outside the summer season. A lean 18-person staff operates the programs, with American Camp Association accreditation and an Autism Speaks affiliation serving as credibility markers in the disability recreation niche.

The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: families discover Camp High Hopes through school partnerships (VENTURE), word-of-mouth referrals from existing families, and direct website registration via camp management software. Volunteer pipeline is cultivated through the Smile Squad program and recruitment content on YouTube and social channels. As a nonprofit serving a specialized population, the organization's competitive positioning rests on geographic scarcity (one of the few fully accessible regional camp experiences of its kind), credentialed quality (ACA accreditation), and a price point made possible only by sustained philanthropic support.

Name

Camp High Hopes

Legal name

Camp High Hopes

Website

https://camphighhopes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Camp High Hopes is a Sioux City, Iowa nonprofit operating an accessible 90-acre recreational camp for individuals with disabilities across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, delivering sleep-away and day camps, school partnerships, and donor-subsidized programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Recreation 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

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

Keywords

• Adaptive recreation programs
• Accessible summer camps
• Disability camp services
• Respite care programs
• Therapeutic recreation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sioux City, Iowa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Camp Fees: Camp fees charged to families for camp sessions, with substantial subsidies making fees comparable to standard camps. Sleep-away camp fees reduced from $5,350 to $1,066 through donor support.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual and corporate donations supporting program development, facility enhancement, event sponsorship, and camper scholarships.
3. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for signature events including Rib Fest, Whiskey and Wildflowers, and Haunted Lodge Party.
4. Facility Rentals: Revenue from renting the accessible recreation facility (90 wooded acres with 8-acre lake) for corporate events, weddings, family gatherings, and youth camps outside of summer camp season.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Camp High Hopes operates an accessible residential and day camp facility on 90 wooded acres with an 8-acre lake near Sioux City, Iowa, providing adaptive recreational programs for individuals with disabilities, special needs, and chronic illnesses. Its programs include summer sleep-away camp, summer day camp, the Wednesday Social Community, the VENTURE school partnership program, and S'more Connections weekends for neurodivergent young adults. Camp fees are reduced by 80% through donor support, with additional financial assistance available through the Camper Opportunity Fund.

Product overview

Camp High Hopes operates as a unified suite of recreational and support programs for individuals with disabilities, special needs, and chronic illnesses. The core offerings include Summer Day Camp, Summer Sleep Away Camp, Wednesday Social Community, VENTURE (social skills program), and S'more Connections (young adult weekend program). The organization runs signature fundraising events including Rib Fest, Haunted Lodge Party, and Whiskey and Wildflowers. Financial support is provided through the Camper Opportunity Fund with 80% fee reduction. Capital projects include the Multi-Purpose Adaptive Recreation Center (14,800 sq ft) and Sunset Point Pavilion. Additional programs include Facility Rental, Planned Giving, and the College Partnership Program. All programs are designed to be fully accessible with adaptive equipment and low staff-to-camper ratios.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VENTURE: School partnership program that bridges learning a skill and living it, taking students out of the classroom into dynamic environments to apply social and independent living skills.
• S'more Connections

Products and services

• Summer Sleep Away Camp Overnight camp sessions held on the 90-acre accessible recreation facility with an 8-acre lake, providing fully accessible experiences for individuals with disabilities, special needs, and chronic illnesses using adaptive equipment and intentionally low staff-to-camper ratios.
• Summer Day Camp Inclusive day camp serving neurodivergent campers ages 5 through adulthood and neurotypical children ages 5-12, offering outdoor activities in an accessible peer-to-peer environment.
• Wednesday Social Community Community social events held on Wednesdays providing accessible recreational activities for individuals of all abilities, supporting ongoing peer engagement outside of summer camp sessions.
• VENTURE School partnership program that bridges classroom learning and real-world application by taking students out of the classroom into dynamic environments to apply social and independent living skills, delivered in partnership with school districts in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
• S'more Connections Weekend experience designed for neurodivergent young adults offering gaming, outdoor adventure, and relationship-building activities in a supportive environment to build social and independent living skills.
• Facility Rental Off-season rental of the 90-acre accessible recreation facility with 8-acre lake for training days, youth camps, school outings, company picnics, family gatherings, and weddings, generating supplemental revenue for camp operations.
• Rib Fest Annual KCBS-sanctioned BBQ competition event featuring cook teams, live music, and family activities to raise funds for camp programs, with Seaboard Triumph Foods as the presenting sponsor and over 50 community sponsors supporting the event.
• The Haunted Lodge Party - Fade To Black Premier fall social fundraising event held at the Sioux City Convention Center featuring a themed haunted lodge experience with red carpet, designed to raise funds for camp operations.
• Whiskey and Wildflowers Signature fundraising event supporting Camp High Hopes and its mission to serve individuals with disabilities.
• Ability Makers Fundraising event supporting Camp High Hopes and its mission to serve individuals with disabilities, listed among the organization's signature events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% reduction in camp fees through donor support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Seaboard Triumph FoodscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 June 2026Presenting sponsor for Rib Fest 2026 (16th Annual). Seaboard Triumph Foods has been a consistent presenting sponsor, providing essential funding for this signature fundraising event that supports camp operations and camper scholarships.
• 50+ Community SponsorscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2025Over 50 community sponsors support Rib Fest annually, providing financial contributions and in-kind support that enables Camp High Hopes to continue its mission and impact more lives across the tri-state area.
• Partnering School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool districts partner with Camp High Hopes for the VENTURE program, which takes students out of the classroom and into dynamic environments where they apply social and independent living skills in real-time. Currently seeking new school district partners.
• Autism SpeaksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutism Speaks logo displayed on website indicating partnership or alignment with autism advocacy organization supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Camp Kodiak: Canadian residential summer camp specifically serving children, teens, and young adults with ADHD, ASD, and learning disabilities. Closely aligned on neurodivergent camper focus, inclusive peer model, and adaptive activity programming.
• Camp Twin Lakes: Nonprofit camp in Georgia serving children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges. Closest direct peer: similar adaptive recreation mission, ACA-accredited, multi-program structure, and donor-subsidized fee model.
• Roundup River Ranch: Colorado-based nonprofit adaptive camp for children with serious medical conditions and disabilities. Comparable in subsidized fee structure, signature fundraising events, capital expansion, and member of SeriousFun Children's Network.
• Double H Ranch: New York adaptive camp serving children with serious illnesses, part of SeriousFun Children's Network. Directly comparable mission, donor-subsidized camper fees, low staff-to-camper ratios, and ACA-style accredited programming.

Others

• The Center for Discovery: New York-based nonprofit providing services for individuals with disabilities and complex needs. Operates therapeutic and recreational programming adjacent to Camp High Hopes' adaptive mission; not a direct camp peer but shares population and donor-base overlap.

Regional players

• Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute: Midwest-based rehabilitation organization operating Camp Courage in Minnesota, delivering adaptive recreation for individuals with disabilities. Regional overlap in the upper Midwest with comparable mission and camper populations.

Broad incumbents

• Special Olympics: Global nonprofit providing year-round sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Much broader in scope, but serves overlapping populations and operates similar adaptive-recreation programming in non-competitive formats.
• Easterseals: Large national nonprofit providing disability services including residential camps, respite, and therapeutic recreation. Wider portfolio than Camp High Hopes but operates comparable inclusive camp programs and is a recognized incumbent in the adaptive recreation space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CampHighHopes
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CAMPHIGHHOPES
• Facebookfacebook.com/CampHighHopes
• Instagraminstagram.com/camphighhopessc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camp-high-hopes

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 High Hopes