Catholic Youth Camp

What Catholic Youth Camp does

Catholic Youth Camp (CYC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit residential summer camp founded in 1947 by Father Jack Sweeney, operating on a peninsula on Big Sandy Lake in McGregor, Minnesota. It is Minnesota's only Catholic resident camp, accredited by the American Camping Association since 1955, and serves youth ages 7-17 through week-long overnight sessions that combine traditional camp activities (swimming, archery, paddle boarding, arts and crafts, drama, dance, sports, fishing, boating, ranger skills, hatchets, low ropes) with Catholic faith formation (daily prayer, rosary, scripture reflection, chapel services). The camp is governed by an independent Board of Directors (none of the Archdiocese) and led by Executive Director Erika Johnson, with a year-round staff of five (Executive Director and Office Admin) and a seasonal summer team that includes a Summer Camp Director, Assistant Summer Camp Director, and seven missionary counselors.

The core product is the overnight summer camp, supplemented by VIP Weekends (Vacation In Purpose) family camp experiences and a newer Vacation with a Purpose (WAP) offering that extends programming to multi-generational families and groups. The technology stack is minimal: no proprietary software, no mobile app, no APIs, and no AI capabilities. Customer registration, donor processing, and forms are handled through the third-party Camp In Touch platform; communication runs through email and traditional mail. A 100-year-old chapel, Sweeney Lodge (an $800,000 dining/kitchen facility completed in 1997), rustic cabins, and waterfront infrastructure on Big Sandy Lake constitute the physical asset base.

The revenue model blends subsidized tuition with donations and fundraising. True operating cost is approximately $1,150 per camper per week at 60 campers, but families pay within a tiered pricing structure they can afford. VIP Weekends charge per-person fees ($85 adult, $50 ages 12-17, $25 under 12), optional Roseville-to-camp bus transportation is $50 each way, and the camp store contributes incremental merchandise revenue. The largest financial lever is charitable giving: the 2026 Swing into Spring fundraiser at Top Golf targets $100,000 (up from $65,000 raised in 2025), supported by four corporate sponsorship tiers ($2,500-$10,000). Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via online registration, supplemented by outreach to Catholic parishes, schools, and community organizations across Minnesota and a strong word-of-mouth referral channel from past campers and alumni.

Name

Catholic Youth Camp

Legal name

Catholic Youth Camp

Website

https://cycamp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Catholic Youth Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1947 in McGregor, Minnesota, running week-long residential summer camps for youth ages 7-17 with Catholic faith-based programming. It is Minnesota's only Catholic resident camp, offering overnight camps, VIP family weekends, and traditional outdoor activities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Youth Summer Camp Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Residential summer camps
• Faith-based youth camps
• Catholic youth ministry
• Family camp retreats
• Camp registration services

Headquarters

HQ city

McGregor, MN

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Camper Tuition: CYC charges tuition for summer camp sessions, which is subsidized through fundraising to keep costs accessible. The true cost of operating a week with 60 campers would be approximately $1,150 per camper, but tiered pricing allows families to pay what they can. Summer camp registration is processed through the Camp In Touch platform.
2. Donations and Fundraising: As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CYC relies on charitable contributions to fund camper scholarships and cover operational costs. The annual fundraising goal for 2026 is $100,000. Donors can contribute to missionary support, camper scholarships, or general operational needs. The organization holds an annual Swing into Spring fundraiser.
3. VIP Weekend Fees: Family camp weekend experiences charge per-person fees: $85 per adult, $50 per child aged 12-17, and $25 per child 11 years and younger. These weekends include cabin lodging, meals, chapel services, lake activities, and service projects.
4. Transportation Services: Optional bussing is available from Roseville, MN to camp for $50 per way (dependent on 30 campers needing bussing). This supplementary service provides additional revenue for families choosing not to drive.
5. Camp Store: Camp store account deposits fund purchases of CYC merchandise including t-shirts (~$20), sweatshirts (~$30), water bottles (~$10), and snacks ($1-3). Parents typically deposit $5-50 per camper. Tie-dye shirts with Catholic Youth Camp branding are included as parting gifts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Catholic Youth Camp operates a traditional residential summer camp on Big Sandy Lake in McGregor, MN, offering week-long overnight camp sessions for youth ages 7-17 with Catholic faith-centered programming. The camp delivers structured daily activities (swimming, archery, arts and crafts, paddle boarding, boating, etc.) integrated with daily prayer, rosary, scripture reflection, and chapel services, alongside family camp weekend experiences and seasonal fundraising/scholarship support.

Product overview

Catholic Youth Camp operates as a traditional residential summer camp offering week-long overnight camp sessions for youth ages 7-17. The core offerings include Overnight Summer Camps with structured daily programming and cabin-based accommodation, plus VIP Weekend family camp experiences. Camp activities encompass swimming, archery, arts and crafts, drama, dance, sports, fishing, boating, paddle boarding, ranger/nature skills, praise and worship, and team-building courses. The organization also employs seasonal missionary counselors and offers volunteer/work weekend programs. All programming integrates Catholic faith elements including daily prayer, rosary, scripture reflection, and weekly Mass.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Overnight Summer Camps

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,530 peak participants (1996)
• +1 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

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Top Golf (Swing into Spring Event Venue)minorOthers · 1 January 2026Top Golf serves as the venue for CYC's annual Swing into Spring fundraiser. CYC rents Top Golf bays, food and beverage items, and private event space. The event features unlimited Top Golf play, indoor lawn and board games, and fellowship. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated due to Top Golf capacity policies.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Camp Steerforth: Smaller faith-inclusive residential summer camp with overnight programming comparable to CYC, though operating at smaller scale and serving a more limited geographic catchment.

Broad incumbents

• Camp Friendship: Established multi-state residential summer camp operator with multiple faith-inclusive locations, offering broader activity programming and scale that exceeds CYC's single-site footprint.

Direct peers

• Camp Ondessonk: Catholic residential summer camp in Nashville, Illinois serving youth with traditional camp programming and faith formation — direct peer to CYC in mission, faith identity, and residential overnight model.
• Camp DeWolfe: Episcopal church-affiliated residential summer camp on Long Island, NY offering week-long youth sessions combining traditional activities with faith formation — comparable faith-based overnight camp model.
• Camp Newaygo: Residential girls' summer camp in Newaygo, Michigan offering traditional overnight programming and outdoor activities — comparable traditional overnight camp serving Midwest families.
• Camp Tekakwitha: Catholic overnight camp in Corcoran, Minnesota offering week-long summer sessions with faith formation, water activities, and traditional camp programming — same geography and same Catholic overnight niche as CYC.

Regional players

• Camp Cedar (Minnesota): Long-running residential summer camp in Minnesota operating multiple programs with broader non-faith-based offerings — serves overlapping Minnesota market as a regional camp alternative.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/517496284985438
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catholic-youth-camp

Compliance1 record

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 Catholic Youth Camp