What Camp Fircom Society does

Camp Fircom Society is a registered Canadian charitable non-profit organization (Charity Registration Number: 118827153RR0001) operating a 120-acre waterfront retreat center on the south-east corner of Gambier Island in Howe Sound, British Columbia. Founded in 1935 when the heritage Jubilee Hall was erected, the organization is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation) and is accessible only by a 20-minute water taxi from Horseshoe Bay or Lions Bay. The site features self-sufficient off-grid infrastructure including self-generated electricity, independent water supply, and private septic, with accommodations housing up to 200 guests in summer, 150 in shoulder season, and 50 in winter. The organization employs approximately 19 staff led by Executive Director Terra McKenzie and Board Chair Edna Aguinaga-Gallegos.

Camp Fircom's program portfolio spans overnight summer camps for children and youth (Scamper, Junior Kids, Senior Kids, Teen, and Polaris Adventure camps for grades 1-9), family camps (Easter, Queer Family, and Summer Family), caregiver-child camps (Mom & Kids, Dad & Kids), and a portfolio of adult retreats including From the Silence (meditation), From the Deep (women's self-inquiry), Circle of Love (single mothers and children), and Alumni Moms Camp. Since 2015, the organization has co-developed the Walking with the Squamish professional development retreats with the Squamish Nation, David Suzuki Foundation, Sea to Sky Outdoor School, and Ayas Menmen, offering K-12 and post-secondary educators Indigenous education programming eligible for pro-d funding.

The business model combines program fee revenue (one-time per-participant charges ranging from $180 for pre-K children to $545 for adult retreats), year-round facility rentals for weddings, corporate retreats, and group bookings, tuck shop and merchandise sales, and charitable donations processed through Givecloud. Pricing follows a unit pricing model with GST added, accommodation tier upgrades (Cabin, Bell Tent, Craigcroft, Cottage, Farmhouse), and a separate fee schedule for special dietary accommodations. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the fircom.ca website and Amilia registration platform, supported by email newsletter (FIRCOM FOOTSTEPS), Instagram, and strong word-of-mouth from an established multi-generational alumni community. Most 2026 summer sessions are operating at full capacity, indicating demand exceeds current physical capacity constraints.

Name

Camp Fircom Society

Legal name

Camp Fircom Society

Website

https://fircom.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Camp Fircom Society is a Canadian charitable non-profit operating a 120-acre waterfront retreat center on Gambier Island, BC, delivering summer camps, family retreats, adult wellness programs, and Indigenous-led professional development to individuals, families, educators, and group renters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Recreation and Camp Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Eco-Camps & Sustainable Camping Retreats (THAGAOAE), Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Traditional Campgrounds (Tent & Mixed-Use) (THAMAJAB)

Keywords

• Outdoor summer camps
• Family retreat programs
• Experiential outdoor education
• Wellness meditation retreats
• Event facility rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Gambier Island

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Summer Camps: Residential summer camp programs for kids, youth, and families ranging from multi-day to week-long experiences including Kids Camp, Teen Camp, Polaris Adventure Camp, Scamper Camp, and Family Camps. Fees vary by program type and accommodation.
2. Retreat Programs: Specialized retreat programming including meditation retreats (From the Silence), wellness retreats (From the Deep, From the Heart), Circle of Love for single moms, Alumni Moms camps, and professional development retreats for educators.
3. Family Camp Programs: Family camp sessions including Easter Family Camp, Queer Family Camp, Summer Family Camp, and Dad & Kids Camp. Pricing includes base fees for adults and children with accommodation options.
4. Facility Rentals: Year-round venue rentals for group bookings, weddings, and getaways. The property offers various accommodation types including cottages, cabins, bell tents, and dormitory-style lodging.
5. Food Service: Catering services included with programs, offering vegetarian options at no extra cost and special dietary accommodations (vegan, gluten-free, celiac) for additional fees.
6. Merchandise: Camp merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, sweatpants, hats sold through the online Camp Fircom Merch Store.
7. Tuck Shop: On-site tuck shop offering snacks, drinks, and non-food items (tattoos, stickers, keychains, notebooks, mugs, tote bags) for purchase by campers during summer programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Camp Fircom Society operates a 120-acre waterfront retreat center on Gambier Island in British Columbia, delivering residential summer camps for children and youth, family camps, caregiver-and-child camps, adult wellness and meditation retreats, Squamish Nation-led outdoor education (Sea to Sky Outdoor School), and year-round facility rentals including weddings and corporate retreats. Programs combine outdoor activities (archery, paddling, hiking, arts and crafts) with supervised lodging and full food service in an off-grid, water-taxi-only setting. The organization generates revenue through program fees, facility rentals, merchandise, and donations.

Product overview

Camp Fircom Society operates a 120-acre waterfront retreat center on Gambier Island, British Columbia, offering a portfolio of seasonal programs and year-round facility rentals. The core offerings include summer camps for kids, youth, and families (Scamper, Junior Kids, Senior Kids, Teen, and Polaris Adventure camps), family camps (Easter, Queer Family, and Summer Family), caregiver-child camps (Mom & Kids, Dad & Kids), the Sea to Sky Outdoor School for Indigenous-led education, and specialized retreats (From the Deep, From the Silence, Circle of Love, Alumni Moms). Supporting infrastructure includes accommodations (Cottage, Farm House, Craigcroft, Cabins, Bell Tents), food service, event facilities (Jubilee Hall, Dining Hall, Pavilion), and activities (waterfront, archery, hiking). The property also serves as a venue for weddings, corporate retreats, and group rentals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sea to Sky Outdoor School: An immersive outdoor education and experiential learning program offered at Camp Fircom.
• Walking with the Squamish

Products and services

• Summer Camps Overnight summer camp programs for kids and youth on a 120-acre waterfront property, offering archery, paddling, hiking, arts & crafts, and outdoor skills. Programs are age-tiered (Scamper, Junior Kids, Senior Kids, Teen) and include the Polaris Adventure Camp for leadership development.
• Family Camps Multi-day family retreat programs designed for two-parent, single-parent, 2SLGBTQI+, and blended families with activities for parents, caregivers, and children from preschool through teens. Includes Easter, Queer Family, and Summer Family Camps.
• Mom & Kids / Dad & Kids Camps Caregiver-and-child retreat programs designed to strengthen parent-child bonds through shared camp experiences. Includes Mom, Kids and Teens Camps and Dad & Kids Camps on the Gambier Island waterfront property.
• Sea to Sky Outdoor School Immersive outdoor education and experiential learning programs developed in partnership with the Squamish Nation and David Suzuki Foundation, focused on Indigenous education, culture, and environmental stewardship on Ch'elkwnech (Gambier Island).
• Specialty Retreats (From the Deep, From the Silence, Circle of Love) Specialized adult wellness and family retreats including From the Deep (women's self-inquiry using the Dalian Method), From the Silence (adult meditation retreat), Circle of Love (Single Mom & Kids Retreat), and Alumni Moms Camp.
• Walking with the Squamish Professional Development Retreat Professional development retreats for K-12 and post-secondary educators focused on Indigenous education, Squamish Nation history, language, ethnobotany, culture, stories, and stewardship. Eligible for pro-d (professional development) funds; led by Squamish Nation elders and facilitators.
• Accommodations On-site lodging options for camp, retreat, and rental guests, including The Cottage (luxury cabin, sleeps 12), The Farm House (sleeps 5), Craigcroft (dorm-style, sleeps 35), Cabins (six cabins, each sleeps 16), and Bell Tents (canvas tents, sleeps 9).
• Food Service Full catering service for all programs, offering healthy meals using local ingredients. Vegetarian options are included at no extra cost; vegan, gluten-free, and celiac meals are available for a small additional fee.
• Group Rentals / Get-A-Ways Year-round facility rentals for weddings, corporate retreats, and private group getaways, with seasonal capacity of 50-80 guests in winter, 150 in fall/early spring, and 180 in summer.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full camp registrations with extensive waitlists for many sessions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Longstanding partners since 2015, the Squamish Nation collaborates with Camp Fircom, David Suzuki Foundation, Sea to Sky Outdoor School, and Ayas Menmen to offer programs on conservation, indigenization, and justice. The partnership hosts Walking with the Squamish Professional Development Retreats for educators and community leaders, featuring interactive seminars in Squamish Nation history, language, ethnobotany, culture, stories, and stewardship. Camp Fircom is located on the unceded, traditional, and ancestral territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).
• David Suzuki FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Since 2015, the David Suzuki Foundation has partnered with Camp Fircom, Squamish Nation, and Sea to Sky Outdoor School to offer camps on conservation, indigenization, and justice on beautiful Chá7elkwnech (Gambier Island) in British Columbia's Átl'ka7tsem (Howe Sound). The Foundation co-develops and supports programs including Camp Suzuki at Chá7elkwnech, an adult program dedicated to building profound connection with Skwxù7mesh territory.
• Ayas MenmenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Indigenous knowledge partners collaborating with Camp Fircom since 2015 on conservation, indigenization, and justice programs including Camp Chá7elkwnech and related initiatives focused on reconciliation and relationship-building with Squamish Nation territory.
• Sea to Sky Outdoor SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSea to Sky Outdoor School partners with Camp Fircom as a host venue and program collaborator for outdoor education programs. The partnership offers immersive outdoor education and experiential learning programs including the Walking with the Squamish Professional Development Retreats.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stillwood Camp & Conference Centre: BC-based camp and retreat center offering summer camps, family programming, retreats, and year-round facility rentals in a similar model to Camp Fircom's combined camp and rental business.
• Camp Kandalore: Ontario residential summer camp with a long history and similar traditional outdoor programming (canoeing, swimming, archery, crafts) for kids, teens, and leadership development.
• Camp Oochigeas: Ontario-based charitable organization providing residential summer camps and community programs for children affected by cancer, comparable in non-profit operating model, retreat-style programming, and charitable funding structure.
• YMCA of Greater Vancouver: Operates day and overnight camps across the Lower Mainland serving children, youth, and families with similar traditional outdoor programming, including swimming, archery, and crafts — a directly comparable regional camp operator.
• Camp Arowhon: Long-established Ontario summer camp offering residential programs for children and youth with activities similar to Camp Fircom's Kids Camp, Teen Camp, and Polaris Adventure Camp programming.
• Outward Bound Canada: Provides outdoor education and experiential learning programs across Canada with residential and expedition components, similar to Camp Fircom's Sea to Sky Outdoor School and leadership development offerings.
• Camp Chief Hector YMCA: Large residential summer camp and outdoor education center in Alberta offering youth camps, family camps, retreats, and school programs — directly comparable scope of summer camp, family camp, and outdoor education programming.
• Hollyhock: Located on Cortes Island, BC, Hollyhock operates a retreat and lifelong learning center on a waterfront island property, offering adult retreats, wellness programs, and facility rentals — directly comparable to Camp Fircom's retreat and rental model on a remote BC island.

Emerging players

• Quest Outdoor School: BC-based outdoor education provider offering school programs and outdoor learning experiences, overlapping with Camp Fircom's Sea to Sky Outdoor School product in the K-12 outdoor education segment.

Regional players

• Pacific Spirit Park Society: BC outdoor education and nature-based programming organization serving similar Lower Mainland audiences, though based in urban Pacific Spirit Park rather than a remote waterfront site.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/p/DZaj3PJmvC7
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camp-fircom-society

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 Fircom Society