Run for Fun Camps

What Run for Fun Camps does

Run for Fun Camps is a privately held youth outdoor recreation and camp services provider operating in the San Francisco Bay Area and at Pinecrest Lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Founded in 2010 by Dave (a former Division 1 student-athlete at Boston University) and operated through the legal entity DMB Elite Inc., the company runs a portfolio of direct-to-consumer programs: Summer Day Camp and Adventure Day Camp at Santa Rita Elementary in Los Altos (bordering Palo Alto), Overnight Camp at Camp Sylvester on Pinecrest Lake, After School Programs at 20+ elementary schools across Palo Alto/Los Altos/Mountain View, Holiday Camps at Barron Park Elementary, Birthday Parties, a CIT/LIT Leadership Program for teens, and a Pinecrest Lake Family Camp over Labor Day Weekend. The company is American Camp Association accredited for both Summer Day and Overnight Camp, has approximately 15 employees, and serves families with children roughly ages 4–14.

The business operates on a per-session, direct-to-consumer model with no proprietary technology stack beyond the third-party Campbrain registration platform. Summer Day Camp pricing ranges from $530–$1,125 per week; Overnight Camp ranges from $1,025–$1,345 per session; After School Programs are priced at $325–$400 per school-year session; Birthday Parties range from $200–$410; and Holiday Camps run $55–$75 per day. Demand is generated almost entirely through word-of-mouth, parent testimonials, a $25 referral credit, and on-site visibility at partner schools, with no paid advertising or third-party resellers. A 3% credit card surcharge effective January 1, 2026 indicates growing payment-cost awareness. The company leverages external field-trip partnerships (YMCA Camp Jones Gulch, Seacliff State Beach, Huddart Park) to broaden its activity surface without owning those facilities, and a small leadership team (Founder Dave, After School Director Alex, Summer Camp Director Maddie) is responsible for year-round program execution.

Name

Run for Fun Camps

Legal name

DMB Elite Inc.

Website

https://runforfuncamps.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Run for Fun Camps is a Bay Area youth outdoor recreation company operating summer day camps, overnight camps at Pinecrest Lake, after-school programs at 20+ elementary schools, holiday camps, and birthday parties for families with children ages 4–14.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Outdoor Recreation and Camp Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Youth summer camps
• Overnight camp programs
• After school programs
• Outdoor youth recreation
• Birthday party services

Headquarters

HQ city

Palo Alto

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

Revenue model

1. Summer Day Camps: Run for Fun Day Camp and Adventure Day Camp offered at Santa Rita Elementary in Los Altos/Palo Alto, CA. Day camp is a fully on-campus experience; Adventure Day Camp includes off-campus field trips. Revenue is one-time per session, with pricing tiers based on registration timing (Early, Normal, Late). Sessions run June through early July with 1-3 week options.
2. Summer Overnight Camps: Overnight/sleepaway camp at Pinecrest Lake (Camp Sylvester, Pinecrest, CA) for kids ages 7-13. Six sessions offered June through August. Revenue is one-time per session with pricing tiers (Early Reg, Normal Reg) and transportation add-on options (one-way $100, round-trip $200). Cabins, meals, and activities included.
3. After School Programs: Weekly outdoor play programs at 20+ elementary schools in Palo Alto/Los Altos/Mountain View. Classes are 1-2 hours, once per week. Priced per session (Fall: $325-$400 per school year session). Free trial available for new participants. Pro-rated for mid-session joins.
4. Holiday Camps: Single-day or multi-day camps held at Barron Park Elementary during school holidays. Priced at $75 full day or $55 half day. Activity-focused days with sports, dodgeball, gaga ball, capture the flag, and crafts.
5. Birthday Parties: Year-round field games and outdoor play parties for ages 5+. Duration options of 1, 1.5, or 2 hours. Priced from $200-$410 depending on duration and number of coaches. Additional coach required for 25+ kids at extra cost.
6. Counselor in Training (CIT) Programs: Leadership development programs for teens entering grades 8-10. CIT/LIT programs at both Day Camp ($200/week) and Overnight Camp (same as camper pricing for Year 1; Year 2 discounted $300 off early reg).
7. Pinecrest Lake Family Camp: Family camp over Labor Day weekend at Pinecrest Lake. Per-person pricing by age tier ($300 for ages 3-7 and 18+; free for ages 0-2). Optional private cabin upgrade (+$600) and RV/tent platform options. Includes meals, activities, and cabin lodging.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Run for Fun Camps delivers structured outdoor youth recreation programs for children ages 4-14, including summer day camps and overnight sleepaway camps, recurring after-school programs, holiday camps, birthday parties, family camp, and teen leadership (CIT/LIT) programs. Programs are delivered at company-operated or licensed sites including Santa Rita Elementary, Camp Sylvester on Pinecrest Lake, and 20+ elementary schools across the Bay Area. Services are sold directly to families through the company's website and the Campbrain registration platform.

Product overview

Run for Fun Camps offers a portfolio of youth outdoor activity programs, primarily in the California Bay Area. The core offerings include Summer Day Camps (Adventure Day Camp with field trips and on-campus Day Camp at Santa Rita Elementary in Los Altos) and Overnight Camps at Pinecrest Lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Supporting programs include After School Programs across 20+ schools in Palo Alto/Los Altos/Mountain View, Holiday Camps at Barron Park Elementary, Birthday Parties, and a CIT/LIT Leadership Program. Specialty add-ons include the Pick Your Path Program at overnight camp, Extended/Morning Care for day camps, and Transportation Services for overnight camp. Family Camp at Pinecrest Lake extends the offering to families. The company is ACA accredited and founded in 2010.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Day Camp Fully outdoor day camp held at Santa Rita Elementary School in Los Altos bordering Palo Alto, featuring sports, games, crafts, and themed activities for grades TK-5th (on-campus Day Camp) and grades K-7th (Adventure Day Camp with field trips). Sessions run June through early July with 1-3 week options.
• Overnight Camp at Pinecrest Lake Traditional co-ed sleepaway camp for kids ages 7-13 at Camp Sylvester on Pinecrest Lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains, offering sports, kayaking, horseback riding, archery, and other outdoor activities. ACA accredited with 6 sessions throughout summer.
• After School Programs Outdoor after school program focusing on play through field games such as capture the flag, chaos tag, and dodgeball, offered across 20+ elementary schools in Palo Alto/Los Altos/Mountain View areas. Classes are 1-2 hours, once per week, priced per school-year session with a free trial available for new participants.
• Holiday Camps Day camps held at Barron Park Elementary School during school holidays, featuring sports, dodgeball, Gaga Ball, Capture the Flag, and crafts for grades TK-7th. Priced at $75 full day or $55 half day.
• Birthday Parties Field-games and outdoor fun birthday party services available year-round in Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, and Mountain View, featuring dodgeball, capture the flag, and Gaga Ball. Duration options of 1, 1.5, or 2 hours, priced from $200-$410.
• Counselor in Training (CIT) / Leader in Training (LIT) Program Leadership development program for teens entering grades 8th-10th in Fall, teaching teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and public speaking through camp mentorship at both day and overnight camp. Day Camp CIT/LIT priced at $200/week with scholarships available.
• Pinecrest Lake Family Camp Family camp experience held at Pinecrest Lake over Labor Day Weekend (Sept 4-7), offering outdoor activities, kids camp, campfires, kayaking, SUP, and family bonding in Sierra Nevada mountains. Per-person pricing by age tier ($300 for ages 3-7 and 18+; free for ages 0-2).

Quantifiable outcome

• After school program operates at 20+ elementary schools in the Palo Alto/Los Altos/Mountain View area
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 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.

• YMCA Camp Jones GulchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdventure Day Camp includes field trips to YMCA Camp Jones Gulch in La Honda, CA, for activities including archery, swimming, fort building, gaga ball, and an optional one-night campout. This partnership provides access to a redwood forest setting and specialized facilities (archery range, swimming pool) not available at the school campus. Run for Fun provides its own counselors and staff during these visits.
• Seacliff State BeachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdventure Day Camp includes field trips to Seacliff State Beach, offering beach-based activities including dodgeball, beach volleyball, tug-o-war, sandcastle building, and sand art. Run for Fun brings its own staff; the beach serves as the activity venue.
• Huddart ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdventure Day Camp includes field trips to Huddart Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, providing nature-based activities including forts and fairy houses, kick the cone, team asteroids, and nature games.
• American Camp Association (ACA)coreOthersRun for Fun Camps holds American Camp Association accreditation for both its Summer Day Camps and Overnight Camp at Pinecrest Lake. ACA accreditation involves rigorous standards review for safety, program quality, and developmental appropriateness. This accreditation serves as a quality assurance signal to parents.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Direct peers

• Edventure More: Bay Area summer camp operator offering multi-activity day camps for K-8th grade with field trips and specialty themes. Directly competes with Run for Fun's Adventure Day Camp and serves a similar San Francisco Bay Area parent base.
• Peninsula Family YMCA: Provides after-school care and summer day camps throughout the Peninsula and South Bay. Directly comparable to Run for Fun's Palo Alto/Los Altos after-school and day camp offerings, with overlapping school-district partnerships.
• iD Tech: Bay Area-based summer camp operator running multi-activity STEM, gaming, and adventure programs for K-12 students across the U.S. Overlaps with Run for Fun's Day Camp and Overnight Camp in the same South Bay parent demographic and seasonal summer camp window.
• YMCA of Silicon Valley: Operates summer day camps, overnight camps, and after-school programs across the Bay Area. Directly comparable to Run for Fun's After School Programs (20+ schools) and Day Camp, with broadly similar pricing tiers and youth-development positioning.
• Avid4 Adventure: Outdoor-focused youth summer camp operator in California (Bay Area, Tahoe, and other regions) emphasizing sports, kayaking, biking, and hiking. Comparable to Run for Fun's Overnight Camp at Pinecrest Lake given overlapping outdoor-sport programming and California footprint.
• Camp EDMO: Bay Area K-8 summer day camp operator offering multi-activity programs with arts, science, and outdoor themes. Directly comparable to Run for Fun's Day Camp and Adventure Day Camp in the Bay Area market.
• Steve & Kate's Camp: Bay Area-based day camp operator offering flexible drop-any-day summer programming for kids ages 4-13. Direct competitor to Run for Fun's Day Camp in the same South Bay and broader Bay Area geography, with overlapping pricing tiers and similar all-inclusive positioning.
• Galileo Learning (Camp Galileo): Bay Area multi-activity summer camp operator serving K-8th grade with sports, arts, and outdoor programming. Closest direct competitor to Run for Fun's Day Camp and Summer Day Camp, with shared South Bay footprint and similar parent demographic.

Emerging players

• School of Rock Palo Alto: Bay Area youth enrichment provider offering after-school and summer programs. Partial overlap with Run for Fun's After School Programs in the Palo Alto market, with a more specialized music offering rather than multi-sport programming.

Regional players

• Destination Science: STEM-focused summer day camp operator with presence across California including the Bay Area. Comparable to Run for Fun's Day Camp at the same age range and same parent demographic, though positioned around science rather than multi-sport.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/run-for-fun-camps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Run for Fun Camps