Spring Canyon

What Spring Canyon does

Spring Canyon Conference Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Christian retreat and conference center established in 1962 and owned by Officers' Christian Fellowship (OCF). It operates from a single site at 9,026 feet elevation in the Collegiate Peaks near Buena Vista, Colorado, under a special use permit with the Pike and San Isabel National Forest. The ministry exists to refresh, equip, and inspire military members, families, and Christian groups through biblical teaching, outdoor adventure, and fellowship, with more than six decades of continuous operation and affiliation with an OCF parent organization that has served the military community for over 75 years.

The center delivers a portfolio of seven signature programs (Summer Celebration, Rocky Mountain High, Father Teen Adventure, Climb Together, Winter Retreat, Chaplains' Family Retreat, and Aspentime), layered with year-round and seasonal staffing pipelines including the 11.5-month PEAK Internship ($8,000 standard tuition, $4,000 for college graduates 21+), Senior Staff, Apprentice, and Cornerstone volunteer programs. Supporting infrastructure includes conference and meeting facilities, lodging, family-style food services with dietary accommodations, and outdoor amenities such as a high ropes course, climbing and rappelling, backpacking, and hiking in the Collegiate Peaks.

Revenue mechanics combine small-ticket program deposits ($165 per individual registration, 25% for group retreats), modest surcharges ($25-$50 for special dietary needs), paid PEAK Internship tuition, custom group retreat bookings (UltraCamp platform), and donations processed through Blackbaud. Go-to-market relies on OCF organizational channels, military chapel and chaplain networks, ROTC and service academy referrals, plus organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) and website-driven bookings, with no third-party resellers or investor backing.

Name

Spring Canyon

Legal name

Spring Canyon Conference Center

Website

https://springcanyon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Spring Canyon is a non-profit Christian retreat and conference center in Buena Vista, Colorado, owned by Officers' Christian Fellowship. It runs signature programs, group retreats, and the PEAK Internship serving military families, chaplains, cadets, and Christian groups since 1962.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Retreat and Conference Center Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Conference Retreat Hotels (THAGALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), College & Career Exploration Camps (Pre-College Samplers, Pathways) (EDAMALAN)

Keywords

• Christian retreat center
• Military family ministry
• Conference center services
• Biblical teaching programs
• Outdoor adventure retreats

Headquarters

HQ city

Buena Vista

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. Program Fees and Deposits: Revenue from signature programs (Summer Celebration, Rocky Mountain High, Climb Together, Winter Retreat, etc.) with deposits of $165 for individual registrations and 25% for group retreats. Programs serve military families, couples, singles, and Christian groups throughout the year.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a non-profit 501c3 organization owned by Officers' Christian Fellowship, Spring Canyon relies on donor support. Donations fund capital improvements, scholarships, and general operations. Federal Tax ID: 38-1415401. Accepts corporate matching gifts.
3. PEAK Internship Program: Year-long internship program charging $8,000 for standard applicants or $4,000 for college graduates 21+. Interns receive monthly stipend of $130/month and work in various operational areas while receiving mentorship and academic instruction.
4. Group Retreat Bookings: Custom vacation and group retreat options available throughout the year, with 25% deposit upon contracting. Church groups and private organizations book the facility for their own retreats.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Spring Canyon Conference Center is a single-site Christian retreat and conference center operated at 9,026 feet elevation in Buena Vista, Colorado. It delivers week-long and seasonal signature programs (Summer Celebration, Rocky Mountain High, Father Teen Adventure, Climb Together, Winter Retreat, Chaplains' Family Retreat, Aspentime), custom group retreats, outdoor adventure activities, lodging, and family-style food services. The center also runs an 11.5-month residential PEAK Internship for 18-24 year olds and summer staff volunteer programs (Senior Staff, Apprentice, Cornerstone) to support its ministry operations.

Product overview

Spring Canyon Conference Center is a single-site retreat and conference center ministry operated by Officers' Christian Fellowship (OCF) since 1962. Located at 9,026 feet elevation in Buena Vista, Colorado, the organization offers a portfolio of signature programs including Summer Celebration, Rocky Mountain High, Father Teen Adventure, Climb Together, Winter Retreat, Chaplains' Family Retreat, and Aspentime Retreat. These programs serve military families, couples, singles, and Christian groups through biblical teaching, outdoor adventure, and fellowship. The center also operates staffing programs including the year-round PEAK Internship (11.5 months) and summer staff opportunities (Senior Staff, Apprentice, and Cornerstone volunteer positions). Supporting services include conference facilities, lodging, and food services. Custom group retreat bookings are available year-round.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Summer Celebration: Signature week-long summer program with speakers, worship, and activities for military families
• Rocky Mountain High
• Father Teen Adventure
• Climb Together
• Winter Retreat
• Chaplains' Family Retreat
• Aspentime Retreat
• PEAK Internship
• Cornerstone
• Apprentice
• Senior Staff

Products and services

• Summer Celebration Week-long signature summer retreat program offering biblical teaching, outdoor activities, children's programs, and fellowship for military families and Christian groups during the summer season at 9,026 feet elevation in the Colorado Rockies.
• Rocky Mountain High Leadership development program for military cadets, midshipmen, and officers that integrates Christian faith with military leadership through mentorship, discussion-based learning using biblical texts, and outdoor experiences; serves attendees from U.S. service academies (West Point, USAFA, USNA) and ROTC programs as well as international cadets via the ACCTS partnership.
• Father Teen Adventure Week-long program designed for fathers and their teenage children to connect or reconnect through outdoor adventure activities and shared experiences in the Colorado Rockies, particularly relevant for military families facing deployment-related separations.
• Climb Together Three-day wilderness adventure program for parents or grandparents with their 8-13 year old children featuring mountain adventure activities designed for family bonding.
• Winter Retreat Seasonal signature retreat program offering winter-themed biblical teaching and outdoor winter activities at the 9,026-foot elevation site in the Colorado Rockies.
• Chaplains' Family Retreat Specialized retreat program designed specifically for active-duty military chaplains and their families to connect, refresh, and find community with others in military ministry roles.
• Aspentime Retreat Fall-season signature retreat program focused on themes of faith, trials, and God's sustaining grace, featuring guest speakers and spiritual teaching sessions.
• PEAK Internship Program 11.5-month residential internship for 18-24 year olds combining work in conference center operations with academic study in theology, philosophy, leadership, and classic literature, featuring mentorship and professional development; tuition $8,000 (standard) or $4,000 (college graduates 21+), with $130/month stipend.
• Group Retreat Services Custom vacation and group retreat options available year-round for church groups, Christian organizations, and private bookings, including facilities, property access, outdoor activities, and food services with 25% deposit due upon contracting.
• Conference Center Facilities Conference and meeting facilities including lodging accommodations, meeting spaces, and property amenities at 9,026 feet elevation in Buena Vista, Colorado, operated under special use permit with the Pike and San Isabel National Forest.
• Food Services Family-style dining with all meals served to encourage fellowship, including breakfast/lunch bars, salad bars, special dietary accommodations for allergies (low-carb, high-protein protocols available at $25/weekend or $50/week), and self-serve PB&J stations.
• Outdoor Activities Outdoor adventure offerings including high ropes course, challenge course, climbing and rappelling site, backpacking, hiking, and other wilderness activities in the Collegiate Peaks area.
• Senior Staff Program Summer employment opportunity for young adults aged 18+ serving as outdoor guides, guest services, food service, maintenance, housekeeping, and children's program leaders from mid-May to early August with significant operational responsibilities.
• Cornerstone Volunteer Program 2-3 week volunteer program for 15-19 year olds serving in housekeeping, meal service, kitchen support, and outdoor projects as the backbone of summer staff operations.
• Apprentice Program 4-5 week volunteer program for 17-19 year old previous Cornerstone volunteers serving in specialized roles including outdoor programs, kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping, and teaching assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Refreshing, equipping, and inspiring military members, families, and Christian groups in the name of Jesus Christ

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Association for Christian Conferences Teaching and Service (ACCTS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACCTS partners with Spring Canyon to sponsor international cadets and officers to participate in the Rocky Mountain High program. This partnership enables global reach of the military Christian fellowship ministry by bringing together Christian military leaders from multiple countries.
• Officers' Christian Fellowship (OCF)coreOthersOCF is the parent organization that owns and operates Spring Canyon. OCF seeks to help Christians in the military society and their families grow together in their relationship with God and others, and to unite them in biblical fellowship and outreach. OCF has been blessed for over 75 years to strengthen faith, equip families, and serve those who serve.
• United States Forest ServicecoreOthersSpring Canyon operates under special use permit with the Pike and San Isabel National Forest, allowing the ministry to utilize federal lands for its retreat and conference center operations in Colorado.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WinShape Foundation: Faith-based foundation operating camps, retreats, and family programming with a Christian mission. Compares on multi-program retreat model serving families and youth with religious emphasis.
• Kanakuk Kamps: Network of Christian summer camps serving youth and families with adventure activities and biblical teaching. Comparable multi-location camp structure and faith-based programming model.
• Officers' Christian Fellowship Eastern Retreat Center (Cove Retreat Center): OCF's Eastern retreat center, operating with the same parent organization and mission. Directly comparable faith-based military family retreat and conference center with similar programming model.
• Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center: Northern California Christian retreat and conference center offering family camps, youth programs, and church group retreats in a forest setting. Comparable mission, lodging-plus-programs model, and nonprofit operations.
• Sandy Cove Ministries: Mid-Atlantic Christian conference center offering family retreats, youth camps, and church group events. Similar combination of lodging, outdoor programming, and faith-based family ministry.
• Pine Cove: Faith-based Christian camp and conference center network in Texas with multiple signature programs serving families, youth, and church groups. Comparable scale, multi-program structure, and mission-driven retreat model.
• Trout Creek Conference Center: Christian retreat center serving families and church groups in the Pacific Northwest. Similar nonprofit ministry model with family programs, outdoor recreation, and conference facilities.

Broad incumbents

• Focus on the Family: Large Christian family ministry with guest services, retreats, and family programming. Compares on faith-based family ministry focus—management team includes a former Focus on the Family staff member.
• Young Life: Large national faith-based youth organization with extensive camp and retreat operations. Compares on faith-based youth programming and outdoor adventure focus, but at substantially greater scale and broader mission.

Others

• U.S. Air Force Academy Religious Programs: Military-affiliated faith programming and chapel retreats. Compares as a referral source and parallel faith-based military ministry ecosystem that feeds Spring Canyon's cadet/chaplain programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCE8AHrY_DIJw9j3FADeRfew
• Facebookfacebook.com/springcanyon
• Instagraminstagram.com/springcanyon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spring-canyon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Spring Canyon