Stichting De Ster

What Stichting De Ster does

Stichting De Ster is a Dutch non-profit foundation (stichting) founded in 2005 and headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands. It develops and operates confidence-building programs for children and young people aged 7 to 23, addressing social anxiety, bullying, low self-confidence, fear of failure, and emotional regulation challenges. The organization is best known for its portfolio of residential camps: Startkamp (ages 7-8, 3 nights), Sterkamp (ages 9-12, 5 nights), SterkID (group 8 transition students, 5 nights), Stay Strong (ages 12-16, 5 nights), and QuestTrek (ages 17-23). All programs are built on a proprietary methodology developed in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam that synthesizes cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional freedom techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy, positive psychology, and growth mindset into structured camp activities.

The organization's portfolio has expanded beyond camps to include the 'This is Me' online self-confidence course (delivered as a web app for youth 12+) and the Stertraining school-based curriculum piloted in 30 Dutch classrooms in 2022. It also sells branded merchandise and operates a free parent-facing online self-test to drive top-of-funnel demand. The technology stack is minimal and not a strategic differentiator; the core asset is the psychologically validated curriculum and the human delivery model (49 employees plus large volunteer teams of 16-18 camp leaders per session).

Stichting De Ster operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer and fundraising model. Revenue is generated from one-time camp participation fees (€525-€895 per child), donations and grants from Dutch charitable foundations (Dioraphte, KFHein Fonds, Nationaal Fonds Kinderhulp, Burgerweeshuis Haarlem, IMC, and others), branded merchandise sales (hoodies at €49), and third-party payments via Dutch health insurance reimbursements and PGB (personal budget) channels. An intensive intake process gates participation, and financial support is offered to reduce access barriers. Operating status is active, with no external ownership, PE/VC involvement, or publicly disclosed financials.

Name

Stichting De Ster

Legal name

Stichting De Ster

Website

https://stichtingdester.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stichting De Ster is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating evidence-based residential camps, school curricula, and an online course that build self-confidence and social resilience in children and youth aged 7-23.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth social-emotional development programs

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying) (EDAJAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Support Hotlines & Digital Wellbeing Tools (EDAJAIAL), Family & Community Support Services (Case Management, Referrals) (EDAJAIAK)

Keywords

• Residential youth camps
• Social-emotional learning
• Confidence building programs
• School mental health training
• Youth development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Camp participation fees: Primary revenue stream from one-time camp fees paid by parents for their children's participation in residential camps. Fees vary by program (Startkamp, Sterkamp, SterkID, Stay Strong). Payment can be made in installments. Fund subsidies are available for families who cannot afford the full amount.
2. Donations and fund subsidies: The organization receives financial support from multiple charitable foundations (fondsen) that subsidize participation costs for lower-income families. Individual donors can also make one-time or recurring donations. This enables the organization to offer full or partial fee waivers.
3. Merchandise sales: Webstore sales of branded merchandise (hoodies with camp slogans) priced at €49 each, with proceeds supporting the foundation's mission.
4. Healthcare insurance reimbursements: Some health insurance providers reimburse part of camp costs as therapeutic holiday camps. The organization provides documentation to support reimbursement claims.
5. PGB (Personal Budget) funding: Families with a Personal Budget (PGB) can use these funds to cover camp participation costs under certain conditions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Stichting De Ster designs, organizes, and delivers residential confidence and resilience camps plus school and online training programs for children and youth aged 7-23 in the Netherlands. Programs use a scientifically-validated methodology co-developed with the University of Amsterdam, combining therapeutic techniques with fun activities (theater, games, role-play, filmmaking) to help young people overcome social anxiety, bullying, fear of failure, and friendship challenges. The foundation also runs a classroom-based curriculum for secondary schools and a web-based self-confidence course for home use.

Product overview

Stichting De Ster operates a portfolio of confidence-building programs for children and youth aged 7-23, centered on residential camps and supplemented by an online course. The core offerings consist of four overnight camps: Startkamp (ages 7-8, 3 nights), Sterkamp (ages 9-12, 5 nights), SterkID (group 8 students, 5 nights), and Stay Strong (ages 12-16, 5 nights). These camps use a science-based methodology combining cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional freedom techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy, positive psychology, and growth mindset principles, delivered through structured activities including club sessions, sports/games, and theater/role-play. The portfolio also includes the This Is Me web-based course for remote learning and De Ster op School for classroom delivery. A web shop sells branded merchandise to support operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Startkamp: Camp for children aged 7-8 years, 3 nights from Thursday to Sunday, with an included parent day
• Sterkamp
• SterkID
• Stay Strong
• QuestTrek
• This is Me
• Stertraining

Products and services

• Startkamp A 3-night residential camp (Thursday to Sunday) for children aged 7-8, including an Ouderdag (Parent Day) on the final day. Uses storytelling, play, and theater activities to teach children to say no, make friends, manage emotions, and build confidence, with mentors at a ratio of 1 per 2 children. Priced at €525 per child.
• Sterkamp A 5-night residential camp (Sunday to Friday) for children aged 9-12 combining games, theater, and club activities to build resilience, address bullying, develop friendship skills, and increase self-confidence. Priced at €695–€745 per child with fund subsidies available.
• SterkID A 5-night summer camp specifically designed for group 8 students transitioning to secondary school (brugklas). Prepares children for the transition through role-play scenarios, group discussions, sports activities, and mentorship focused on confidence, friendship, and body language. Priced at €745 per child.
• Stay Strong A 5-night residential camp (Sunday to Friday) for teenagers aged 12-16 that combines filmmaking workshops with social-emotional skills training, including 23 hours of personal coaching at a mentor-to-child ratio of 1 per 2-3. Youth create their own films while working on confidence, boundary-setting, friendship skills, and emotional regulation. Priced at €745 per child.
• QuestTrek A multi-night residential camp for young adults aged 17-23 designed to build confidence and resilience in older youth transitioning into adulthood. Priced at €895 per participant.
• This Is Me (Online Self-Confidence Course) A web-based course delivered via app for youth aged 12+ to build self-confidence at home over two weeks. Features video content from Rosan, an orthopedagogue, with exercises focused on courage, self-encouragement, and positive thinking.
• Stertraining (De Ster op School) A 3-lesson school-based program (1 theory and 2 practical sessions) developed with the University of Amsterdam, teaching secondary school students about emotions, thoughts, mindset, and self-image. Covers boundary-setting, handling bullying, and positive self-talk. Pilot in 30 classrooms received an average rating of 8.
• Fouten Maken Mag Hoodie (Webshop Merchandise) A merchandise hoodie carrying the message 'Fouten Maken Mag' (Making Mistakes Is Allowed), sold in sizes 122/128 through XL at €49 each via the foundation's online webstore, with proceeds supporting the foundation's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children show reduced anxiety and social/internalizing problems after camp, with effects still visible one year later
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Karify: Dutch eHealth platform delivering online treatment programs and self-help modules in partnership with healthcare providers. Comparable in providing digital SEL-adjacent content and in targeting Dutch healthcare reimbursement and referral channels.
• OpenUp: Dutch digital mental-health platform offering online psychology and wellbeing support, increasingly used by employers and insurers. Comparable end-customer overlap (parents/young adults) and growing Dutch mental-health reimbursement pathways.

Direct peers

• SeriousFun Children's Network: Global network of residential camps serving children with serious illnesses and psychosocial challenges. Highly comparable operating model — residential camp-based programs combining therapeutic content with recreation, delivered by trained volunteers at high staff-to-participant ratios.
• Camp Kesem: US-based non-profit running free week-long summer camps for children affected by a parent's cancer. Comparable in combining trained volunteer leadership, overnight camp delivery, and a psychosocial-support mission tied to demonstrable youth outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• Stichting JINC: Dutch non-profit that delivers school- and community-based programs to give young people equal opportunities in education and the labour market. Comparable as a Dutch non-profit delivering structured youth-development curricula via schools and partnerships.
• Save the Children Netherlands: Dutch arm of global child welfare NGO. Comparable as a non-profit delivering child- and youth-focused wellbeing programs in the Netherlands, combining programmatic work with fundraising and institutional partnerships.
• Stichting Het Vergeten Kind: Dutch foundation focused on the wellbeing and resilience of children growing up in difficult circumstances. Comparable mission and Dutch non-profit operating model with residential and community-based program elements.
• De Kindertelefoon: Dutch children's helpline and support service for kids and teens with questions or worries. Comparable as a Dutch non-profit providing front-line social-emotional support to youth and using professional referral pathways.
• UNICEF Netherlands: Dutch national committee of UNICEF, focused on child rights and wellbeing. Comparable in mission, Dutch non-profit status, and donor-funded operating model targeting children's social-emotional outcomes.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Netherlands: Mentoring non-profit matching adults with youth needing additional support. Comparable in targeting Dutch children/youth with social-emotional vulnerabilities and relying on a large volunteer workforce plus referral pipelines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/sterkamp1
• Facebookfacebook.com/StichtingDeSter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stichting-de-ster
• Instagraminstagram.com/stichtingdester

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Stichting De Ster