Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center

What Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center does

Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center is a not-for-profit organization affiliated with the United Methodist Church, operating a 40-acre camp and retreat facility on the shores of Lower Twin Lakes in Rathdrum, Idaho. Founded in 1928, the organization has run continuously for more than 94 years, delivering summer day and overnight camps for children in grades 1-12 (16 distinct programs) plus year-round retreats for church groups, corporate teams, families, and wedding parties. Core products include Summer Overnight Camps, Summer Day Camp, Youth Winter Camp, Elementary Winter Overnight, Young Adult Retreats, and a diversified set of retreat and wedding venue offerings. Physical infrastructure comprises Selkirk Lodge (hotel-style, 40 guests), Pinecrest Lake House (11 guests, distributed via Airbnb), Peaceful Cabins (121 guests across nine cabins), Retreat Center Bunkrooms (26 guests), and the Historic Old Lodge event venue, supported by waterfront activities, land recreation, and a 9-hole mini golf course added in 2023. Technology consists of third-party SaaS only — CampBrain for registration and staff applications, PayPal for donations, and Checkoutstores for merchandise e-commerce — with no proprietary systems. The go-to-market model is community-led and event-driven: Twinlow leverages denominational referrals through the Pacific Northwest United Methodist Church and PNW Camps network, partnerships with 4-H and the University of Idaho, and ACA-accredited programming validated by American Red Cross lifeguard certification. Revenue is generated across four streams — summer camp fees, retreat and group rental bookings, camp store and Camp Grounds coffee shop sales, and donations including a monthly giving club and denominational endowment funds — and is supplemented by volunteer labor through the NOMADS program. The organization holds Newsweek "America's Best Summer Camps" recognition for 2023 and American Camp Association accreditation renewed on a 5-year peer review cycle.

Name

Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center

Legal name

Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center

Website

https://twinlow.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center is a not-for-profit United Methodist camp operating since 1928 on 40 acres at Lower Twin Lakes in Rathdrum, Idaho, offering summer camps for grades 1-12 and year-round retreats, weddings, and family rentals across the Inland Northwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Summer Camp and Retreat Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (721211)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Cabin & Cottage Campgrounds (THAGAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cabin & Cottage Campgrounds (THAMAJAD), Campgrounds & RV Parks (Developed Sites) (THAGAOAA), Traditional Campgrounds (Tent & Mixed-Use) (THAMAJAB)

Keywords

• Summer camp programs
• Retreat center rentals
• Youth group facilities
• Wedding venue services
• Outdoor recreation activities

Headquarters

HQ city

Rathdrum

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Summer Camp Fees: Revenue from overnight and day camp programs for children grades 1st-12th, with weekly sessions during summer months (June-August). Camps include elementary, middle school, and high school programs.
2. Retreat and Group Rentals: Facility rental revenue from corporate retreats, church groups, weddings, family reunions, and other private events. Includes lodging accommodations (cabins, lodge, retreat center bunkrooms, Pinecrest Lake House) and meeting space rentals.
3. Camp Store (The Oar): Retail sales of Twinlow branded merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, hats, water bottles, stickers, as well as consumables like ice cream and drinks. Also includes Camp Grounds coffee shop serving espresso drinks.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, monthly giving club, United Methodist Endowment Fund, andThrivent Choice charitable outreach funds. Donations support camperships (scholarships), facility improvements, and operational costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center operates a 40-acre lakeside camp and retreat facility on Lower Twin Lakes in North Idaho, offering residential summer day and overnight camps for children grades 1-12 (June-August), year-round retreat venue rentals for churches, businesses, families and organizations, and wedding venue services. The organization also provides year-round event programming including youth winter camps, young adult retreats, and a coffee shop and camp store on premises.

Product overview

Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center operates as a unified camp and retreat facility offering seasonal youth camps and year-round group retreat services. The core product portfolio includes Summer Day Camp and Overnight Camps (June-August) serving children 1st-12th grade, Youth Winter Camp, Elementary Winter Overnight, and Young Adult Retreats. Supporting facilities include Selkirk Lodge (hotel-style, 40 guests), Pinecrest Lake House (private lakefront rental, 11 guests), Peaceful Cabins (121 guests across 9 cabins), and Retreat Center Bunkrooms (26 guests). Event venues include the Historic Old Lodge for weddings and the Dining Hall for group meals. On-site amenities feature waterfront activities (swimming, boating, watersports, aqua park), land activities (archery, climbing, sports), 9-hole mini golf course, and Camp Grounds coffee shop. The organization also operates The Oar camp store and offers volunteer programs, summer staff employment, video/photo internships, and donation/scholarship programs. Registration is managed through CampBrain software with PayPal payment processing for donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Oar: Twinlow's camp store located in the Fireside Room on the lower level of the Dining Hall, offering Twinlow branded merchandise, treats, and souvenirs.
• Camp Grounds
• Selkirk Lodge
• Pinecrest Lake House

Products and services

• Summer Day Camp Day camp program for children grades 1-5 offering daily activities including arts and crafts, swimming, sports, and nature walks. Campers arrive in the morning and return home each evening.
• Summer Overnight Camps Residential overnight camps for children grades 1-12 running June through August. Programs focus on Christian values, nature awareness, adventure activities, and friendship building with 16 different program options.
• Youth Winter Camp Winter camp weekend for middle and high school youth featuring worship, sledding, broomball, snow activities, and hot cocoa. Held in January.
• Elementary Winter Overnight Winter overnight camp for elementary students (grades 1-5) featuring snow tubing, broomball, crafts, board games, and interactive worship. Weekend format in January-February.
• Young Adult Retreat

Quantifiable outcome

• Newsweek named Twinlow one of America's Best Summer Camps for 2023, recognizing high-quality programs, facilities, and community support
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pacific Northwest United Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacific Northwest United Methodist Church is the denominational affiliation providing oversight and support for Twinlow as a church-affiliated camp ministry. This partnership drives camper recruitment from church congregations and provides spiritual guidance aligned with United Methodist values.
• PNW CampscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional camp network of the Pacific Northwest United Methodist Church connecting camps and facilitating shared resources, training, and camper referrals across the denomination.
• American Camp AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACA provides accreditation for Twinlow, ensuring compliance with national standards for camp safety, operations, and programming. This third-party validation builds trust with parents and demonstrates commitment to quality.
• Idaho Mission ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing service mission opportunities for youth at Twinlow, connecting campers with community service and faith-based service learning experiences.
• Angel Tree (Prison Fellowship)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAngel Tree program connects children of incarcerated parents with camp experiences, providing scholarships and opportunities for youth who might not otherwise attend summer camp.
• United Methodist NOMADSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwinlow is an official summer stop and year-round drop-in site for the United Methodist NOMAD program. NOMADS volunteers provide maintenance, improvements, and skilled labor support for camp facilities. RV parking available for volunteer RVs.
• Family PromiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily Promise affiliate with logo displayed on Twinlow's partners page, likely supporting family homeless assistance programs with potential camp experiences.
• 4-H / University of IdahocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver 4-H STEM Camp programs at Twinlow. Certified teachers from 4-H and University of Idaho lead robotics, coding, and environmental science activities. Expands Twinlow's reach to 4-H families and provides educational programming beyond traditional camp activities.
• American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Red Cross provides lifeguard certification training for Twinlow staff. Twinlow has a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard Instructor on staff who provides lifeguard courses free of charge to employees. Staff undergo regular in-service training and certification updates.
• Supra BoatsminorOthersWatercraft brand partnership providing boats for wakeboarding and watersports activities at Twinlow's waterfront.
• AquaGlideminorOthersAquatic inflatable toys and equipment partner providing the inflatable waterpark features at Twinlow's waterfront.
• Evans Brothers Coffee Roasting CompanyminorOthersLocal Sandpoint, Idaho coffee roaster providing beans for Twinlow's Camp Grounds coffee shop. Features local craft coffee in Camp Grounds cafe serving espresso drinks to campers and guests.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Camp Lutherhaven: Faith-based (Lutheran) summer camp and retreat center on Coeur d'Alene Lake in North Idaho, offering overnight camps, retreats, and outdoor programs to a similar Inland Northwest demographic. Most directly comparable peer; explicitly referenced in Twinlow staff's prior work history.
• Ross Point Camps & Conference Center: United Methodist camp and conference center in the Pacific Northwest serving families, youth groups, and retreat guests with waterfront programming on the Spokane River. Directly comparable denominational affiliation, geography, and programming mix.
• Wesley Forest Camp: United Methodist camp and retreat center in Weikert, Pennsylvania where Twinlow's current Director previously served in a 3-church appointment. Comparable faith-based model with summer camps and year-round retreat offerings.
• Mount Asbury Retreat Center: United Methodist-affiliated retreat center where Twinlow's Director volunteered prior to his current role. Operates retreats and faith-based programming with similar denominational affiliation and mission orientation.
• Camp Pine (Pacific Northwest Methodist Camp): Sibling camp within the same Pacific Northwest United Methodist Church camp network (PNW Camps), sharing registration infrastructure (CampBrain) and overlapping camper audiences. Operates summer camps and retreats with similar Christian outdoor programming model.
• Lake Retreat Conference Center: Faith-based (multiple denominations) retreat and conference center on a lakefront property in the Pacific Northwest offering group retreats, family reunions, and youth programs. Comparable lodging capacity, meeting facilities, and retreat-focused business model.
• Camp Penn: Pacific Northwest United Methodist camp referenced as the Director's formative summer employment site. Operates within the same PNW Camps network with shared marketing, registration, and audience overlap.

Others

• American Camp Association (Industry Association): Industry association providing accreditation standards, parent search directories, and benchmarking that Twinlow participates in. Not a competitor but a key ecosystem player that shapes parent discovery and quality signals for the entire summer camp industry.

Regional players

• Camp Cedarbrook (YMCA of the Inland Northwest): YMCA-affiliated summer camp in the Inland Northwest offering traditional overnight and day camps for children. Regional competitor for the same family demographic but with non-denominational, broader community positioning.

Emerging players

• Kamp Kanuga: Episcopal-affiliated camp and conference center in North Carolina offering summer camps and year-round retreats. Comparable faith-based outdoor programming model with year-round facility utilization and ACA accreditation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCme5VlsaSdnnAAuP7dyolkA
• Facebookfacebook.com/twinlowcampandretreatcenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/twinlow
• Pinterestpinterest.com/twinlow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/twinlow-camp-and-retreat-center

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center