Des Moines Y Camp

Name

Des Moines Y Camp

Legal name

YMCA of Greater Des Moines

Website

https://y-camp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Summer Camp Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps) (THAGAOAG), Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies) (EDAMALAB)

Keywords

• Youth summer camps
• Overnight camp programs
• Outdoor education services
• Youth leadership development
• Group retreat facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Boone

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Camp Program Fees: Revenue is generated through tiered registration fees for overnight camp, day camp, leadership development programs, and specialty camps. Fees range from $85 per week for VIP program participants to $1,000 for the international Global Leaders Program. Financial assistance and tiered pricing make programs accessible.
2. Donations and Annual Campaign: The YMCA of Greater Des Moines runs an Annual Campaign each year, raising funds from hundreds of donors across the country to support financial assistance and camp operations. Additional revenue comes from Trading Post store sales (snacks, merchandise) and trading post account deposits from campers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Des Moines Y Camp is a nonprofit youth camp and outdoor education provider operating on nearly 400 acres along the Des Moines River Valley in Boone, Iowa. It delivers week-long overnight camps, day camps, teen leadership development tracks (including an international program in Kosovo), school-based outdoor education, and group/retreat rentals. The camp serves more than 13,000 participants annually and has been continuously operating since 1919.

Product overview

Des Moines Y Camp operates as a traditional YMCA summer camp organization offering a diversified portfolio of camp programs centered on youth development and outdoor education. The core offerings include Overnight Camp (with Traditional, Mini Camp, Teen Camp, Specialty Camps, and Ranch Camp tracks) and Day Camp programs, both serving ages 6-17 with tiered pricing structures. The Leadership Development Program provides a progressive pathway for teen leadership training culminating in the Global Leaders Program, which includes international travel to Kosovo. Year-round programming encompasses School Programs (outdoor education for Pre-K through 12th grade), Groups & Retreats (facility rentals), and specialized retreats including Reconnect & Recharge Wellness Retreat and Readers By The River Bookish Retreat. The camp is located on nearly 400 acres along the Des Moines River Valley in Boone, Iowa, and serves over 13,000 people annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Leadership Development Program: Comprehensive leadership development track for teens including VIP (Volunteer in Progress), LA (Leader Assistant), LIT (Leader in Training), and Global Leaders Program (GLP) for international leadership experience in Kosovo.
• Global Leaders Program (GLP)
• Traditional Overnight Camp
• Ranch Camps
• Family Connection
• Readers By The River
• Reconnect & Recharge

Products and services

• Overnight Camp Week-long residential camp for ages 9-12 at the Boone, Iowa facility, offering archery, horseback riding, canoeing, zip lining, rock wall climbing, and core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
• Mini Camp Four-day, three-night introductory overnight camp for ages 7-8 (and 9-year-olds not ready for full week), easing the youngest campers into the residential camp experience at Y Camp Boone.
• Teen Camp Overnight camp program for ages 13-17 offering a more relaxed schedule with emphasis on social connection and peer relationships.
• Specialty Camps Week-long themed overnight programs focused on specific interests including adventure activities, artistic expression, culinary skills, and outdoor survival skills.
• Ranch Camps Horse-focused overnight camp programs (Pony Express ages 9-10, Bronco Busters ages 11-14, Ranch and Rodeo ages 13-16) offering horse care, grooming, riding techniques, trail rides, and arena lessons.
• Day Camp Daytime camp for ages 6-13 with hot lunch, swim lessons, climbing, hiking, archery, fishing, canoeing, arts and crafts, swimming, and horseback riding, with optional bus transportation from Boone and Ames locations.
• Spring Break Day Camp Seasonal spring break day camp for Boone and Ames communities featuring climbing wall, arts and crafts, archery, and gaga ball.
• Leadership Development Program Multi-tiered leadership program for teens ages 14-17 with VIP (Volunteer in Progress), LA (Leader Assistant), and LIT (Leader in Training) tracks focusing on service, knowledge, and vision. LIT includes Red Cross Lifeguarding or Ropes Belay Training certification.
• Global Leaders Program (GLP) Three-week international leadership experience for ages 15-17 combining a week at Y Camp with two weeks in Kosovo, focused on leadership skills, cultural exploration, and international service.
• School Programs (Outdoor Education) Year-round outdoor education programs for schools serving Pre-K through 12th grade, including curriculum-aligned activities and environmental education experiences.
• Groups & Retreats Facility rental and program services for groups seeking retreat experiences, including team building, outdoor activities, and conference facilities in the Des Moines River Valley.
• Reconnect & Recharge Wellness Retreat Year-round weekend wellness retreat for adults featuring sunrise yoga, scenic hikes, mindfulness experiences, creative activities, ziplining, canoeing, archery, and campfires.
• Readers By The River Bookish Retreat Year-round literary-themed retreat experience for book lovers, combining reading activities with traditional camp experiences.
• Family Camp Camp programs designed for families to experience together, including summer and seasonal sessions, promoting family bonding through camp activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves over 13,000 people annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YMCA of KosovocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA of Kosovo collaborates with Y Camp on the Global Leaders Program (GLP), a three-week international leadership experience. Campers spend time in Kosovo during weeks 3 and 4 of the program, working closely with the YMCA of Kosovo team. The partnership ensures safety, support, and program excellence during the international component, with direct supervision by veteran Y Camp Leaders.
• Heart Connection (Partner Camp)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeart Connection is a partner camp dedicated to supporting children and families impacted by cancer. During Heart Connection week, Y Camp VIPs and LAs continue their service roles while Heart Connection runs its own evening programs and takes the lead on operations.
• Partner Camps (Summer Staff)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorY Camp partners with other camps through its Partner Camps program, which allows Y Camp staff and campers to collaborate with and support other YMCA or affiliated camp operations during summer programming.
• Camping4GirlsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamping4Girls is an organization that coordinates with Y Camp to bring campers to the facility. Camping4Girls chapters handle registration, transportation, payment, and communication on behalf of camper families. All fees are paid in full by local Camping4Girls chapters, and chapter members deliver and pick up campers at Y Camp.
• YMCA of Greater Des MoinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerY Camp is a program of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, which has been dedicated to strengthening the central Iowa community since 1868. The parent organization provides operational support, branding, the annual campaign donor network, policy governance, and oversight. The YMCA of Greater Des Moines is located at 501 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309.
• KultureCityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerY Camp has partnered with KultureCity to become a sensory-inclusive venue, ensuring that campers with sensory sensitivities have access to accommodations and support. The partnership provides noise-canceling headphones and other sensory tools available for campers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YMCA Camp Mason: Pennsylvania-based YMCA overnight camp with traditional multi-activity programming and a leadership development pipeline. Comparable in YMCA affiliation, multi-week sessions, and youth development focus.
• YMCA Camp Widjiwagan: YMCA of the Twin Cities' premier overnight camp near Ely, Minnesota, offering multi-activity programming and a progressive leadership development track. Closest scale and program-structure peer to Y Camp outside Iowa.
• Camp Tanager: Nonprofit Iowa-based camp for youth with medical, developmental, or behavioral needs. Comparable in being an Iowa-located overnight camp with a youth-development mission, though serving a more specialized population.
• Camp Foster (YMCA): Iowa-based YMCA overnight camp serving youth with traditional outdoor activities. Direct peer within the Iowa YMCA camp network, comparable in size, mission, and program mix.
• Camp Hantesa: YMCA of Cedar Rapids-operated girls' overnight camp near Oxford, Iowa, offering traditional multi-activity programming for youth. Geographic and structural peer to Y Camp within the Iowa YMCA ecosystem.
• Tom Sawyer Camp: Nonprofit summer camp in Missouri serving youth with day and overnight multi-activity programming. Comparable in mission, program structure, and youth-development focus.
• YMCA Camp St. Croix: Operated by the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, Camp St. Croix is a multi-activity overnight and day camp in Hudson, WI, serving youth with traditional camp, leadership, and outdoor education programs. Directly comparable to Y Camp in mission, structure, and YMCA affiliation.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of Greater Des Moines: Parent organization of Y Camp, operating fitness facilities, child care, and youth programs across central Iowa. Relevant because Y Camp sits within the broader YMCA portfolio and competes for member attention and donor dollars.

Emerging players

• Camp Pinnacle (NC): Independent overnight summer camp in North Carolina offering traditional multi-activity programming for youth ages 6-17. Comparable in program mix but operates as an independent (non-YMCA) nonprofit.

Regional players

• Okoboji Bible Camp: Iowa-based summer camp offering multi-activity youth programs in the Iowa Great Lakes region. Regional peer serving similar demographics, with a more faith-based program overlay.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/dmycamp
• Facebookfacebook.com/DesMoinesYCamp
• Instagraminstagram.com/desmoines.ycamp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/des-moines-y-camp

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Des Moines Y Camp