Camp Encourage

What Camp Encourage does

Camp Encourage is a Kansas City-based nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by special educators to serve youth on the autism spectrum. It operates six annual camp sessions in 2026 for autistic campers ages 10-18 plus an alumni reunion for ages 19+, primarily at Heartland Retreat Center in Parkville, MO, with one summer session at Tall Oaks Camp in Linwood, KS. Programming centers on overnight and summer camp experiences delivered with a 3:2 camper-to-counselor ratio, a Peer Model program integrating non-autistic youth as role models, and free Camp Family events that extend the community outside of camp dates. The organization also offers Training and Consultation services to schools, corporations, and other camps on autism support topics including sensory strategies, executive functioning, inclusion, and social connections.

The technology stack supporting operations is modest and off-the-shelf: CampBrain for camper registration and tuition payment, Auxilia for donor management (adopted 2024), the myCAMP mobile app for parent/volunteer communications and camp photos, and the Recite Me web accessibility toolbar providing text-to-speech and translation in 100+ languages. There is no proprietary AI or ML capability; the differentiator is human clinical expertise and sensory-informed programming rather than software.

The revenue model is diversified across camper tuition (with 100% of scholarship applicants receiving financial support), individual donations and recurring giving, foundation grants (e.g., Feist Charitable Foundation), corporate event sponsorships (S'mores and Pours 2026 anchored by Lockton and Honey Bee Pediatric Dental Co.), third-party community fundraising, and the emerging B2B training and consultation line. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth within autism support networks, healthcare partner referrals, local media coverage, and an annual fundraising gala. Geographic reach is regional, limited to the Kansas City metro area.

Name

Camp Encourage

Legal name

Camp Encourage

Website

https://campencourage.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Camp Encourage is a Kansas City-based nonprofit founded in 2007 that operates overnight and summer camps for autistic youth ages 10-18, plus alumni programs, using a 3:2 camper-to-counselor ratio and a Peer Model program, funded through tuition, donations, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Needs Youth Camps

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

Keywords

• Overnight camp programs
• Autism support services
• Special needs camps
• Youth recreation camps
• Nonprofit summer camps

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Camper Tuition: Fees paid by families for camp attendance sessions, with financial support available through scholarships
2. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations including sponsorship of events and general operations
3. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for annual events like S'mores and Pours and Camp Family Events
4. Third-Party Fundraising: Community members raising funds on behalf of the organization through product sales and events

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Camp Encourage is a nonprofit that runs overnight and summer camp sessions for autistic youth ages 10-18 (and alumni ages 19+) at two regional campgrounds, supplemented by a peer model program, free Camp Family events, and a scholarship program that offers financial support to 100% of applicants. It also offers fee-based training and consultation services to schools, corporations, and other camps on autism support topics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Overnight Camp Sessions Overnight camp experiences for autistic youth ages 10-18 (and alumni ages 19+), held at Heartland Center in Parkville, MO and Tall Oaks Camp in Linwood, KS. Sessions include traditional camp activities and tailored activities based on individual camper interests.
• Summer Camp Sessions Multi-day summer camp sessions for campers ages 10-18, including both Heartland Center and Tall Oaks locations, with a 3:2 camper-to-counselor ratio.
• Peer Model Program Program where Peer Model Campers reside in cabins with autistic campers, participate in all camp activities, and serve as role models for social skill development.
• Alumni Reunion Camp Camp session designed for Camp Encourage alumni campers ages 19 and older, offering both day and overnight options to continue community connection.
• Camp Family Events Free events providing a welcoming space for campers and their families outside of camp sessions, including social gatherings and fundraising activities like S'mores and Pours.
• Training and Consultation Services Expertise sharing in autism support for schools, corporations, and other camps. Topics include Introduction to Autism, Executive Functioning, Inclusion, Trauma Informed Care, Visual Strategies, Sensory Strategies, Functions of Behavior, Social Connections, Emotional Wellness, Self-Esteem, and Skills of Independence.
• Scholarship Program Financial support program offering scholarships to camper families, with 100% of scholarship applicants offered financial support to ensure camp is accessible regardless of ability to pay.
• S'mores and Pours Annual Fundraiser Annual fundraising event featuring open bar, dinner, s'mores-inspired desserts, auction and raffle items, and presentations about camp impact. Provides sponsorship tiers for corporate partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of scholarship applicants receive offers for financial support
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Honey Bee Pediatric Dental Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder Becca serves on the Camp Encourage Board of Directors. The practice provides hands-on training to Camp Encourage staff to better serve patients on the autism spectrum, and refers families from their practice to Camp Encourage. Present presenting sponsor for S'mores and Pours 2026 event.
• LocktoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at the Wilderness Experts tier for S'mores and Pours 2026 event, demonstrating commitment to supporting autism services in the Kansas City community.
• LittlersecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at The Adventurers tier for S'mores and Pours 2026 event.
• NetsmartsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at The Adventurers tier for S'mores and Pours 2026 event.
• Fry OrthodonticssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at The Adventurers tier for S'mores and Pours 2026 event.
• The AbbottsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for S'mores and Pours 2026 event, hosting the annual fundraiser at their location in Kansas City, MO.
• Recite MecoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides cloud-based web accessibility and language toolbar that enables visitors to customize their website experience, helping the organization reach more families including those with reading differences and non-English speakers.
• CampBraincoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party camper registration and tuition payment software used for all camper registrations and applications.
• AuxiliacoreTechnology or IntegrationDonor management software used for managing recurring donations and viewing donation history, adopted in 2024.
• Heartland Retreat CentercoreOthersPrimary camp location in Parkville, MO where five of six annual camp sessions are held.
• Tall Oaks Camp and Conference CentersecondaryOthersCamp location in Linwood, KS where one summer session (Summer Session 2, ages 14-18) is held annually.
• Feist Charitable FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation sponsor providing support for free Camp Family events including End of Summer Swim Social, Skating Social, and Winter Gathering.
• Beacon Wealth AdvisorycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor supporting free Camp Family events including End of Summer Swim Social, Skating Social, and Winter Gathering.
• Autism Support NowsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor supporting free Camp Family events including End of Summer Swim Social, Skating Social, and Winter Gathering.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Camp Fire: National youth development nonprofit operating inclusive camp and afterschool programs across many U.S. markets. Comparable as a youth-focused camp operator with inclusion programming, but broader in mission and not autism-specialized.
• Variety the Children's Charity: National children's charity providing mobility, inclusion, and camp programs for children with disabilities. Comparable in mission and operating camp programs for special-needs populations, but at significantly larger scale.
• Easter Seals: Large national nonprofit providing disability and autism services including camp and respite programs across many states. Comparable in mission and services for individuals with disabilities, but operates at much larger scale and geographic breadth.

Direct peers

• Camp Krem: California-based nonprofit running overnight summer camps for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Directly comparable in residential camp model and autism/special-needs focus.
• Adam's Camp: Nonprofit running therapy-intensive camps and programs for children with developmental disabilities including autism across multiple states. Comparable in mission, intensive staffing ratios, and family-services orientation.
• Camp C.A.M.P. Texas-based nonprofit running overnight summer camps for children with disabilities including autism. Most directly comparable to Camp Encourage in mission, camp-based delivery model, and target population.
• Camp Blessing Texas: Faith-based nonprofit overnight camp serving children and adults with special needs including autism. Comparable overnight-camp delivery model and special-needs population focus.
• Camp Paivika: California-based overnight camp operated by Variety Children's Charity serving children and adults with developmental disabilities including autism. Comparable in camp-based service delivery and special-needs population.

Others

• American Camp Association: National industry association of which Camp Encourage is an accredited member. Relevant as the credentialing body for camp standards and as a peer network for industry benchmarking and training resources.
• Autism Society of America: National nonprofit autism advocacy and support organization. Comparable in serving the autism community and adjacent in mission, though not a direct camp operator.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutu.be/aC3_KcMYHS0
• Instagraminstagram.com/campencourage

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Camp Encourage