Village of Deer Creek

What Village of Deer Creek does

Deer Creek Camp (DBA: Deer Creek, DCC) is a family-led, gospel-centered 501(c)(3) Christian summer camp and retreat center founded in 1996 by the Behling family on a 110-175-acre campus along the Medina River in Medina, Texas (Texas Hill Country). The organization operates a portfolio of six core camp programs segmented by age and focus: EPIC (adventure camp, ages 7-13), SALT (leadership/discipleship camp, ages 13-18), The Rock (competitive basketball camp led by former collegiate and professional players, ages 8-18), XPLR Day Camp (ages 5-8), XPLR City Camp (K-5, delivered through host church partnerships), and BRAVE (adaptive camp for youth and adults with disabilities). It also operates a group-retreat business (up to 260 guests, minimum 50), family co-op retreat weekends, a camp store, and a scholarship program.

Revenue is generated through camper tuition ($240-$1,950 per program/week), group retreat and facility rentals, donations via a Campwise-managed 501(c)(3) donation page, and camp-store merchandise. The Summit — a 15,800 sq ft multi-purpose facility with a hardwood basketball court, 500-seat worship center, and café — broke ground in Fall 2025 against a $3.24M capital campaign ($2.98M pledged) and is targeted for Summer 2026 completion, which would convert the operation from summer-only to year-round.

Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through the deercreekcamp.com website and Campwise registration platform, supplemented by church-partner channels for XPLR City Camp and direct sales for group retreats. The current operating leadership comprises four Sanders/Cone families (Jesse Sanders, Executive Director; Thomas Sanders, Director of Operations; John Caleb Sanders, Director of Facilities; Steve Cone, Director of Finance) plus named full-time staff, with seasonal summer staffing at a 1:5 staff-to-camper ratio supporting 75-150 campers per session. Volunteer labor is delivered through a Core-tier partnership with SOWERS (retired couples serving 3-week terms).

Name

Village of Deer Creek

Legal name

Deer Creek Camp

Website

https://deercreekcamp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deer Creek Camp is a family-led, gospel-centered 501(c)(3) Christian summer camp and retreat center on a 175-acre Texas Hill Country campus, serving youth ages 5-18 and faith-based groups through six camp programs, group retreats, and adaptive programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Summer Camp Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)

SIC

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

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), Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI)

Keywords

• Christian summer camp
• Youth retreat center
• Family camp programs
• Adaptive disability camp
• Leadership development camp

Headquarters

HQ city

Medina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Camp Registration Fees: Tuition fees for summer camp programs including EPIC, SALT, The Rock Basketball, XPLR Day/City, and BRAVE Adaptive camps. Prices range from $240-$1,950 depending on program and duration.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donation page available through Campwise platform.
3. Group Retreats and Facility Rental: Church groups, youth organizations, and families book retreats for weekend or week-long stays. Includes meals, lodging, and recreation activities.
4. Camp Store and Merchandise: Camp debit system for campers to purchase DCC apparel, gear, coffee shop, and smoothie bar items during camp sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Deer Creek Camp operates a family-led, gospel-centered Christian summer camp and retreat center offering age-segmented youth camps (EPIC ages 7-13, SALT ages 13-18, The Rock Basketball, XPLR Day Camp ages 5-8, XPLR City Camp K-5, BRAVE Adaptive Camp), family and group retreats, and summer staff employment programs. Programs integrate Biblical teaching, outdoor adventure (Medina River, ropes courses, rock climbing), and sports activities in the Texas Hill Country.

Product overview

Deer Creek Camp is a family-led, gospel-centered Christian camp offering a portfolio of specialized camp programs and retreat services. The core offerings include EPIC (adventure camp for ages 7-13), SALT (leadership/discipleship camp for ages 13-18), The Rock (competitive basketball camp), XPLR (day camps for ages 5-8 and church-based city camps for K-5th grade), and BRAVE (adaptive camp for individuals with disabilities). The camp also operates group and family retreat programs, a summer staff employment program, and maintains plans for The Summit, a multi-purpose facility. All programs integrate Biblical truths with outdoor adventure and sports activities in the Texas Hill Country setting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EPIC Adventure Camp EPIC is a summer adventure camp featuring high-energy sports and Christ-centered connections for youth ages 7-13, focusing on Biblical truths, sports, epic adventure, and intentional relationships. Priced at $975 per week or $1,950 for two-week session.
• SALT Leadership Camp SALT is a faith-driven leadership, discipleship, and sports competition camp for teens ages 13-18, focusing on servant leadership and teaching through various service positions around camp. Priced at $975 per week or $1,950 for two-week session.
• The Rock Basketball Camp The Rock is a competitive basketball camp led by former collegiate and professional basketball players, featuring 1:1 individual player skill development and scripture, with footwork, vision, spacing, and shooting training. Overnight rate $795, Day camp rate $695.
• XPLR Day Camp XPLR is a day camp for kids ages 5-8 that uses the great outdoors to share God's love, combining fun, faith and friendship into an action-packed week with creative play. Priced at $325 per week.
• XPLR City Camp XPLR City Camp is a week-long summer day camp experience for kids K-5th grade hosted at churches, featuring high-energy games, rock climbing, praise and worship, and engaging Bible studies. Priced at $250-$325 depending on host church location.
• BRAVE Adaptive Camp BRAVE is an adaptive camp for children and adults with disabilities, offering Gospel truths, engaging activities, 1:1 counselor attention, and Christ-centered adventures in a physically and socially safe environment. Camper rate $1,250, CIA (Christian In Action helper) rate $240.
• Group Retreats Group retreats available during fall, winter and spring for adult and youth groups, churches, ministries, faith-based organizations, and schools, featuring recreational activities and spiritual refreshment. Minimum 50 guests required; facility accommodates up to 260 guests.
• Family Co-op Retreats Family retreat weekends featuring s'mores, hayrides, outdoor games, worship, and family fellowship for families seeking spiritual refreshment and connection.
• Summer Staff Program Seasonal employment program offering positions including counselors, kitchen staff, videographer/photographer, worship leader, office assistant, housekeeping, work crew, and nanny for the camp's summer operations.
• Camp Scholarships Financial assistance program offering $200, $400, and Extraordinary Circumstances scholarships for families in need, funded by donor generosity to ensure camp accessibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• SOWERS ministry saves tens of thousands of dollars annually and enables projects beyond normal budget
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Oklahoma Baptist Men's Basketball TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted pre-season retreat for men's basketball team including devotionals, team building, ropes course, sports competitions, and spiritual reflections. Teaching character and sharing the gospel through athletics.
• SOWERS (Servants of God Working in Evangelism, Recreation, and Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetired couples serve 3-week volunteer terms at camps nationwide, bringing their own RVs. Contribute maintenance, improvement projects, and prayer support. Saves camp tens of thousands annually and enables projects otherwise impossible.
• River Oaks Court MedinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNearby lodging partner that donates 10% of booking proceeds back to Deer Creek Camp.
• Iowa Regular Baptist Camp (IRBC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamp staff visited IRBC in Iowa to gain insights into ministry guidance, observe multipurpose facility, and participate in Q&A sessions with staff.
• Kanakuk KampsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStaff visited Kanakuk in Branson, MO to learn about intentionality in discipleship programs. Met with Joe White and staff to gain wisdom on building effective camp ministry.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sky Ranch: Multi-state Christian camp with properties in Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma offering summer camp, retreats, and outdoor education. Most direct scaled competitor with similar multi-site strategy.
• Kanakuk Kamps: Large Christian summer camp network in Branson, MO, that DCC's staff explicitly benchmarked for discipleship intentionality. Multi-location, multi-sport, faith-based programming with similar mission and parent demographic.
• Camp Champions: Premier Texas Hill Country summer camp located on similar terrain near Lake LBJ. Highly comparable geographic positioning and traditional summer-camp model, though not faith-based.
• Cho-Yeh Camp and Conference Center: East Texas Christian camp and conference center with summer camp, retreat, and group-housing operations. Comparable retreat-housing business model and faith-based market positioning.
• Highland Lakes Camp: Texas Christian camp offering summer camp, retreat, and group rental programming. Competes for the same Texas Christian families and church retreat groups.
• Camp Balcones Springs: Texas Christian summer camp in the Hill Country with overnight, day, and family camp programs. Same geography, same faith-based mission, similar program structure.
• LLYC (Luther Lavern Lair Youth Camp): Christian summer camp in Texas with overnight programming and retreat facilities. Comparable Texas-based faith-based camp with similar size and ministry positioning.
• Iowa Regular Baptist Camp (IRBC): Baptist-affiliated summer camp in Iowa that DCC staff visited for insights on ministry guidance and multipurpose facility planning. Same faith-based model with comparable mid-size operations.
• Pine Cove: Texas-based Christian summer camp operating multiple properties across the state with overnight camp, day camp, and family camp offerings. Closest direct peer in both geography and program mix (sports + adventure + faith).

Broad incumbents

• Young Life: National Christian youth ministry with deep camp property portfolio (Trail West, Crooked Creek, Malibu Club). Wider mission and geographic reach than DCC, but direct competition for the same Christian youth and family retreat segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@deercreekcamp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deer-creek-camp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Village of Deer Creek