Texas Baptist Encampment

What Texas Baptist Encampment does

Texas Baptist Encampment (TBE) is a nonprofit Christian camp and retreat center located on the Gulf Coast of Southeast Texas in Palacios, on the shores of Tres Palacios Bay. Founded in 1902, the organization operates year-round and self-describes as the oldest camp west of the Mississippi River. Its core offerings divide into three revenue streams: (1) programmed summer camps for youth including Boys Adventure Camp ($185/person), Girls Expedition Camp ($199/person), Kamp Khaos ($195/person, preteens), and Onecamp; (2) year-round retreat, conference, and banquet facility rentals accommodating groups of 2 to 800; and (3) individual donations solicited via an online portal and recurring giving campaigns, particularly activated during financial hardship periods. Underlying services include a web-based camper registration system with health card and background check processing, a mandatory Child Protection Training certification valid two years, and an online donation platform supporting weekly to annual recurring gifts.

The business model is event-driven and church-mediated. Church representatives register groups of campers and adult sponsors through the camp website or by contacting the camp office directly, with a $50 non-refundable deposit and $20 late fees applied per registrant. Retreat and conference bookings route through a Reservations Coordinator via email and phone with custom quotes. The customer base is concentrated in Baptist churches and associations across Texas (Colorado, Galveston, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Gulf Coast, San Felipe associations), state conventions (Texas Baptists/BGCT, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention/SBTC), and national bodies (Southern Baptist Convention/SBC, Christian Camp & Conference Association/CCCA, Southern Baptist Camping Association/SBCA). Pre-pandemic summer attendance was approximately 4,000 campers; the 2020 pandemic drove summer attendance down to 256 and erased 80% of annual income, but by 2023 summer camps were fully booked, signaling recovery. TBE operates under its own board of trustees with no parent company, no outside equity, and a small year-round staff led by Executive Director Rob Kessler (since 2003) and Camp Hostess Jeannie Stahlecker (since 1999), supplemented by seasonal college and high-school workers.

Name

Texas Baptist Encampment

Legal name

Texas Baptist Encampment

Website

https://texasbaptistencampment.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Texas Baptist Encampment is a nonprofit Christian camp and retreat center in Palacios, Texas, serving Baptist churches and religious organizations since 1902 with summer youth camps, weekend retreats, conferences, and event hosting on the Gulf Coast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Camp & Retreat Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Christian camp services
• Retreat center hosting
• Summer youth camps
• Conference facility rental
• Spiritual retreat lodging

Headquarters

HQ city

Palacios

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Summer Camp Fees: Fees charged for summer camp programs including Boys Adventure Camp ($185/person), Girls Expedition Camp ($199/person), Kamp Khaos ($195/person), and Onecamp. $50 non-refundable deposits required per registrant.
2. Retreat and Conference Facility Rental: Year-round rental of facilities for weekend retreats, conferences, banquets, and church gatherings. Groups of 2 to 800 can be accommodated. Pricing available via retreat pricing schedule.
3. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations solicited through online portal, monthly/annual giving options, and special campaigns like Giving Tuesday. The camp has actively sought donations during financial hardship periods.
4. Event Day Passes and Overnight Stays: May by the Bay adult retreat at $20/person all-inclusive. Hotel room and RV park overnight stays available at additional cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Texas Baptist Encampment operates a year-round Christian camp and retreat center on the Gulf Coast of Southeast Texas in Palacios. It offers programmed summer camps for youth (Girls Expedition Camp, Boys Adventure Camp, Kamp Khaos, Onecamp), weekend retreats, conferences, church gatherings, banquets, and event hosting, supported by on-site lodging, dining, and recreation facilities accommodating groups of 2 to 800.

Product overview

Texas Baptist Encampment operates as a traditional camp retreat center offering a coordinated portfolio of overnight accommodation, programming, and recreational services. The core offering consists of programmed summer camps for youth (Girls Expedition Camp, Boys Adventure Camp, Kamp Khaos, OneCamp360), weekend retreats, conferences, and special events, supported by on-site lodging (lodge dormitories and hotel rooms totaling ~800 person capacity), dining services, and recreation facilities. Related services include an online registration system for camper enrollment, a child protection training certification program, and an online donation platform. The organization has been in operation since 1902 and is located on the Gulf Coast of Southeast Texas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Camps Program Year-round summer camp programming for youth from 1st grade through 12th grade, including Girls Expedition Camp, Boys Adventure Camp, Kamp Khaos Preteen Camp, and Onecamp. Activities include worship, Bible study, missions, music, recreation, water activities, and fellowship.
• Weekend Retreats Year-round weekend retreats for churches and adult groups, including May by the Bay adult retreat. Accommodates groups of 2 to 800 with customizable programming options including worship, music, preaching, and fellowship.
• Conference & Banquet Facilities Meeting and event spaces including the 800-seat Tabernacle, 350-seat Thibodeaux Conference Center, Roberts Conference Room (110 capacity), Gulf Coast Conference Rooms, and full dining hall services for up to 800 guests.
• Lodge & Hotel Accommodations Sleeping facilities including San Felipe Lodge (44 beds), Guadalupe Lodge (52 beds), Gulf Coast South/North Lodges (120 beds each), Colorado/Galveston Lodges (136 beds each), and Bayview/Seascape Hotel Complexes (18 and 14 rooms respectively). Total sleeping capacity up to 800 guests.
• Recreation Facilities Outdoor recreation facilities including softball field, beach volleyball court, basketball court, soccer field, Gaga Ball courts, Human Foosball Pavilion, Dodgeball Pavilion, Snak Shak & Game Pavilion, recreation pier with boating activities, and swimming pool.

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Colorado Baptist AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated association whose member churches use the camp for retreats and summer camps.
• Galveston Baptist AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated association whose member churches use the camp for retreats and summer camps.
• Gonzales Baptist AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated association whose member churches use the camp for retreats and summer camps.
• Guadalupe Baptist AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated association whose member churches use the camp for retreats and summer camps.
• Gulf Coast Baptist AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated association whose member churches use the camp for retreats and summer camps.
• San Felipe Baptist AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated association whose member churches use the camp for retreats and summer camps.
• Christian Camp & Conference Association (CCCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization for Christian camps and conferences. TBE is a member, providing networking and best practices resources.
• Southern Baptist Camping Association (SBCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association for Southern Baptist camps. TBE is a member for networking and resource sharing.
• Texas Baptist Camping AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level camping association providing networking and resources for Texas Baptist camps.
• Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational convention providing denominational alignment and resources for Baptist camping ministry.
• Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState convention providing denominational alignment, training resources, and network support for Texas churches and camps.
• Texas Baptists (BGCT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaptist General Convention of Texas - major state convention providing denominational support, training, and resources.
• Campers on MissionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer organization that brings RV campers to assist with camp operations and maintenance during events.
• RVICS (Roving Volunteers in Christ's Service)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer organization providing service support for Christian camps and organizations.
• SOWER MinistryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerServants on Wheels Ever Ready - volunteer ministry providing skilled labor support for camp projects.
• Texas Baptist MenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer organization providing support and resources for Texas Baptist ministry efforts.
• Volunteer Christian BuildersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer organization providing construction and building services for Christian camps and organizations.
• First Baptist Church of PalaciosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal affiliated church, likely a key partner in community engagement and support.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pine Cove: One of the largest Christian summer camp organizations in Texas, offering overnight youth camps and family retreats across multiple locations — directly comparable in faith-based camp programming and church referral channels.
• Sky Ranch: A multi-site Christian summer camp and retreat ministry operating across Texas and Oklahoma with programmed youth camps, family retreats, and church-group rentals — directly comparable in mission, customer base, and programming.
• Lifeway Ridgecrest Conference Center: Faith-based conference and retreat center operated by Lifeway in North Carolina hosting church retreats, summer camps, and conferences — comparable as a long-running denominational retreat venue with similar lodging and programming mix.
• Kanakuk Kamps: Network of Christian summer camps in Missouri and Arkansas serving youth and families with programmed overnight camps — comparable in faith-based overnight youth camp programming and church-affiliated customer pipeline.
• Glorieta Camps: Christian summer camp and retreat center in New Mexico serving youth programs and church retreats — directly comparable as a faith-based, multi-program camp with significant lodging capacity.
• Lutheran Camp Valley Crossways: Faith-based camp and retreat center with summer youth programs, church retreat rentals, and waterfront recreation — comparable in faith-based camp/retreat mission, customer pipeline through regional church networks, and facility-driven programming.
• Camp Allen: Episcopal retreat and conference center in Navasota, Texas offering programmed retreats, summer camps, and facility rental to churches and groups — directly comparable as a Texas denominational retreat/camp hybrid with year-round operations.

Broad incumbents

• KOA (Kampgrounds of America): National franchise of campgrounds with developed RV sites, cabins, and amenities — relevant peer for TBE's RV park and lodging offering as a broad incumbent in paid outdoor lodging, though it operates a franchise model rather than a faith-based camp.

Regional players

• Camp Zephyr: Christian camp in Sandia, Texas offering summer youth camps and retreats to church groups across the Gulf Coast and South Texas — directly comparable mission and partially overlapping geography with TBE's Gulf Coast Texas service area.

Others

• Christian Camps & Conferences Association (CCCA): National trade association of which TBE is a member; comparable as the industry-body peer providing networking, accreditation, and benchmarking across the same faith-based camp segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/texas-baptist-encampment

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 Texas Baptist Encampment