Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association is an ELCA-affiliated 501(c)(3) operating a 110-acre faith-based camp and retreat ministry on East Lake Okoboji in Spirit Lake, Iowa, serving youth, families, church groups, and wedding parties with overnight camps, lodging, and year-round programming funded by fees, donations, and a $3.5M capital campaign.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1959
- HeadquartersSpirit Lake, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association does
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association is a 501(c)(3) ELCA-affiliated outdoor and retreat ministry founded in 1959 and incorporated in Iowa as an Association of 140 Lutheran churches. It operates a 110-acre property on East Lake Okoboji in Spirit Lake, Iowa, with 3.5 miles of nature trails, waterfront access, 12 rustic cabins, four modern lodging facilities (Jerusalem, Shalom, Chalet, The Lodge), 10 RV sites, and an Event Center with indoor capacity for 200.
The organization generates revenue across five primary streams: camp program fees (overnight, day, family, and specialty camps spanning preschool through high school plus Celebration Camp for adults with varying abilities), lodging rentals ($35-$800/night depending on unit and season), event center and wedding venue rentals ($1,000-$2,000 per event), charitable donations and grants through multiple rails including online giving, Venmo, Thrivent Action Team Cards, stock, and legacy giving, and ancillary event services such as $50 birthday party packages and disc golf (operated in partnership with Deer Valley, LLC). Pricing is per-program or per-night with early-bird discounts; year-round childcare subscriptions (Sprouts, CAMPCare) introduce monthly recurring revenue.
Distribution is entirely direct-to-consumer via the lutheranlakeside.com website, CampBrain-powered registration/donation platforms, phone, email, and on-site sales — no third-party resellers. Customer acquisition relies on the ELCA Lutheran church network across Iowa and surrounding Midwest states, supplemented by Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, a semiannual newsletter, and donor events. The active $3.5M "For Every Season" capital campaign is funding new infrastructure ($1.3M), new cabins ($1.2M-$2.2M), and year-round accessibility upgrades targeting 230 total beds and significant growth in both summer and non-summer attendance.
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association
- Legal name
- Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association
- Website
- https://lutheranlakeside.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1959
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association is an ELCA-affiliated 501(c)(3) operating a 110-acre faith-based camp and retreat ministry on East Lake Okoboji in Spirit Lake, Iowa, serving youth, families, church groups, and wedding parties with overnight camps, lodging, and year-round programming funded by fees, donations, and a $3.5M capital campaign.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Camp and Retreat Ministry Services
- NAICS
- Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (721211), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus) (THAMAJAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Marina RV & Waterfront Campgrounds (THAMAJAH), Eco-Camps & Sustainable Camping Retreats (THAGAOAE), Traditional Campgrounds (Tent & Mixed-Use) (THAMAJAB)
Keywords
Where Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Spirit Lake
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Camp Program Fees: Registration fees for summer camps (overnight and day camps), year-round programs (Sprouts, CAMPCare, No-School Adventure Day Camp), family camps, and mission trips. Fees vary by program type and duration.
- Lodging Rentals: Rental revenue from rustic cabins ($70/night), modern lodging facilities (Jerusalem, Shalom, Chalet, Lodge at $500-$800/night), and RV park sites ($35/night). Modern facilities available year-round; rustic cabins May-October.
- Event Center Rental: Wedding and event venue rental revenue. April-October weddings $2,000; November-March $1,000. Event Center bookings at $75/hour or $500 for 12-hour period. Limited 1-day event availability during wedding season.
- Donations & Grants: Charitable contributions from individuals, congregations, and grant-making organizations. EIN 42-1302683. Multiple donation mechanisms including online giving, Venmo, Thrivent Action Team Cards, stock donations, legacy giving, and designated gifts for specific projects.
- Birthday Party Packages: Basic party package at $50 plus optional add-ons (escape room, archery, rock climbing, zip lining, pool access, waterfront activities). Revenue from recreational activity bookings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Little Lakers Day Camp (4-5 years, week-long morning camp) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Adventure Day Camp (K-6th grade, full-day) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Explorer Camp (2nd-4th grade, half-week) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Cultivator Camp (4th-6th grade, full week overnight) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | TrailBlazer Camp (6th-9th grade, full week) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Leader Camp (10th-12th grade, leadership development) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Voyager Camp (High school, full week) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Celebration Camp (Adults with varying abilities, half-week) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Mission Trips (Groups, per person) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Rustic Cabins |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Jerusalem Modern Lodging |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Shalom Modern Lodging |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chalet Modern Lodging |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | The Lodge Modern Lodging |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | RV Park Sites |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Wedding Venue Rental |
| Subscription | Monthly | Sprouts Camp (4-year-olds, school year) |
| Subscription | Monthly | CAMPCare (Before/after school) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | No-School Adventure Day Camp |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Adopt-a-Cabin Program |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | For Every Season Capital Campaign |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association operates a 110-acre faith-based outdoor and retreat ministry on East Lake Okoboji in Spirit Lake, Iowa. It sells summer and year-round youth camp programs (ages 4-18), group retreat facilitation for churches and organizations, lodging rentals (rustic cabins, modern facilities, RV park), wedding and event venue services through the Lakeside Event Center, birthday party packages, and recreational activities such as disc golf. The organization is funded through program fees, lodging rentals, and charitable donations including a multi-year $3.5 million capital campaign.
Product overview
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association operates a camp and retreat ministry on 110 acres along East Lake Okoboji in Spirit Lake, Iowa. The organization offers summer overnight and day camp programs for youth (preschool through high school), year-round childcare and day camp services, group retreat facilitation, wedding and event venue rental through the Lakeside Event Center, and various lodging options including rustic cabins, modern retreat facilities, and an RV park. The portfolio includes core camp programming (Summer Camps, Year-Round Camps), hospitality services (Lodging, Weddings, Retreats, Birthday Parties), and fundraising initiatives (Camper Sponsorship, For Every Season Campaign). Activities available include disc golf, swimming, rock climbing, zip lining, archery, and waterfront sports. The organization is an ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) outdoor and retreat ministry established in 1959.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Summer Camp Programs Overnight and day camp programs for youth ages 4-18, including Little Lakers (preschool), Adventure Day Camp (K-6th), Explorer (2nd-4th), Cultivator (4th-6th), TrailBlazer (6th-9th), Leader (10th-12th), Voyager (high school), Family & Friends Camp, and Celebration Camp for adults with varying abilities.
- Year-Round Childcare and Day Camps
Quantifiable outcome
- 350 additional campers per summer after campaign completion
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Deer Valley, LLCminorPartnership to design and maintain the 18-hole disc golf course on camp property. Deer Valley LLC provides course design expertise; Lutheran Lakeside provides the venue and ongoing operations. Course open to campers and public guests with scoring via Udisc app.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- YMCA of the USA (camping programs): National nonprofit operating sleepaway camps, family retreats, and outdoor education programming; broader mission and significantly larger footprint, but overlapping family/recreation use case and a comparable registered non-profit operating model.
- Young Life: National faith-based youth organization operating camps and retreat properties across the US; broader scale and denomination-agnostic mission, but directly competes for the same youth-ministry and donor-share wallet.
- Kampgrounds of America (KOA): Largest US franchise network of RV parks and campgrounds including tent/RV sites and cabin lodging; competes directly for the same Okoboji-region family camping and overnight lodging demand that drives Lutheran Lakeside's RV park and cabin revenue.
Direct peers
- Camp Idan-ha: ELCA-affiliated outdoor ministry operating as a summer camp and year-round retreat center with similar programming tracks, lodging, and donor-supported scholarship model.
- Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp: ELCA-affiliated Lutheran outdoor ministry in Colorado offering summer camps and year-round retreats; nearly identical ministry model to Lutheran Lakeside and a prior employer of its Program Manager, providing a directly comparable operating template.
- Kanakuk Kamps: Multi-site Christian summer camp network serving families and youth with overnight programming; comparable as a faith-based camp operator with diversified programming and a large donation/scholarship ecosystem.
- Hume Lake Christian Camps: Large faith-based camp and conference center offering summer camps, year-round retreats, and full-service lodging; comparable in scale of programming, lodging variety, and mission-driven revenue model.
- Sky Ranch: Faith-based outdoor ministry running multiple camp and retreat sites with summer programming, family retreats, and church group accommodations; comparable in mission focus, lodging mix, and demographic reach.
- Park River Bible Camp: Lutheran-affiliated summer camp and retreat center in North Dakota; previously employed Lutheran Lakeside's Camp Director, providing direct comparability on staffing pipelines, programming, and ELCA-aligned ministry operations.
- Briarwood Retreat Center: Christian retreat center offering group hospitality, lodging, and programming; a prior employer of Lutheran Lakeside's Camp Director and structurally aligned on retreat revenue mechanics and church-based sales motion.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association social profiles
Digital presenceLutheran Lakeside Camp Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association
What does Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association do?
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association operates a 110-acre faith-based outdoor and retreat ministry on East Lake Okoboji in Spirit Lake, Iowa. It sells summer and year-round youth camp programs (ages 4-18), group retreat facilitation for churches and organizations, lodging rentals (rustic cabins, modern facilities, RV park), wedding and event venue services through the Lakeside Event Center, birthday party packages, and recreational activities such as disc golf. The organization is funded through program fees, lodging rentals, and charitable donations including a multi-year $3.5 million capital campaign.
Is Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association a public or private company?
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association founded?
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association was founded in 1959. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association based?
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association is headquartered in Spirit Lake, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Camp Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are lodging Rentals, event Center Rental, donations & Grants and birthday Party Packages.
Who are Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are YMCA of the USA (camping programs), Young Life and Kampgrounds of America (KOA). Direct peers are Camp Idan-ha, Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, Kanakuk Kamps, Hume Lake Christian Camps, Sky Ranch, Park River Bible Camp and Briarwood Retreat Center.
Does Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association.
What industry is Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association in?
Lutheran Lakeside Camp Association's product category is Outdoor Camp and Retreat Ministry Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAMAJAJ, Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus), with a secondary code of THAMAJAH, Marina RV & Waterfront Campgrounds. Its NAICS code is 721214 and its SIC code is 7000.