Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center

What Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center does

Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center is a nonprofit Christian camp and conference center located on a 570-acre property in Westboro, Wisconsin, operating continuously since 1958 under the governance of Forest Springs Ministries. The organization delivers faith-based programming for youth (grades 1–12), families, church groups, school groups, and adults through a portfolio that includes overnight and day youth camps, summer and winter family camps, specialty retreats (marriage, women's, men's, mother-daughter, pastors and Christian workers), outdoor education for schools, adventure trips (canoeing, kayaking, climbing, backpacking, biking, an Alaska Cruise, and a Bighorn Mountains hiking trip), and community events such as Winter Community Days, Christmas Dinner Theatre, and Golden Agers Day. The organization also operates year-round residential programs including Trailhead, a nine-month gap-year discipleship program housed in James Lake and Hillside dormitories, and LTD (Leadership Training and Development) in Forest Lake Apartments.

The underlying asset base is a physical campus with significant capital intensity: a spring-fed James Lake waterfront with certified lifeguards and boating activities; an indoor climbing tower over 42 feet high (claimed among Wisconsin's largest); a two-tiered high ropes course at 30–50 feet; a seven-run downhill ski hill with snow-making, grooming equipment, and free lessons; over 20 kilometers of trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and hiking; lodging across Neale Lodge rooms, standard cabins, lakeside cabins, and an RV park; and a recreation building with indoor climbing wall, basketball, volleyball, and a winter ice rink. The Lakeview Center dining hall and Gustafson Memorial Auditorium (seating 300) support group retreats and conferences, and a Prayer Chapel overlooks James Lake.

The business model is a direct-to-consumer retreat destination generating revenue primarily from per-person and per-unit program fees for overnight stays, day camps, retreats, adventure trips, and outdoor education, supplemented by donations (>$90,000 annually in camper scholarships), donor-supported summer staff ministry, group retreat rentals, and community event admissions. Go-to-market relies on a 75+ partner church referral network across the Midwest, the organization's forestsprings.us website and events.circuitree.com registration platform, phone-based registration (715-436-7378), and direct outreach to families and groups; 120 seasonal summer staff plus year-round professionals deliver programming, and the >75% camper return rate suggests strong customer lifetime value within the faith-based community the organization serves.

Name

Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center

Legal name

Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center

Website

https://forestsprings.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center is a nonprofit Christian camp on a 570-acre Wisconsin campus operating since 1958, serving youth, families, churches, and schools with overnight camps, retreats, adventure trips, outdoor education, and year-round gap-year programming under Forest Springs Ministries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Camp and Conference Center

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (721211)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus) (THAMAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE), Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps) (THAGAOAG)

Keywords

• Christian camp programs
• Conference center rentals
• Youth summer camps
• Family retreat hosting
• Outdoor adventure ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Westboro

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. Youth Camp Fees: Overnight and day camps for youth (grades 1-12) charging per-person fees ranging from $128 for day camps to $599 for week-long teen camps. Includes lodging, meals, activities, and Bible teaching.
2. Family Camp Fees: Family camps charging per-person rates ($151-$349) plus cabin unit rates ($411-$1,302) depending on duration and accommodation type. Includes lodging, all meals, activities, and Bible teaching.
3. Specialty Retreat Fees: Marriage retreats ($408-$592 per couple), women's retreats ($209-$305 per person), men's retreats ($204-$299 per person), and other specialty retreats with per-person or per-couple pricing.
4. Winter Family Camp Fees: Winter family camp with per-person pricing ($151 for age 6+) and cabin rates ($424-$671), including meals and winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, tubing.
5. Adventure Trip Fees: Adventure trips including Alaska cruises ($1,530-$2,125 per person), hiking trips ($700), and day/overnight adventure experiences with varying pricing.
6. Group Retreat Rental Fees: Weekend retreats for groups including housing, meals, meeting rooms, and basic program areas. Custom pricing based on group size and requirements.
7. Outdoor Education Programs: School groups pay for multi-day outdoor education programs with Bible-based curriculum, hands-on nature classes, and activities. Pricing based on program length and group size.
8. Donations and Charitable Support: Donations from individuals, churches, and partners supporting summer staff scholarships, the Woodlands Outpost project ($1.2M goal), and general ministry operations. Over $90,000 in scholarships awarded annually.
9. Donor-Supported Staff Ministry: Supported ministry program where summer staff submit 20 names of supporters who receive letters requesting financial partnership. Support covers staff positions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Forest Springs operates a 570-acre Christian camp and conference center in northcentral Wisconsin, providing overnight youth camps (grades 1-12), summer and winter family camps, specialty retreats (marriage, men's, women's, mother-daughter, pastors), adventure trips, outdoor education for schools, and group retreat rentals. Offerings include lodging, meals, Bible-based programming, and access to recreation facilities such as an indoor climbing tower, ski hill, ropes courses, waterfront, and trail system.

Product overview

Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center is a Christian camp and conference ministry offering a comprehensive portfolio of faith-based programs across multiple product categories. The core offerings include Youth Camps (summer and winter overnight/day camps for grades 1-12), Family Camps (summer and winter multi-day retreats), Adventure Trips (outdoor expeditions including canoeing, hiking, climbing, and biking), and Specialty Retreats (Marriage Retreats, Man Camp, Women's Retreat, Mother-Daughter Retreat, Pastors' Retreat, Hunter Safety). Additional programs include Outdoor Education for school groups, Trailhead gap-year discipleship program, and Community Events (Winter Community Days, Christmas Dinner Theatre, Golden Agers' Day). Accommodations include Lodge Rooms, Standard Cabins, Lakeside Cabins, and RV/Campsites. Facilities encompass Neale Lodge, Lakeview Center, Ministry Center, Prayer Chapel, and various program areas including waterfront, climbing tower, high/low ropes courses, mini-farm, recreation building, trails, and winter sports facilities (ski hill, tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Summer Camps Overnight and day camps for youth grades 1-12 featuring Bible teaching, recreational activities, and faith-based programming during summer months. Programs include First Adventure (Grades 1-3), Kids Quest (Grades 2-5), Junior Camp (Grades 3-6), Take 7 (Grades 6-8), Junior High (Grades 7-9), and SuperHIGH (Grades 9-12).
• Youth Winter Camps Winter youth retreats featuring winter sports activities including skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and Bible teaching sessions. Programs include Wintertainment (Grades 8-12) and Meltdown (Grades 6-9).
• Summer Family Camps Multi-day family retreats offering lodging, meals, Bible teaching, and recreational activities including swimming, boating, canoeing, archery, and high/low ropes courses. Includes holiday weekend camps, 3-day camps, and 6-day camps.
• Winter Family Camp Four-day winter family vacation featuring downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and Bible teaching sessions with lodging options from cabins to lodge rooms.
• Adventure Trips Outdoor adventure excursions including canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, backpacking, and biking trips to locations throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wyoming for youth and adults.
• Marriage Retreats Christian marriage enrichment retreats offering couples time away for relationship-building activities, meaningful conversation, and biblical teaching. Two weekend options with featured speakers Bill & Pam Farrel and Scott & Lisa Mitchell.
• Man Camp Three-day Christian men's retreat featuring brotherhood experiences, Biblical teaching, outdoor activities including paintball, trap shooting, archery, and father-son programming through the IMPACT track.
• Refresh Women's Retreat Christian women's retreat offering Bible teaching, worship, fellowship, and relaxation in a northwoods setting with lodging options including standard cabins and lodge rooms.
• Heart to Heart Mother-Daughter Retreat Weekend mother-daughter retreat focused on growing relationships and deepening faith through worship, biblical teaching, and relationship-building activities.
• Pastors and Christian Workers Retreat Annual retreat for pastors, church staff, and Christian ministry leaders offering refreshment, fellowship, and biblical teaching with featured speaker Joe Stowell.
• Outdoor Education Bible-based educational program offering hands-on nature classes for school groups with topics aligned to classroom curriculum, led by a Nature Education Specialist and including outdoor exploration activities.
• Group Retreats and Conference Rentals Customized retreat experiences for groups including meeting rooms, lodging, meals, and program areas. Staff assists with planning details for church groups, youth groups, and organizations.
• Quiet Retreats Personal retreats for individuals or married couples seeking time away for prayer, fasting, scripture study, or spiritual reflection. Complimentary lodging offered for full-time ministry workers.
• Hunter Safety Weekend Wisconsin DNR-certified hunter education course offering 10+ hours of classroom and hands-on instruction for ages 10+, covering firearm safety and hunting procedures.
• Alaska Cruise Seven-night Alaska cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas departing from Seattle, visiting Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, and Victoria BC with faith-based hosts and programming.
• Trailhead Gap-Year Program Nine-month gap-year discipleship program helping high school graduates plan next steps, gain independence, and develop personal faith before college or workforce, with students living on-site in James Lake and Hillside dorm-style housing.
• Leadership Training and Development (LTD) Program Year-round leadership development program where students live on-site in Forest Lake Apartments, focused on discipleship and leadership formation.

Quantifiable outcome

• >75% camper return rate demonstrating high satisfaction and life-changing experiences
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Christian Camping and Conference Association (CCCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForest Springs is a member of the Christian Camping and Conference Association (CCCA), a professional organization for Christian camps and conference centers. Membership provides networking, best practices sharing, and industry recognition for the organization's camp and retreat ministry.
• 75+ Partner Churches (Midwest)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForest Springs has established relationships with 75+ churches across the Midwest that refer families and youth to camp programs, support scholarships, and send groups for retreats. These church partnerships are foundational to the organization's ministry reach and customer acquisition.
• Oak Forest Retreat & Conference CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOak Forest Retreat & Conference Center in Frederic, WI is a partner location for the Tour de Forest bike ride fundraiser. Riders begin at Oak Forest and finish at Forest Springs, creating a partnership between the two Forest Springs Ministries facilities.
• Arrowhead Bible CampminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArrowhead Bible Camp serves as an overnight stop along the Tour de Forest bike route, hosting riders midway through the 158-mile journey. Partnership creates a network of Christian camps supporting each other's fundraising efforts.
• Royal CaribbeanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorForest Springs charters Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas for the Alaska Cruise 2026, providing a faith-based cruise experience for their community. Royal Caribbean provides the ship, amenities, and cruise infrastructure while Forest Springs provides hosts, speakers, worship, and itinerary leadership.
• Royal Caribbean (Alaska Cruise)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRoyal Caribbean provides the Alaska cruise ship, accommodations, meals, and onboard amenities for Forest Springs' hosted cruise. Forest Springs organizes the faith-based programming, provides hosts and speakers, and curates the excursion experiences.
• White Pass RailroadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe historic White Pass Railroad in Skagway, Alaska is included as a featured excursion in the Alaska Cruise itinerary. This partnership provides Forest Springs cruise guests with a signature Alaska experience.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Outward Bound USA: Outdoor adventure expedition provider with significant overlap to Forest Springs' Adventure Ministries (canoeing, climbing, kayaking, backpacking). Not faith-based but a comparable expedition-style product targeting youth and adults.
• Royal Caribbean: Cruise line partner that charters its Voyager of the Seas ship for Forest Springs' Alaska Cruise; an enabler of Forest Springs' co-branded tour product rather than a competitor, but a relevant ecosystem participant.

Direct peers

• Lutherhaven Ministries: Faith-based camp and retreat center operating year-round family, youth, and outdoor adventure programs in the Midwest and Idaho, matching Forest Springs' ministry-oriented destination-retreat model and multi-generational offering.
• Camp Concordia (Michigan): Michigan Christian camp offering youth and family programming, retreat facilities, and outdoor adventure with a comparable Bible-teaching + adventure-activities product combination and similar Midwest peer demographics.
• Camp Lebanon: Minnesota Christian camp and retreat center offering youth camps, family programming, and group retreats with similar faith-based positioning and Upper-Midwest geography, comparable in size and program mix.
• Pinewood Christian Camp: Faith-based camp operating summer youth programs, family camps, and adventure activities in the upper Midwest with a similar activity-led, lodging-driven product mix and Bible-teaching curriculum.
• Covenant Harbor: Wisconsin-based Christian camp and conference center serving families, youth, and church groups with similar cabin/lodge lodging, adventure programming, and Bible-based curricula—the most direct comparable within Forest Springs' home geography.
• Camp Barakel: Michigan Christian family retreat center providing summer camps, family camps, and adventure activities (climbing, ropes) with a directly comparable model of Bible-based programming and lodging on a defined property.

Broad incumbents

• Young Life: National youth ministry operating multiple camps and adventure programs with similar faith-based youth engagement, but at significantly larger scope, donor base, and geographic reach than Forest Springs.
• Kanakuk Ministries: Larger, established multi-campus Christian youth camp network with deeper programming budgets and broader national brand; overlaps Forest Springs on summer teen programming but operates at materially larger scale and multiple sites.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ForestSprings
• Facebookfacebook.com/campforestsprings
• Instagraminstagram.com/forestsprings
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camp-forest-springs-inc

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 Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center