Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc.
Northern Lights Council is a chartered Scouting America regional council serving 5,000+ youth annually across North Dakota, 25 Minnesota counties, and parts of Montana and South Dakota via 14 districts, a 2,000-volunteer network, and a 2,400-acre Camp Wilderness.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersFargo, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. does
Northern Lights Council is a chartered regional council of Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America), headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, and serving approximately 5,000 youth members annually across North Dakota, 25 counties in Minnesota, and portions of Montana and South Dakota. The Council operates through 14 geographic districts supported by roughly 2,000 volunteers, a full-time professional staff, and 55-75 seasonal employees, with a flagship 2,400-acre Camp Wilderness property established in 1946 (Council chartered in 1974).
Programmatic offerings include traditional scouting advancement pathways (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts) and a growing high-adventure specialty catalog featuring SCUBA certification at $470, ATV training at $35, Natural Rock Climbing, OKPIK cold-weather winter camping, and access to the Northern Tier High Adventure Base at $560. Summer resident camp registration runs approximately $400 per Scout. Technology infrastructure relies entirely on the national Scouting America platform stack: Scoutbook for advancement tracking, my.Scouting for adult leader tools, Trail's End for popcorn fundraising, and an online registration system. The Council operates no proprietary technology or data assets.
Revenue is generated through diversified non-profit streams including Friends of Scouting annual giving, Campership scholarships, planned giving/bequests, Trail's End popcorn sales, Scout Shop retail, facility rentals of Camp Wilderness, special events (Sporting Clays tournament, Gala), corporate sponsorships (Butler Machinery, MPLX, Scheels, United Way), and program fees. The Council operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit under the national Scouting America charter, and in 2024 absorbed the territory of Voyageurs Area Council, with the 2025 national rebrand from Boy Scouts of America to Scouting America now being implemented locally.
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc.
- Legal name
- Northern Lights Council, Boy Scouts of America
- Website
- https://scoutingnlc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Northern Lights Council is a chartered Scouting America regional council serving 5,000+ youth annually across North Dakota, 25 Minnesota counties, and parts of Montana and South Dakota via 14 districts, a 2,000-volunteer network, and a 2,400-acre Camp Wilderness.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development & Outdoor Adventure Programs
- NAICS
- Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro industry
- Group Camping & Scout CampsMulti-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports)Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps)
Keywords
Where Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fargo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Friends of Scouting Campaign: Annual giving campaign where businesses, families and individuals invest in youth through the council. Critical portion of funds needed to deliver Scouting programs and activities.
- Trail's End Popcorn Sales: Annual product sales program where Scouting units raise funds through fall popcorn and spring product sales. Units receive proceeds to fund their Scouting programs including camps and registration.
- Camperships and Donations: Financial assistance program where donors contribute to campership fund supporting youth who cannot afford camp fees. Last year invested nearly $6,000.
- Facility Rentals: Rental income from Camp Wilderness cabins, buildings, and properties; Wanzek Scout Center rentals; and other council facilities for both Scout and non-Scout groups.
- Special Events: Revenue from events including Sporting Clays Fun Shoot, Hometown Heroes Gala, and other fundraising events with sponsorship and participation fees.
- Planned Giving and Endowments: Deferred gifts, estate planning provisions, James E. West Fellowship, Second Century Society, and Heritage Society programs for major donor recognition.
- Scout Shop Sales: Retail sales of uniforms, handbooks, camping supplies, awards, and gifts through the Fargo Scout Shop with online ordering and shipping capabilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Scouts BSA Summer Camp - Regular Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Specialty Programs - ATV Program |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Specialty Programs - Natural Rock Climbing |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Specialty Programs - SCUBA Certification |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Specialty Programs - Northern Tier Adventure |
| Other | One time | Campership Fund Donation Impact |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Winter Camp - Food Service Weekend |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Winter Camp - Non-Food Service Weekend |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Cub Scout Adventure Camp |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Trail's End Popcorn Products |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Sporting Clays Event Sponsorship |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Camp Wilderness 3D Maps |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Northern Lights Council delivers Scouting America youth development programs across North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota, and parts of Montana and South Dakota. Its core offering centers on resident summer camps at the 2,400-acre Camp Wilderness and adjacent properties, supplemented by Cub Scout day/adventure camps, weekend and winter camps, and high-adventure treks (Northern Tier, SCUBA, ATV, rock climbing). It also operates a Scout Shop retail store, an annual Trail's End popcorn fundraiser, advancement tracking via Scoutbook, and volunteer training programs (Wood Badge, NYLT).
Product overview
The Northern Lights Council operates as a unified program portfolio of Scouting America, offering a comprehensive youth development ecosystem centered around outdoor adventure camps and programs. The core offering is Camp Wilderness, a 2,400-acre residential summer camp in Minnesota, complemented by additional properties (Heart Butte Scout Reservation, Big 4 Scout Camp, Tom Brantner Memorial Camp, Butler Wilderness Outpost) that serve different age groups and program needs. The product line spans from Cub Scouting (K-5) through Scouts BSA (11-17), Venturing (14-20), and Exploring (10-20), with programming that includes day camps, resident camps, weekend camps, winter camps, and high adventure treks. Supporting the camp programs are add-on services including the Trail's End Popcorn Sale (annual fundraiser), Scout Shop (retail), Scoutbook (advancement tracking), Alumni Association, Advancement & Recognition Services, Training Programs (Wood Badge, NYLT), Facility Rentals, and Financial Assistance/Camperships. The council also organizes National Jamboree participation and sells commemorative merchandise like Jamboree patches and Camp Wilderness bricks. The portfolio is unified by the Scouting America's mission of character development, with all products serving to instilling Scout Oath and Law values in youth.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Northern Lights Alumni Association: Alumni association for former members of the Northern Lights Council and camps
- Northern Lights Eagle Scout Association (NESA)
- Camp Wilderness
- Butler Wilderness Outpost
- Heart Butte Scout Reservation
- Big 4 Scout Camp
Quantifiable outcome
- Last year invested nearly $6,000 in campership program to support youth who could not otherwise afford camp
Companies that use Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- United Way (Multiple Affiliates)coreThe council is a partner agency with multiple United Way affiliates across the region including Basin United Way, Dickinson United Way, Jamestown United Way, Missouri Slope Areawide United Way, Souris Valley United Way, United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties, and United Way of Otter Tail and Wadena Counties. This partnership provides fundraising support and community visibility.
- Scouting America (National Council)coreThe council is chartered by the National Council to administer Scouting programs within its assigned territory covering North Dakota, 25 counties in Minnesota, and 2 counties each in Montana and South Dakota.
- Dakota Medical Foundation, Impact Foundation, Alex Stern FoundationmajorCo-hosts of Giving Hearts Day, a regional giving event that doubles donations through matching funds, helping local causes including the Northern Lights Council reach more youth.
- Capital City Sporting ClaysminorNorth Dakota's premier sporting clays facility in Bismarck that hosts the council's annual Sporting Clays Fun Shoot event.
- Butler Machinery, MPLX, Huettl, Scheels, Runnings (Event Sponsors)minorCorporate sponsors for the Sporting Clays Fun Shoot event providing financial support and promotional visibility.
- Horn Dog MapsminorPartnership to produce custom 80th Anniversary 3D maps of Bad Axe Lake and Camp Wilderness. One-third of every sale goes to Northern Lights Alumni Association to support Camp Wilderness.
- University of Minnesota DuluthminorPartnership for Natural Rock Climbing program at Camp Wilderness where scouts travel to Duluth for rock climbing excursions.
- Northern Tier High Adventure BasemajorPartnership providing Boundary Water Adventure opportunities for scouts. In 2026, Camp Wilderness provided emergency relief support when Northern Tier was evacuated due to wildfires in northeastern Minnesota.
- Trail's EndcoreNational popcorn sales program provider enabling council units to raise funds through annual fall popcorn and spring product sales.
- Chartered OrganizationscoreLocal organizations that charter Scouting units including churches, schools, civic groups, and community organizations that provide meeting spaces, volunteer leaders, and youth referrals.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Camp Fire (formerly Camp Fire USA): National youth-development nonprofit offering camp and outdoor programs with a similar mission to Scouting. Comparable in program structure and reliance on volunteers and donations, though smaller in scale.
- YMCA of the Northern Plains (camping programs): Regional YMCA operating resident camps (e.g., Camp Cormorant) in the same geography. Directly comparable in overnight summer camp offering, youth age range, and family pricing structure.
Direct peers
- Three Harbors Council, Scouting America: Another chartered Scouting America local council serving southeastern Wisconsin with a similar portfolio of camps, districts, and youth programs. Closest operating peer in terms of structure, programs, and revenue mix.
- Voyageurs Area Council (historical): Former Scouting America council whose north-central Minnesota territory was absorbed into Northern Lights Council in 2024. Directly comparable in geography, camp assets, and youth-development mission.
Others
- Dakota Medical Foundation: Co-host of Giving Hearts Day, the council's largest matching-fund donation event. Not a youth-organization peer, but a key fundraising ecosystem partner and comparator for regional nonprofit capacity.
- Summit Bechtel Reserve (BSA National): National Scouting America high-adventure and Jamboree venue. Parent-organization asset that hosts the National Jamboree, in which Northern Lights Council scouts participate and merchandise is sold.
- Northern Tier High Adventure Base (BSA National): National Scouting America high-adventure base in Ely, MN providing Boundary Waters canoe treks. Direct operational partner (shared emergency response in 2025) and capacity-sharing peer for high-adventure programs.
Broad incumbents
- 4-H (National 4-H Council / local cooperatives): USDA-affiliated youth development organization offering outdoor education, camping, and civic service programs. Competes for the same youth, volunteer, and donor pools in rural states like North Dakota.
- Girl Scouts of the USA (local councils): Parallel national youth-development organization with local councils delivering camp programs, badges/awards, cookie fundraising, and outdoor adventure. Operates in the same markets with overlapping donor and volunteer ecosystems.
Regional players
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Plains: Regional Boys & Girls Clubs affiliate operating youth development facilities in the same North Dakota/Minnesota footprint. Competes for after-school programming, volunteer engagement, and corporate sponsorships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceNorthern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. 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 Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc.
What does Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. do?
The Northern Lights Council delivers Scouting America youth development programs across North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota, and parts of Montana and South Dakota. Its core offering centers on resident summer camps at the 2,400-acre Camp Wilderness and adjacent properties, supplemented by Cub Scout day/adventure camps, weekend and winter camps, and high-adventure treks (Northern Tier, SCUBA, ATV, rock climbing). It also operates a Scout Shop retail store, an annual Trail's End popcorn fundraiser, advancement tracking via Scoutbook, and volunteer training programs (Wood Badge, NYLT).
Is Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. a public or private company?
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. founded?
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. was founded in 1974. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. based?
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. is headquartered in Fargo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Friends of Scouting Campaign is the primary driver. The others are trail's End Popcorn Sales, camperships and Donations, facility Rentals, special Events, planned Giving and Endowments and scout Shop Sales.
Who are Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc.'s main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Camp Fire (formerly Camp Fire USA) and YMCA of the Northern Plains (camping programs). Direct peers are Three Harbors Council, Scouting America and Voyageurs Area Council (historical). Others are Dakota Medical Foundation, Summit Bechtel Reserve (BSA National) and Northern Tier High Adventure Base (BSA National). Broad incumbents are 4-H (National 4-H Council / local cooperatives) and Girl Scouts of the USA (local councils). Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Plains is listed as a regional player.
Does Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc..
What industry is Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc. in?
Northern Lights Council Of Boy Scouts Of America, Inc.'s product category is Youth Development & Outdoor Adventure Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGAOAI, Group Camping & Scout Camps, with a secondary code of EDAMALAA, Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports). Its NAICS code is 721214 and its SIC code is 7000.