Canyonlands Field Institute

What Canyonlands Field Institute does

Canyonlands Field Institute (CFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outdoor education organization founded in 1984 and headquartered in Moab, Utah. It delivers experiential learning programs on the Colorado Plateau, serving K-12 schools, youth, adults, and Indigenous teens through a combination of land-based instruction at its 35-acre Professor Valley Field Camp and multi-day river expeditions on the Colorado, Green, and San Juan rivers. Core products include school programs (curriculum aligned to SEEd and NGSS standards), summer camps, adult adventure seminars, and specialized programs such as the Native Teen Guide in Training Program (NTGIT) and the Youth Desert Access Program (YDAP) for Title I schools.

CFI's GTM is hybrid but predominantly sales-led and mission-driven: direct outreach to schools (especially Title I), community-led summer programming for local families, and direct-to-consumer adult trips that cross-subsidize youth programming. Revenue is a blend of program fees (covering ~65% of actual youth program costs), donations and memberships (starting at $40, with $500+ Plateau Partnership tier), and grants from foundations including George S. Eccles, Union Pacific, Hemingway, Maki, and Val A Browning, plus state funding from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. The operating model is heavily subsidized—100% of schools receive partial or full scholarships, and 2026 summer camps are free for Grand and San Juan County families. Distribution is exclusively regional (Southeastern Utah), delivered through direct enrollment via website and phone, with field camp rentals ($1,250/night base, $35 per additional person) and meal plan add-ons ($60/person) providing secondary revenue. There is no technology platform, software product, or AI component; the offering is fundamentally human-led experiential education.

Name

Canyonlands Field Institute

Legal name

Canyonlands Field Institute

Website

https://cfimoab.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Canyonlands Field Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1984 in Moab, Utah that delivers experiential outdoor education—K-12 school programs, summer camps, adult adventure seminars, and Indigenous youth programs—on the Colorado Plateau via its Professor Valley Field Camp and Colorado, Green, and San Juan river expeditions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education Services

NAICS

Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB)

Keywords

• Outdoor education programs
• Field-based learning
• River expedition trips
• Youth summer camps
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Moab

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Youth Program Fees: Fees charged to schools and youth groups for outdoor educational programs. Standard school fees cover approximately 65% of actual program costs, with the remainder subsidized through grants, donations, and memberships. 100% of schools receive partial or full scholarships.
2. Adult Adventure Seminars: All-inclusive adult river trips and adventure seminars that generate revenue to subsidize youth programs. Trip fees go directly to supporting youth programming.
3. Donations and Memberships: Individual donations starting at $40 for membership, monthly giving program ($5/month), Plateau Partnership at $500+ annually, Legacy Circle planned giving, business sponsorships, and memorial/tribute gifts. Donor Advised Fund contributions accepted.
4. Grants and Fundraising: Funding from grantors including George S. Eccles Foundation, Grand County Outdoor Education Fund, Hemingway Foundation, Larry Miller Foundation, Maki Foundation, Union Pacific Foundation, Val A Browning Foundation, and others. $70,000 fundraised specifically for Native Teen Guide in Training Program annually.
5. Field Camp Rental: Professor Valley Field Camp available for rental for workshops, family reunions, retreats, and educational programs. Group rates per night: $1,250 for up to 20 people, $35 per additional person above 20. Optional meal plans at $60 per person.
6. Summer Camps: Day camps and overnight camps for youth ages 6 through high school. Free for local families in Grand and San Juan County in 2026 thanks to community support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Canyonlands Field Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides multi-day, overnight outdoor education programs combining social-emotional learning with hands-on science curriculum at its Professor Valley Field Camp and on guided river expeditions. Programs are offered for K-12 schools, summer campers ages 6 through high school, adults via all-inclusive adventure seminars, and Indigenous teens through a subsidized Native Teen Guide in Training Program, with scholarships ensuring 100% of schools receive partial or full assistance.

Product overview

Canyonlands Field Institute (CFI) is a non-profit outdoor education organization offering a diverse portfolio of experiential learning programs centered around the Colorado Plateau. The core offerings include School Programs (field camp and river expedition-based outdoor education aligned with SEEd and NGSS standards), Summer Camps (day camps and overnight camps for ages 6 through high school), and Adult Adventure Seminars (all-inclusive trips with educational focus on archaeology, geology, and natural history). Key specialized programs include the Native Teen Guide in Training Program (NTGIT), a fully subsidized Native-led rafting program for Indigenous teens, and the Youth Desert Access Program (YDAP) scholarship initiative. CFI operates the Professor Valley Field Camp as its primary facility, offering glamping-style accommodations, classrooms, and outdoor learning spaces. The organization also runs the FYNE (First Year Naturalist Educator) professional development program for outdoor educators. Programs emphasize connection to self, community, and nature through social-emotional learning, science education, and wilderness skills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School Programs
• Summer Camps
• Adult Adventure Seminars
• Professor Valley Field Camp
• Native Teen Guide in Training Program (NTGIT)
• Summer Camp: Guide in Training
• FYNE Program (First Year Naturalist Educator)
• Youth Desert Access Program (YDAP)
• NOLS Wilderness First Aid Recertification

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of schools receive partial or full scholarships to participate in CFI programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Moonflower Community Co-opminorOthersBusiness sponsor - local co-op supporting CFI community initiatives.
• Stu's Deli, Moab ChevronminorOthersBusiness sponsor - local restaurant providing support for CFI programs.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal land management agency. BLM Moab, Price, San Juan and Dolores Field Offices work with CFI to provide access to public lands for educational programs.
• U.S. Forest Service - Manti-La Sal DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing access to forest lands for CFI educational programs.
• National Park Service (Arches and Canyonlands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partnering to provide access to national park lands for outdoor education experiences.
• University of UtahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership supporting CFI programs and educational initiatives.
• Utah State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership providing academic support and collaboration for CFI educational programming.
• Navajo Mountain ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal government organization partnering with CFI on Native Teen Guide in Training Program and other initiatives serving Indigenous youth.
• Moab Valley Multicultural CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit partnership for community programming and youth outreach initiatives.
• Youth Garden ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit partnership supporting youth development through garden and outdoor programming.
• Moab MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal museum partnership supporting historical and cultural education programming.
• Utah Division of Wildlife ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency supporting wildlife education components of CFI programs.
• Sorrel River RanchminorOthersBusiness sponsor - adventure-driven riverside retreat providing support for CFI youth programs.
• Back of Beyond BooksminorOthersBusiness sponsor - local bookstore supporting CFI through sponsorship.
• Tex's RiverwayscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanoe and kayak rental company operating since 1958. Partner providing river equipment and services for CFI programs.
• Visit Utah / Utah Office of TourismmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerState tourism agency partnered on film project showcasing CFI's educational method and leave no trace ethics on the Upper San Juan River.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): NOLS is a nonprofit outdoor education leader offering wilderness expeditions, wilderness medicine certifications (WFR/WFA), and educator training. Direct competitor in wilderness-based experiential education and the partner through which CFI delivers its WFR recertification courses.
• Outward Bound USA: Outward Bound is a nonprofit experiential education organization running wilderness expeditions, including river-based programs in the American West. Comparable mission, customer base (schools/youth/adults), and outdoor education pedagogy.
• NatureBridge: NatureBridge is a nonprofit environmental education organization operating multi-day residential programs in national parks for K-12 students. Direct peer in field-based science and SEL-aligned outdoor education for Title I and partner schools.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: AMC is a regional outdoor education and recreation nonprofit offering youth programming, camps, and field-based learning. Comparable nonprofit structure, youth/adult programming mix, and environmental education mission.
• Teton Science Schools: Teton Science Schools is a nonprofit field-based education organization in Wyoming offering K-12 overnight programs, summer camps, and educator professional development. Closest peer in geography/setting (mountain West), mission, and program mix.
• IslandWood: IslandWood is a nonprofit outdoor education organization offering overnight school programs, summer camps, and graduate training in environmental education. Comparable operating model with field-camp infrastructure and standards-aligned curriculum.
• National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE): NCOAE is a nonprofit experiential education provider running wilderness expeditions for youth and adults, with curriculum-based and outdoor leadership training. Comparable expedition-style programs and nonprofit outdoor education model.
• Student Conservation Association: SCA is a nonprofit conservation service organization engaging youth in outdoor service, internships, and field programs. Comparable youth-focused mission, federal land partnerships, and conservation education focus.
• Avid4 Adventure: Avid4 Adventure is a private outdoor education provider offering multi-sport summer camps and school programs for K-12. Comparable multi-activity outdoor summer camp and school programming, though for-profit structure differs.

Regional players

• Moab Adventure Center: Moab Adventure Center is a regional outfitter offering river rafting, 4x4, and adventure activities around Moab. Comparable Colorado River trip products and Moab geography but as a commercial outfitter rather than education-focused nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cfimoab
• Facebookfacebook.com/cfimoab
• Instagraminstagram.com/cfimoab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 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 Canyonlands Field Institute