Good Earth Village

What Good Earth Village does

Good Earth Village is a 501(c)(3) Christian nonprofit founded in 1969 that operates an outdoor ministry, summer camp, and year-round retreat center on a 500+ acre campus in Spring Valley, in the Southeastern Minnesota blufflands. The organization serves families with children and youth (preschool through grade 12), ELCA and ecumenical church congregations across the region, and adult retreat groups, delivering programs that combine Christian faith formation, outdoor adventure, and community building. Its product portfolio spans tiered overnight youth camps (Trailblazers through Outbacks), specialty programs (Confirmation Camp, Artful Camp, Sportstastic), day programs (Adventurers, Village Kids, Preschool Play Day), a mobile congregational day-camp model, a Leaders in Training pipeline, intergenerational family camps, and year-round retreat and wedding facilities. Digital programming is delivered through Virtual Village, a six-week video-based faith formation series for grades K-9.

The business model is a hybrid of earned and contributed revenue typical of faith-based outdoor ministries. Earned streams include unit-priced camp enrollment, tiered pricing ($40-$635 per session with Tier 1 at true cost, Tiers 2-3 subsidized), congregational day-camp contracts priced per camper count, and facility/lodging rentals. Contributed revenue is generated through the Good Gifts Gala, GoodStock music festival, monthly recurring gifts, one-time donations, employer matching, stock and planned/legacy giving, endowment gifts, and bench dedications at the Three Crosses outdoor worship space. Go-to-market is community-led, driven primarily through a Ministry Partners network of ELCA congregations and pastoral referrals, supplemented by direct-to-consumer registration via the Ultracamp platform, email newsletters, social media, and community events. The organization is ACA accredited, governed by a Board of Directors, and led by Interim Executive Director Dave Herder, who returned to guide a 6-9 month transition while the Board evaluates a permanent successor.

The underlying technology layer is modest: Ultracamp handles online registration, a standard video platform supports Virtual Village, and conventional business software supports operations. There is no proprietary technology product or platform; differentiation rests on the physical campus, ACA-accredited programming, the congregational partner network, and 50+ years of brand heritage in the region.

Name

Good Earth Village

Legal name

Good Earth Village

Website

https://goodearthvillage.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Good Earth Village is a 501(c)(3) Christian nonprofit operating an ACA-accredited summer camp, year-round retreat center, and outdoor ministry on a 500+ acre campus in Spring Valley, Minnesota, serving youth, families, and ELCA congregations across Southeastern Minnesota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Camp and Retreat Services

NAICS

RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Youth summer camps
• Retreat center
• Christian outdoor ministry
• Faith formation programs
• Camp facility rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Spring Valley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Summer Camp Programs: Tiered pricing for overnight and day camps for youth grades K-12. Programs include Trailblazers, Seekers, Stargazers, Voyagers, Confirmation Camp, Artful Camp, Sportstastic Camp, Leaders in Training, and Intergen Family Camp. Revenue varies by program length and tier level chosen by families.
2. Day Camp Hosting: Partnership-based day camp delivery where Good Earth Village sends trained staff to congregations. Pricing based on camper count: $1,950 (0-30), $2,550 (31-40), $3,100 (41-50 campers). Additional staff at $300 each.
3. Facility Rentals and Retreat Hosting: Year-round retreat center offering lodging and meeting spaces for church groups, organizations, and individuals. Accommodations include hotel-style rooms, cabins with private or shared baths, RV and tent camping, and meeting/dining facilities.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Annual giving, monthly recurring donations, one-time gifts, employer matching, stock donations, endowment gifts, and legacy/planned giving. Good Gifts Gala and GoodStock event serve as major annual fundraising initiatives.
5. Specialty Products and Dedication Programs: Bench dedications at Three Crosses outdoor worship space ($1,000-$1,500), gift certificates for camp experiences, and sponsorship opportunities for events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Good Earth Village operates a Christ-centered outdoor ministry on a 500+ acre campus in Spring Valley, Minnesota, delivering youth summer camps (grades K-12), specialty programs (art, sports, confirmation, leadership), day camps delivered at partner congregations, year-round retreat and hospitality facilities for church groups, and digital faith formation content through Virtual Village. Programs combine nature immersion, Christian faith formation, and community building with tiered pricing for financial accessibility.

Product overview

Good Earth Village is a Christ-centered outdoor ministry and camp offering a diverse portfolio of youth programs and family experiences. The core offerings include overnight youth camps spanning grades 1-12 (Trailblazers through Outbacks), specialty camps (Artful Camp, Sportstastic, Confirmation, Leaders in Training), and day programs (Adventurers, Village Kids). The organization also operates a mobile Day Camp program for congregations, provides year-round retreat facilities for churches and organizations, and offers digital programming through Virtual Village. Programs are designed around tiered pricing to ensure accessibility, with offerings ranging from single-day experiences to multi-week immersive camps.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trailblazers Overnight Camp A gentle introduction to overnight camp for children completing grades 1-2, offering a one-night, two-day experience in the air-conditioned Log Lodge with nature trails, Bible study, games, and campfire activities.
• Discover Camp A multi-night adventure camp for children completing grades 2-4, staying in Log Lodge with crafts, hiking, water activities, Bible study, and campfire cookouts.
• Seekers Overnight Camp A week-long overnight camp for children completing grades 3-4, staying in Hilltop cabins with Bible study, worship, arts and crafts, nature activities, and swimming at the local pool.
• Stargazers Overnight Camp A week-long summer camp for grades 5-6 with classic outdoor ministry experiences including campfire cooking, camp songs, creek-splashing, canoeing, nature discovery, and hiking adventures.
• Voyagers Adventure Camp A week-long adventure camp for grades 7-9 featuring hiking to Bat Cave, team-building, canoeing, campfire worship, and overnight camping experiences at Voyagers Landing.
• Outbacks High Adventure Camp An advanced backcountry-style adventure camp for grades 9-12 featuring overnight camping, wilderness skills, Base Camp at Fort Snelling, rock climbing, archery, and team-building activities.
• Confirmation Camp A week-long faith formation camp for grades 6-10 coordinated with churches, featuring outdoor adventure, worship, team-building, canoeing, and campfire experiences in Hilltop or Main Street cabins.
• Artful Camp I A creative summer camp for grades 4-6 exploring faith through visual arts, poetry, photography, and nature with guest artists and hands-on activities.
• Artful Camp II An advanced creative camp for grades 7-10 where creativity becomes a spiritual journey through reflection, imagination, and deep exploration of encountering God through art.
• Sportstastic Camp A sports-focused camp for grades 3-6 combining teamwork, sports (volleyball and soccer), and spiritual growth with professional coaching and Christian community.
• Leaders in Training (LIT) A multi-week leadership development program for grades 10-12 combining training in youth ministry, outdoor living, and mentoring with shadowing opportunities alongside experienced summer staff.
• Adventurers Day Camp A one-day faith-filled camp experience for grades K-4 featuring themed activities, Bible stories, games, crafts, and water play.
• Village Kids Week-Long Day Camp A week-long day camp for children completing grades K-4 with worship, Bible study, water games, hiking, campfire cookouts, music, crafts, and optional transportation from Rochester, Stewartville, Austin, and Grand Meadow.
• Congregational Day Camp Hosting A mobile day camp program that brings the camp experience to congregations, with trained GEV staff leading a week of songs, Bible study, worship, crafts, and games at host churches. Priced per camper count tier.
• Preschool Play Day A special day experience for children ages 3-5 with an adult, featuring Bible stories, camp songs, outdoor games, worship, lunch, water activities, and nature exploration.
• Intergen Family Camp A weekend family camp experience for all ages with intergenerational games, crafts, campfire cookouts, canoeing, Bible studies, worship, and flexible scheduling for families.
• Retreat and Hospitality Facilities Year-round retreat center offering overnight lodging (cabins, lodge rooms, RV/tent camping), meeting rooms, and dining services for church groups, organizations, and individuals seeking spiritual growth and team building.
• Virtual Village Digital Faith Formation An online faith formation series with 6 themed weeks (Faith, Peace, Openness, Friendship, Community, Service) providing video content for grades K-9 for use at home or in congregations, with downloadable recipes, nature activities, and leader guides.

Quantifiable outcome

• ACA accreditation ensures safety and programming standards
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Member Congregations (Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Earth Village operates in partnership with ELCA congregations throughout Southeastern Minnesota. Churches serve as ministry partners, promotional channels, day camp hosts, and confirmation camp registration conduits. The organization provides resources, promotional materials, and program information to support congregation youth ministries.
• ELCA Foundation (Tharan Leopold, Regional Gift Planner)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Gift Planner from SE MN Synod ELCA Foundation provides planned giving and endowment support services to Good Earth Village, helping sustain long-term ministry through legacy gifts and endowment management.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center: A well-established Methodist retreat and conference center offering summer youth programs, adult retreats, and group lodging — a broader-scope analog in the religious retreat and recreation category.
• Montreat Conference Center: A larger Presbyterian-affiliated retreat and conference center in North Carolina providing overnight lodging, summer youth conferences, and year-round adult retreats on a large wooded campus.
• Camp Ridgecrest / LifeWay Camps: Network of faith-based summer camps and conference centers serving youth and adult retreats across multiple states, sharing the outdoor ministry plus retreat-center revenue mix at greater scale.

Emerging players

• Thousand Hills Christian Resources: A smaller faith-based outdoor ministry offering retreat-style programming and youth ministry events, comparable in faith-formation mission and reliance on partner churches for enrollment.

Direct peers

• Camp Onomia: Minnesota-based Christian camp with similar overnight youth programs, family camps, and retreat hosting, targeting faith formation and outdoor ministry in the same regional market.
• Lutheran Lakeside Ministries: A faith-based camp and retreat center offering youth camps, family programs, and adult retreats in the upper Midwest, structurally similar in ministry mission and summer-overnight-plus-retreat model.
• Camp Luther: A Lutheran-affiliated summer camp and retreat center in Minnesota offering similar faith-based overnight camps, day camps, and family programming on a comparable multi-acre wooded campus.
• Covenant Harbor Bible Camp: Wisconsin-based Covenant church camp running youth summer programs and year-round retreats, with a comparable camp-and-retreat ministry model and faith-based outdoor programming.

Regional players

• Camp Restore Detroit: A faith-based nonprofit operating youth camps and mission-driven outdoor programs in a different region, comparable in mission, faith-based overnight camps, and nonprofit operational structure.

Others

• Ultracamp: The online registration platform Good Earth Village itself uses, representing a technology/infrastructure peer that other camp operators also leverage — useful as an ecosystem comparability rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/good-earth-village

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 Good Earth Village