(eas186) bear creek camp

Name

(eas186) bear creek camp

Legal name

Bear Creek Camp

Website

https://bearcreekcamp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Camp and Retreat Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI), Eco-Camps & Sustainable Camping Retreats (THAGAOAE), Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE)

Keywords

• Youth summer camps
• Outdoor ministry retreats
• Family camp programs
• Environmental education
• Facility rental retreats

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilkes Barre

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Summer Youth Camp Registration: Overnight residential camp programs for youth completing grades 1-12 with tiered pricing structure ranging from subsidized to true cost options, including specialized Try Camp for younger children and whitewater rafting add-on experiences
2. Nature Day Camp: Weekday nature-based day camp programs for ages 5-14 with optional overnight Nature Night Camp add-on for ages 7-12
3. Family Camp Programs: Family retreat programs including Summer Family Camp, Labor Day Family Camp, and Spring Nature Family Retreat with per-person pricing and cabin accommodations
4. Facility Rentals: Year-round facility rentals for groups from mid-August through May, including cabin rentals, meeting spaces, and facilitated programming options
5. Environmental Education Programs: School and group environmental education programs on-site and in schools, with nature-based curriculum aligned to PA Academic Standards
6. Birthday Party Packages: Nature-themed birthday party packages with add-on options including rock wall and high ropes adventure activities
7. Camp Store Merchandise: Online camp store selling merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, blankets, water bottles, and other camp gear
8. Donations and Trailblazers Club: Annual donor program with Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels; monthly sustaining membership options; one-time donations for camperships and capital improvements

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bear Creek Camp is a non-profit outdoor ministry that operates overnight summer camps for youth in grades 1-12, nature day camps for ages 5-14, multi-format family camps, women's and artist's retreats, environmental education programs for schools, birthday party packages, and year-round facility rentals (cabins, meeting spaces, dining hall) on nearly 3,000 acres in the Pocono Mountains. Programs combine spiritual formation, outdoor adventure (high/low ropes, swimming, archery, hiking), and community-building experiences, supported by tiered pricing and campership financial assistance.

Product overview

Bear Creek Camp operates as a multi-program outdoor ministry offering a unified portfolio of camp and retreat experiences centered on spiritual growth, outdoor living, and community development. The core offerings include Summer Camp (overnight residential camp for grades 1-12 with 8 weekly sessions), Nature Day Camp (day camp for ages 5-14 with optional overnight), Family Camp (multi-format family retreats across three seasons), Winter Camp (winter Connect program), Artist's Retreat (artistic retreat week), Women's Retreats (spring and fall), Facility Rentals (year-round group lodging), Environmental Education Programs (school and on-site nature education), Birthday Parties (nature-themed celebrations), and a Camp Store (merchandise). All programs are affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and operate on nearly 3,000 acres in the Pocono Mountains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Camp Overnight residential youth camp for children completing grades 1-12, featuring spiritual growth, outdoor living, small group development, high ropes, low ropes, archery, swimming, boating, hiking, arts & crafts, and sports & games across 8 weekly sessions (5-6 nights each). Tiered pricing Tier A/B/C ranges from $545-$725 (Classic Camp full week) and $370-$540 (Try Camp half week), with optional whitewater rafting add-on ($85). For families and youth seeking faith-based summer camp.
• Nature Day Camp Day camp program for ages 5-14 running Monday through Friday 8:30am to 3:00pm, featuring theme-based nature activities including hiking, archery, low ropes, high ropes, climbing wall, games, swimming, and boating. Optional Nature Night Camp add-on provides overnight experience ($45). For families seeking daytime nature immersion for school-age children.
• Family Camp Intergenerational family retreat program offered in three seasonal formats (Summer, Labor Day, Spring) with per-person pricing and cabin accommodations. Activities include worship, swimming, high ropes, hiking, crafts, and games, with meals provided. Summer Family Camp ranges $180-$355/person full week; Labor Day Family Camp ranges $135-$180/person for 3 nights; Spring Nature Family Retreat ranges $95-$130/person for 2 nights. For families seeking shared nature and faith-based retreat experiences.
• Winter Camp (Winter Connect) Winter weekend camp for grades 4-12 with winter-specific activities, led by college-aged summer staff in Retreat Center and East Site Cabins. 2-night stay with 5 meals. For returning campers seeking year-round engagement with camp friends.
• Artist's Retreat Full-week artistic retreat for visual artists and writers to work in natural environments including lakes, streams, meadows, and woodlands. Offers plein air painting, visual journaling, and workshops such as Book Binding, Embroidered Mandalas, Basketry, and Painting. Hosted by Linda Keck. For creative individuals seeking immersive artistic retreat.
• Women's Retreats Seasonal women's retreat program featuring creative activities, outdoor exploration, high ropes course, and spiritual endeavors. Fall and Spring offerings focus on rest, renewal, personal projects, hiking, and crafts. For women seeking faith-based respite and community.
• Facility Rentals Year-round facility rental service offering lodging and meeting space from single-cabin family rentals to full-site exclusive usage, available mid-August through May. Includes East and South Program Sites with bunk-style cabins, Retreat Center, Retreat House, Dining Hall, and Pavilion, with optional facilitated programming. For groups, churches, and organizations seeking retreat space.
• Environmental Education Programs Hands-on environmental education programs delivered on-site at the Nature Center and in schools, featuring curriculum including A Sense of Discovery, Adaptation Exploration, Aquatic Ecology Study, Incredible Insects, Rock On!, Water Water Everywhere, and Night Hike. Curriculum aligned with PA Academic Standards. For schools, scouts, daycare centers, and educational groups seeking nature-based science learning.
• Birthday Parties Nature-themed 2-hour birthday party packages for children with themes including Incredible Insects, Adaptation Exploration, A Sense of Discovery, and Water Water Everywhere. Base package $275 for up to 20 children; optional Rock Wall ($325) and High Ropes Adventure ($450) add-ons. For families seeking memorable outdoor birthday celebrations for children ages 5-14.
• Camp Store Online merchandise store selling Bear Creek Camp-branded items including t-shirts, hoodies, blankets, sunglasses, water bottles, stickers, and other camp gear via Square marketplace. For camp supporters, families, and alumni.

Quantifiable outcome

• Youth that participate in camp experience are 70% more likely to say being part of a faith community is important to them throughout life
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) - Northeastern and Southeastern Pennsylvania SynodscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBear Creek Camp is a ministry of the Northeastern and Southeastern Pennsylvania Synods of the ELCA. The synods support camp through congregational engagement, promotional material distribution, and representation on the Board of Directors. Churches serve as primary front-line supporters in engaging youth and families for camp participation.
• American Camp Association (ACA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBear Creek Camp maintains voluntary ACA accreditation through ongoing peer review process ensuring facilities, programs, and policies meet rigorous industry standards for health and safety - something only 25% of camps nationwide obtain.
• Lutheran Outdoor MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBear Creek Camp is a sustaining member of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, a global network of Lutheran camps working together to set industry standards and share best practices.
• Reconciling WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBear Creek Camp holds Reconciling in Christ (RIC) designation from Reconciling Works, affirming public welcome and commitment to inclusive practices for LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGWVAS provides limited number of full or partial Nature Camp Scholarships for Bear Creek Camp's Nature Day Camp program, supporting access to environmental education for local youth.
• CampBraincoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline registration platform used by Bear Creek Camp for summer camp, Nature Day Camp, and retreat registrations. Handles payment processing, health form management, and communication with registrants.
• ThriventminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThrivent members can donate Choice Dollars to support Bear Creek Camp. Thrivent Action Teams program provides $250 seed money for volunteer projects at camp.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Camp Concordia: Lutheran (ELCA) year-round retreat and summer youth camp in MI offering similar spiritual/outdoor programming to church and family groups on a multi-acre campus.
• Camp Towanda: Privately operated residential summer camp in Honesdale, PA (also Pocono region) serving youth with multi-activity programming (sports, water, adventure) comparable to Bear Creek's summer camp mix.
• Camp Echo: Year-round retreat and summer camp operation in western PA offering youth, family, and group retreat programming on a multi-acre campus — directly comparable facility-based peer.
• Luther Point Bible Camp: Lutheran Bible camp in WI providing summer youth camp and retreat programming — comparable in scale, faith-anchored GTM, and multi-program structure.
• Camp Geneva: Lutheran (ELCA-affiliated) summer camp and retreat center in WA; comparable faith-anchored, ACA-style residential youth camp with multi-program seasonal cadence.
• Camp Ramah in the Berkshires: Jewish residential summer camp in the Northeast offering multi-activity youth programming with strong denominational feeder network, structurally analogous to Bear Creek's ELCA-anchored model.
• Camp Pinnacle: Residential summer camp in NC serving youth grades 1–10 with multi-activity programming (ropes, water, sports) — comparable operating model and capacity profile.
• Camp Lutherlyn: Lutheran (ELCA-affiliated) outdoor ministry in western PA offering summer camp, retreat, and environmental programming to youth, families, and church groups — the closest denominational twin.

Broad incumbents

• Sky Ranch Christian Camps: Larger multi-site faith-based camp operator across the U.S. offering summer camps, retreats, and outdoor adventure; broader incumbent with overlapping programming and customer segments.
• YMCA of the USA (Camp Programs): National network operating hundreds of residential and day camps serving youth and families; broad incumbent in the same outdoor youth-recreation space with overlapping target market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bearcreekcamp
• Facebookfacebook.com/BearCreekCampOfficialPage
• Instagraminstagram.com/bearcreekcamp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bear-creek-lutheran-camp

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 (eas186) bear creek camp