Camp Fire
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Camp Fire First Texas invests in North Texas communities by providing out-of-school time and outdoor learning programs for children and youth while also offering workforce development programs for early childhood educators. We envision a community in which every child has equitable access to the learning opportunities they need to succeed and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
- Income
- $6.8 million
- Spending
- $7.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 45%
- Employees
- 198
- Volunteers
- 215
- Highest pay
- $183,976, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1.8 million spent. Outdoor Programs:Camp El Tesoro offers overnight summer camp, day camp, school-age outdoor learning days, family camping, camp rentals and retreats. Our Texas Outdoor Education Center at El Tesoro is an outdoor laboratory where students and teachers can combine their efforts and expertise to learn about and care for the natural environment. Knowledge gained through hands-on outdoor learning activities and applications set the stage for a lifelong commitment to protect our environment and create solutions to the environmental challenges that arise.El Tesoro overnight camps provide an immersive experience for campers to explore the outdoors, make new friends and awaken their sense of adventure. Intentional moments at camp encourage youth to step out of their comfort zone, try something new and find more.Camp El Tesoro Nature Day Camp provides interactive, outdoor adventures that encourage children to flex their minds and muscles. Unique weekly focus areas allow campers to discover our world from the natural (trees, bugs, bones and rocks) to the celestial (solar system) and ecological (recycling, going green). Art, science and good-old-fashioned exploration will fill mornings while afternoons are a mix of swimming and adventure with archery, horseback riding, canoeing and more.El Tesoro de la Vida, a week-long resident grief camp for children ages 7-17, helps children learn the skills to cope with loss and grief alongside their peers. The program consists of 90% traditional camping activities such as horseback riding, archery, canoeing, hiking, nature study, swimming, crafts, sports and games. The other 10% of activities are structured to help children through the natural grieving process. Certified professional counselors lead small group sessions and are always on-site to provide counseling and support.
- $1.6 million spent. Youth Development Programs:Camp Fire First Texas offers youth programs serving children from ages 4-17 years, including afterschool programs, teen programs, all-day summer camps and school break programs. Through TEKs based curriculum, STEM focused activities, tinker spaces and meaningful adult interaction, youth are encouraged to explore their interests in a project-based approach. Additionally, each site provides homework assistance and dedicated time for outdoor exploration.Camp Fire's Teens in Action program provides year-round support to middle and high school students to remain actively engaged in school, graduate and prepare for a promising future. Teens in Action combines small group meetings, college and career site visits, field trips, community volunteering and mentoring to promote commitment and follow through and inspire vision for the future. The program boosts confidence, builds self-esteem and develops leadership skills. Youth are encouraged to reach for their dreams despite lifes circumstances and ultimately become adults who build society and give back to the community.
- $1.5 million spent. Early Education Workforce Development Programs:Camp Fire First Texas provides professional career development workshops, courses and conferences for directors, owners and teachers working in childcare centers and family home childcare programs across Texas. These learning opportunities provide professional development, skill advancement and networking. Courses are high-quality and led by registered early childhood instructors in-person and virtually. The Camp Fire First Texas Early Education Apprenticeship Program (EEAP) is an educational and career pathway building program. The first U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for early educators in the State of Texas, the EEAP includes paid on-the-job-learning, coupled with educational courses and one-on-one coaching in the classroom from a Camp Fire mentor.In 2023, Camp Fire launched three new EEAP programs: pre-apprenticeship for high school students with the Northwest ISD and part-time early childhood educators; Early Childhood Educator II (ECEII), equivalent to an associate degree; and Early Childhood Educator III (ECEIII), equivalent to a bachelor's degree. In 2024, Camp Fire launched a director track, Early Childhood Educator (Leader) (ECE-L).School Readiness Program (SR). Camp Fire's School Readiness Program helps make the most of a child's earliest years when 90% of brain development takes place by providing on-site mentoring, professional development and educational materials to early education programs in the Fort Worth ISD. The program improves childcare teachers understanding of child growth and development. This enables them to provide an environment and teaching that encourages childrens skill development, builds literacy skills and increases interactions between the programs with local schools to support childrens preparation for kindergarten.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.