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Camp Fern Legacy

EIN 88-3281650 · Marshall, TX

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CAMP FERN LEGACY'S MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE BOYS & GIRLS TO GROW INTO WELL- BALANCED, SELF-ASSURED YOUNG MEN & WOMEN. CHILDREN LEARN TO VALUE NATURE AND FOLLOW THEIR PASSIONS AND INTERESTS. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IS THE CENTER OF A SUMMER AT CAMP FERN LEGACY. OUR MOTTO IS "GOD FIRST, OTHERS SECOND, I AM THIRD."

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
99
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$62,333, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 58% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $1.3 million spent. CAMP FERN LEGACY OPERATES A RESIDENTIAL SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE YOUTH WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH, OUTDOOR EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND CHARACTER BUILDING IN A SAFE, INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE PROGRAM OFFERS BOTH TWO-WEEK AND FOUR-WEEK SESSIONS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS, EMPHASIZING TEAMWORK, RESPONSIBILITY, AND AGE-APPROPRIATE RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. DURING THE MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR, CAMP FERN LEGACY SERVED 219 CAMPERS, WITH AN OVER 90% RETURN RATE FOR FOUR-WEEK SESSIONS. TWO-WEEK SESSIONS CONSISTENTLY SERVE AS A PIPELINE FOR CAMPERS WHO LATER ENROLL IN THE FOUR- WEEK PROGRAM, SUPPORTING SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT AND LONG-TERM IMPACT. IN ADDITION TO SUMMER PROGRAMMING, CAMP FERN LEGACY EXPANDED ITS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BY HOSTING ITS FIRST ANNUAL FAMILY WEEKEND, STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CAMPER FAMILIES AND PROVIDING MULTIGENERATIONAL CONNECTION TO CAMP TRADITIONS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONTINUED TO ENGAGE ALUMNI THROUGH VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS AND PARTICIPATION IN SUMMER PROGRAMMING. STAFF TRAINING REMAINED A PRIORITY, INCLUDING ON-SITE INSTRUCTION FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, WITH A STRONG EMPHASIS ON ABUSE PREVENTION AND MISCONDUCT TRAINING TO ENSURE CAMPER SAFETY AND STAFF PREPAREDNESS. GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF TIME AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT ENABLED SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM AND FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS. ALL CABINS WERE FULLY OUTFITTED WITH NEW BUNK BEDS, IMPROVING CAMPER COMFORT AND SAFETY. CAMP FERN LEGACY PURCHASED AND NOW OWNS 18 HORSES, ALLOWING FOR THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF ITS EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM. FACILITY UPGRADES INCLUDED ROOF REPLACEMENTS, THE ADDITION OF AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN (UVK) TO SUPPORT THE CAMP'S TRADITIONAL OUTDOOR BREAKFAST PROGRAM, AND THE CARVING AND PAINTING OF A NEW TOTEM POLE DURING THE SUMMER SESSION. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED THE INSTALLATION OF FIBER OPTIC INTERNET AND THE ADDITION OF BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEMS FOR TRAIL LIGHTING TO ILLUMINATE EVACUATION ROUTES DURING POWER OUTAGES. THE ORGANIZATION INITIATED THE PROCESS FOR AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION (ACA) ACCREDITATION, WITH COMPLETION ANTICIPATED IN FALL 2026. PROGRAM STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BY ATTENDING THE NATIONAL ACA CONFERENCE AND ACTIVELY IDENTIFYING BEST PRACTICES AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS. CAMP FERN LEGACY ALSO BEGAN A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO STRENGTHEN OPERATIONS, ENHANCE SAFETY, AND SUPPORT CONTINUOUS PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT. CAMP FERN LEGACY OPERATES A RESIDENTIAL SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE YOUTH WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH, OUTDOOR EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND CHARACTER BUILDING IN A SAFE, INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE PROGRAM OFFERS BOTH TWO-WEEK AND FOUR-WEEK SESSIONS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS, EMPHASIZING TEAMWORK, RESPONSIBILITY, AND AGE-APPROPRIATE RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. DURING THE MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR, CAMP FERN LEGACY SERVED 219 CAMPERS, WITH AN OVER 90% RETURN RATE FOR FOUR-WEEK SESSIONS. TWO-WEEK SESSIONS CONSISTENTLY SERVE AS A PIPELINE FOR CAMPERS WHO LATER ENROLL IN THE FOUR- WEEK PROGRAM, SUPPORTING SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT AND LONG-TERM IMPACT. IN ADDITION TO SUMMER PROGRAMMING, CAMP FERN LEGACY EXPANDED ITS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BY HOSTING ITS FIRST ANNUAL FAMILY WEEKEND, STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CAMPER FAMILIES AND PROVIDING MULTIGENERATIONAL CONNECTION TO CAMP TRADITIONS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONTINUED TO ENGAGE ALUMNI THROUGH VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS AND PARTICIPATION IN SUMMER PROGRAMMING. STAFF TRAINING REMAINED A PRIORITY, INCLUDING ON-SITE INSTRUCTION FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, WITH A STRONG EMPHASIS ON ABUSE PREVENTION AND MISCONDUCT TRAINING TO ENSURE CAMPER SAFETY AND STAFF PREPAREDNESS. GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF TIME AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT ENABLED SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM AND FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS. ALL CABINS WERE FULLY OUTFITTED WITH NEW BUNK BEDS, IMPROVING CAMPER COMFORT AND SAFETY. CAMP FERN LEGACY PURCHASED AND NOW OWNS 18 HORSES, ALLOWING FOR THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF ITS EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM. FACILITY UPGRADES INCLUDED ROOF REPLACEMENTS, THE ADDITION OF AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN (UVK) TO SUPPORT THE CAMP'S TRADITIONAL OUTDOOR BREAKFAST PROGRAM, AND THE CARVING AND PAINTING OF A NEW TOTEM POLE DURING THE SUMMER SESSION. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED THE INSTALLATION OF FIBER OPTIC INTERNET AND THE ADDITION OF BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEMS FOR TRAIL LIGHTING TO ILLUMINATE EVACUATION ROUTES DURING POWER OUTAGES. THE ORGANIZATION INITIATED THE PROCESS FOR AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION (ACA) ACCREDITATION, WITH COMPLETION ANTICIPATED IN FALL 2026. PROGRAM STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BY ATTENDING THE NATIONAL ACA CONFERENCE AND ACTIVELY IDENTIFYING BEST PRACTICES AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS. CAMP FERN LEGACY ALSO BEGAN A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO STRENGTHEN OPERATIONS, ENHANCE SAFETY, AND SUPPORT CONTINUOUS PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2022.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.