NAICS 721214 Quarterly Industry Report
Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds)
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 721214Sector: Accommodation and Food Services (72)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Recreational and Vacation Camps (NAICS 721214) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[6], Bureau of Labor Statistics[9], American Camp Association[8], and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, recreation industry analysts, and business brokers with current market data. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the recreational and vacation camps (except campgrounds) industry.
NAICS Sector
72
Accommodation and Food Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (NAICS 721214) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in operating overnight recreational camps such as children's camps, family vacation camps, hunting and fishing camps, and outdoor adventure retreats per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. These operations provide accommodation facilities including cabins and fixed campsites along with amenities such as food services, recreational equipment, and organized activity programs.
The Census Bureau[6] counts roughly 5,302 active businesses employing 27,138 workers. Industry revenue reached an estimated $50.9 billion globally in 2025. Median business sale prices for camp properties hover around $1.35 million, with median annual revenue near $372,000 and owner earnings near $152,500 per industry transaction data. Most camps operate seasonally with summer as the primary revenue period, though many have diversified into fall, winter, and spring programming including corporate retreats and team-building events.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $9 million in average annual receipts. State health department licensing requirements apply in most jurisdictions, covering fire protection, food service, sleeping quarters, and transportation safety standards. The American Camp Association[8] offers voluntary accreditation that exceeds minimum state licensing requirements and serves as a widely recognized quality benchmark for families and institutional buyers carefully evaluating camp acquisitions.
What's Included in This Industry
- Overnight cabin and lodge accommodation for campers and staff
- Organized recreational activity programming including sports and outdoor adventures
- Food service and meal preparation for registered camp participants
- Waterfront activities including swimming, boating, and fishing programs
- Trail riding, hiking, and nature exploration guided programs
- Arts and crafts, performing arts, and creative programming
- Staff recruitment, training, and seasonal housing management
- Facility maintenance for cabins, dining halls, and recreational buildings
- Corporate retreat and team-building event hosting services
- Transportation coordination for camper arrival and departure logistics
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Accommodation and Food Services | 72 |
| Subsector | Accommodation | 721 |
| Industry Group | RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps | 7212 |
| NAICS Industry | RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps | 72121 |
| National Industry | Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) | 721214 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 721211 | RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds | RV Parks and Campgrounds offer similar outdoor accommodation without the structured activity programming that distinguishes recreational camps from self-service camping destinations |
| 721110 | Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels | Hotels and Motels compete for family vacation spending, though camps target a distinct market segment seeking outdoor experiences and organized recreational programming over traditional lodging |
| 721199 | All Other Traveler Accommodation | All Other Traveler Accommodation includes cabins and vacation rentals that compete for outdoor recreation vacation budgets, particularly family properties in resort and lake communities |
| 713990 | All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries include outdoor recreation providers whose activity offerings overlap with camp programming, from zip lines and rock climbing to nature education centers |
| 611610 | Fine Arts Schools | Fine Arts Schools include summer arts programs that compete for the same children's camp market with specialized music, theater, and visual arts residential programming |
| 721310 | Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps | Rooming and Boarding Houses provide alternative group accommodation for seasonal workers and students, sharing similar communal housing management requirements with camp staff housing operations |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 7.3% | 220 |
| 2 | Texas | 6.2% | 184 |
| 3 | New York | 6.1% | 182 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 5.4% | 162 |
| 5 | Alaska | 4.5% | 136 |
| 6 | Maine | 4.1% | 124 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 3.7% | 110 |
| 8 | Michigan | 3.5% | 105 |
| 9 | Colorado | 3.3% | 100 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 3.2% | 96 |
% Of Establishments
0%
7%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
104
Total SBA Loans
$67.2M
Total Loan Volume
$647K
Average Loan Size
16 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.90%
Average Interest Rate
1,424
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Recreational and Vacation Camps (NAICS 721214) has a size standard of $9 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. Most camp operations fall below this threshold, making them eligible for SBA-backed financing[10] including 7(a) loans commonly used for property acquisition, facility renovation, and seasonal working capital needs. Additionally, 504/CDC loans[11] provide long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets such as real estate and equipment.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Bancorp Bank National Association | 8 | $15.2M | $1.9M |
| 2 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 8 | $14.3M | $1.8M |
| 3 | VelocitySBA, LLC | 8 | $12.5M | $1.6M |
| 4 | Northwest Bank | 8 | $9.2M | $1.1M |
| 5 | Dogwood State Bank | 8 | $5.1M | $637K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 721214?
NAICS 721214 covers establishments operating overnight recreational camps including children's camps, family vacation camps, hunting and fishing camps, and outdoor adventure retreats per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Instructional camps focused on sports, fine arts, or computers are classified under Educational Services. Children's day camps without overnight accommodation are classified separately under NAICS 713990.
How large is the U.S. recreational camp industry?
The Census Bureau[6] counts roughly 5,302 active businesses employing 27,138 workers. Camp operations range from small family-run properties with a few cabins to large multi-hundred-acre facilities serving thousands of campers per season. Summer camps for children represent the largest segment, with hunting and fishing camps and family vacation camps accounting for meaningful market share.
What are typical camp business valuations and owner earnings?
Industry transaction data shows median business sale prices around $1.35 million, with median annual revenue of approximately $372,000 and owner earnings near $152,500. Valuations typically use the income approach with cap rates of 8 to 10 percent, adjusted for seasonal cash flow patterns and property condition. Camp valuations also reflect real estate values of the underlying land and improvements, which can represent a substantial portion of the total transaction price.
What is the SBA size standard for recreational camps?
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $9 million in average annual receipts calculated over the preceding five fiscal years. Most camp operations fall well below this threshold, qualifying for SBA-backed financing including 7(a) loans for property acquisition, facility renovation, and seasonal working capital to cover off-season fixed costs.
How does seasonality affect camp business operations?
Most recreational camps operate primarily during summer months, creating concentrated revenue periods and off-season cash flow gaps. Successful operators diversify into shoulder-season programming including corporate retreats, school group rentals, family reunion weekends, and holiday camps per industry practice. Year-round operations in warm-climate states or camps with winter sports access achieve more stable revenue profiles than summer-only operations.
What licensing and accreditation requirements apply to camps?
Most states require camps to obtain health department licenses covering fire protection, food service, sleeping quarters, and transportation safety per the American Camp Association[12]. Requirements vary by state, with some jurisdictions exempting publicly operated or school-district camps. Voluntary ACA accreditation exceeds minimum standards and serves as a quality benchmark that can affect enrollment and property valuations.
What are the key operational risks in camp acquisitions?
Staff recruitment and retention create ongoing challenges given the seasonal workforce model, particularly for specialized activity instructors. Aging facility infrastructure requires capital investment for cabins, dining halls, and recreational buildings. Liability exposure from camper activities demands strong insurance coverage and safety protocols per SBA risk management guidance[13]. Reputation and customer retention rates should be thoroughly evaluated during due diligence.
What revenue diversification strategies improve camp profitability?
Beyond core summer camp programming, operators generate supplemental revenue from corporate retreat hosting, school and church group rentals, wedding and event venue services, and equipment rental per industry benchmarking data. Adding glamping units, upgraded cabin accommodations, and premium dining options appeals to family vacation segments willing to pay higher rates. Winter programming in cold-climate states and off-season facility rentals can reduce the revenue concentration risk inherent in summer-only operations.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]American Camp Association acacamps.org
- [9]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [10]SBA-backed financing sba.gov
- [11]504/CDC loans sba.gov
- [12]American Camp Association acacamps.org
- [13]SBA risk management guidance sba.gov
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