Christian Camps Inc / Deerfoot Lodge 
The information on this page was last updated 10/16/2025. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Deerfoot Lodge has operated Christian wilderness camps for boys and men since 1930. We now manage properties in the mountains of New York and North Carolina. Our mission is to build godly men within a Christ-centered community through wilderness camping. We offer seasonal residential programs for boys and young men that are highly relational, deeply spiritual, and intentionally challenging, aiming to foster a profound impact on discipleship. Throughout the year, we provide programs on and off our properties for the discipleship of alumni and like-minded men. Participants at Deerfoot Lodge grow in spiritual depth and develop character traits such as resilience, integrity, resourcefulness, and discipline.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Deerfoot Lodge
PO Box 228
134 Deerfoot Lodge Rd
Speculator, NY 12164
Website: deerfoot.org
Phone: 855-447-2267
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 146017995
CEO/President: Ron Mackey
Chairman: Ted Harro
Board size: 12
Founder: Alfred "Dad" Kunz
Ruling year: 1947
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1991
Purpose
Deerfoot calls boys and men to deeper faith and godly living. We foster personal connections, support one another along our journey, and create cherished memories passed down through generations. Our purpose of building godly men remains unchanged since our founding in 1930.
Mission statement
Building godly men in a Christ-centered community through wilderness camping.
Statement of faith
Building godly men in a Christ-centered community through wilderness camping - This mission is born out of our beliefs and it guides our practices. We are a place that openly engages "why" questions and works hard to ensure that we know the reasons behind what we do.
1 The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God comprised of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. It was written under the full inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is the principal revelation of God's character and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. No human words or ideas can be added to the Bible or elevated to a status equal with the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Isaiah 40:8; 2 Peter 1:21)
2 Return of Jesus
We believe in the personal return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the bodily resurrection of the redeemed in Christ to the enjoyment of God forever in His presence, and in the bodily resurrection of the unredeemed to the judgment of God forever apart from His presence. (Matthew 25:46; 1 Corinthians 15:42-55; I Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Revelation 20:5-6;12-15)
3 God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, His only Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; John 1:1-4)
4 Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is both fully God and fully human, and yet without sin. (John 1:1-4; Luke 1:26-38; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15)
5 Mankind
We believe in the unique nature of man as a moral and rational being created by God in His image distinct from all other living creatures, and in the historic fall of man into sin, thereby bringing all humanity under God's condemnation. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12-21)
6 The Cross
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins according to the Scriptures, taking upon himself the judgment I deserved, so that all who believe in Him are justified and sanctified by faith alone through his shed blood. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; Romans 3:23-28; 1 Thessalonians 5:23)
7 Mediator
We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His ascension into Heaven, in His present life as my High Priest, Advocate, and sole Mediator between myself and God the Father, and in His future personal return to judge the world and gather all believers to Himself. (Acts 1:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:12-15; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 24:30)
8 Salvation
We believe in the everlasting salvation of lost and sinful people, and that salvation is the gift of God to man, received only by personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is wholly an act of God's free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human effort. (John 1:12; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-10)
9 Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells and gives life to all believers, enables them to understand the Scriptures, empowers them for godly living, and transforms their character to bear the Fruit of God's Spirit in order to equip them for service and witness. (John 16:7, 13; Galatians 5: 16-24; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:3)
10 The Church
We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers, that all those who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are united as one Church under Him and have a supernatural ability to work together as one body. I believe in the priesthood of all believers, so that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as Lord can approach him directly and pray to him directly in all matters of faith and life. (Ephesians 1:22 - 23; Ephesians 4:15-16; Hebrews 4:14-16)
Donor confidence score
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Transparency grade
A
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Camps/Conference Centers
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1142 of 1435 | 34 of 37 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 686 of 1435 | 21 of 37 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1011 of 1435 | 22 of 37 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1215 of 1436 | 32 of 37 |
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 9% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 2% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 1% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 30% | 32% | 35% | 38% | 47% | 56% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 3% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 70% | 68% | 65% | 62% | 53% | 44% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 81% | 79% | 78% | 79% | 79% | 79% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 95% | 95% | 93% | 94% | 82% | 51% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 76% | 73% | 75% | 65% | 40% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 5% | 5% | 7% | 6% | 18% | 49% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 3% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 3% | 13% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 15% | 18% | 19% | 18% | 17% | 18% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.38 | 0.18 | 0.17 | 0.16 | 0.15 | 0.13 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 3.70 | 5.20 | 5.69 | 5.82 | 6.28 | 3.87 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.56 | 0.93 | 0.97 | 0.94 | 0.96 | 0.51 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 5.45 | 97.81 | 387.42 | 137.86 | 69.57 | 22.24 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.18 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.04 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.37 | 12.83 | 12.38 | 12.71 | 12.35 | 22.40 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 256% | 561% | 588% | 620% | 654% | 747% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $3,981,048 | $3,531,948 | $3,345,946 | $2,820,999 | $4,334,487 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $162,719 | $173,380 | $136,843 | $341,352 | $893,700 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $4,143,767 | $3,705,328 | $3,482,789 | $3,162,351 | $5,228,187 |
| Long-term investments | $3,990,689 | $3,772,924 | $3,186,540 | $2,895,291 | $3,741,462 |
| Fixed assets | $13,402,928 | $13,597,755 | $13,611,937 | $13,797,210 | $10,488,970 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $753,573 |
| Total long-term assets | $17,393,617 | $17,370,679 | $16,798,477 | $16,692,501 | $14,984,005 |
| Total assets | $21,537,384 | $21,076,007 | $20,281,266 | $19,854,852 | $20,212,192 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $42,366 | $9,564 | $25,263 | $45,457 | $235,067 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $42,366 | $9,564 | $25,263 | $45,457 | $235,067 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $42,366 | $9,564 | $25,263 | $45,457 | $235,067 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $18,434,981 | $18,141,932 | $17,308,453 | $16,549,997 | $14,086,854 |
| With donor restrictions | $3,060,037 | $2,924,511 | $2,947,550 | $3,259,398 | $5,890,271 |
| Net assets | $21,495,018 | $21,066,443 | $20,256,003 | $19,809,395 | $19,977,125 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $1,289,704 | $1,353,767 | $1,322,727 | $1,761,285 | $2,932,347 |
| Program service revenue | $2,422,035 | $2,197,033 | $1,962,692 | $1,911,474 | $1,596,585 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $303,016 | $234,663 | $155,895 | $35,643 | $157,756 |
| Other revenue | $13,318 | $50,242 | $29,806 | $0 | $584,528 |
| Total other revenue | $2,738,369 | $2,481,938 | $2,148,393 | $1,947,117 | $2,338,869 |
| Total revenue | $4,028,073 | $3,835,705 | $3,471,120 | $3,708,402 | $5,271,216 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $3,042,685 | $2,791,365 | $2,590,375 | $2,393,853 | $2,119,160 |
| Management and general | $681,506 | $687,300 | $591,173 | $505,746 | $483,028 |
| Fundraising | $110,769 | $104,285 | $83,943 | $128,696 | $72,506 |
| Total expenses | $3,834,960 | $3,582,950 | $3,265,491 | $3,028,295 | $2,674,694 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $193,113 | $252,755 | $205,629 | $680,107 | $2,596,522 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $193,113 | $252,755 | $205,629 | $680,107 | $2,596,522 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Rev Ronald Mackey | Executive Dir. | $149,875 |
| Craig Boronow | Summer Camp Dir. | $149,099 |
| Nicholas Dotti | Summer Camp Dir. | $124,668 |
Compensation data as of: 9/30/2025
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 10/16/2025. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Founded in 1930, Deerfoot initially operated as only a seasonal camp for boys, managed by volunteers and part-time directors until the 1970s. In the early 1980s, Deerfoot Lodge faced a need for stronger leadership. In a bold move, the Board of Directors decided to hire a full-time director to help grow the camp's budget and enrollment. Chief Chuck Geiser took on this role and led with determination. During this period, Deerfoot experienced remarkable growth, demonstrating the ongoing relevance of Dad Kunz's original vision.
In 2004, Chief Chuck officially passed the leadership of Deerfoot to Chief Ron Mackey. Today, the original mission of building godly men continues to thrive at Deerfoot Lodge. The high demand for camp registration underscores the mission's importance, as many sessions reach capacity and create waitlists. In March 2015, after years of prayer and discussion, Chief Ron and the Deerfoot Board began exploring opportunities in the mountains of North Carolina and surrounding areas. Following a successful capital campaign and the full build-out of a new camp, Deerfoot opened its second location in Glenville, NC, in June 2019 without incurring debt.
Today, both Deerfoot Lodge camps-one in New York and the other in North Carolina-are thriving, alongside full-time discipleship programs for men year-round. These initiatives are united in their mission to build godly men within a Christ-centered community through wilderness camping.
For more on Deerfoot's history, visit: https://deerfoot.org/about/history/
Program accomplishments
Needs
Visit: https://deerfoot.org/get-involved/contribute/