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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Sep. 30, 2011
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName Conestoga Funds
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0001175813
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Feb. 01, 2012
Conestoga Small Cap Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The Conestoga Small Cap Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Conestoga Small Cap Fund:
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investments)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year (ending Sept 30, 2011) the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 18.03% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 18.03%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Conestoga Small Cap Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated (the Example for one year reflects the contractual expense limitation described above; the amounts for the other years reflect the Fund’s gross expenses) and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, under these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of small-cap companies.  Equity securities include ADRs, convertible securities, foreign and domestic common and preferred stocks, rights and warrants.  While there is no limit on investing in foreign securities, the Fund doesn’t expect investment in foreign securities to exceed 20% of the Fund’s total assets.  “Small-cap companies” are companies that, at the time of purchase, have market capitalizations of up to $2.5 billion.  The Fund will not change this policy unless it notifies shareholders at least 60 days in advance.  For purposes of this policy, “net assets” includes any borrowings for investment purposes. The Adviser follows an investment style sometimes called “GARP” or “Growth At a Reasonable Price.”  The Adviser generally invests the Fund’s assets in small-cap companies with expected earnings growth that exceed that of the average of all U.S. publicly traded companies, where valuations seem reasonable compared to the expected earnings growth, where fundamental financial characteristics appear to be strong, where (in the Adviser’s opinion) the business model offers sustainable competitive advantage, and where management has an important ownership stake in the company.  The Adviser uses a bottom-up approach in selecting securities.  There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objective.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

You may lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the following principal risks, more fully described in “Risks Factors” in this prospectus. The Fund’s net asset value and total return may be adversely affected if any of the following occurs:

 

* The market values of securities acquired by the Fund decline;

* The Adviser does not execute the Fund’s principal investment strategies effectively;

 

* A security’s price fluctuates in response to events affecting the issuer’s profitability or viability;

* Smaller, less seasoned companies lose market share or profits to a greater extent than larger, established companies in times of deteriorating economic conditions;

 

* A company’s earnings do not increase as expected;

* Foreign securities markets may be more volatile and subject to less governmental supervision than their counterparts in the U.S. Foreign securities are subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

By itself, the Fund does not constitute a complete investment plan and should be considered a long-term investment for investors who can afford to weather changes in the value of their investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney You may lose money by investing in the Fund
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for one year, five year and since the Fund’s inception compare with those of broad measures of market performance.   Past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website: www.conestogacapital.com/mutual fund.htm
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.conestogacapital.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture .   Past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Return
Annual Return 2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 33.68%
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 18.81%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 4.39%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 9.45%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 6.43%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (27.35%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 29.09%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 23.99%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 4.55%
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the period shown in the chart, the Fund’s best performing quarter was for the three months ended 06/30/2009: 19.10 %. During the same period, the Fund’s worst performing quarter was for the three months ended 12/31/2008: -21.51%.

Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel best performing quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 19.10%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel worst performing quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (21.51%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns

as of 12/31/11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate The after-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders investing through tax-deferred programs
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock

This table compares the Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2011 to those of the Russell 2000 Index and the Russell 2000 Growth Index.  The after-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates.  These after-tax returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable state or local taxes.  Your after-tax returns may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders investing through tax-deferred programs such as an IRA plan.  Future results may be different from those shown.
Conestoga Small Cap Fund | Comparison Index - Russell 2000 Index (the performance information for this index reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.18%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.15%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.27% [5]
Conestoga Small Cap Fund | Comparison Index - Russell 2000 Growth Index (the performance information for this index reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.91%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.09%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.72% [5]
Conestoga Small Cap Fund | Conestoga Small Cap Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.20%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (the Adviser pays all Fund expenses except Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder servicing fees, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, expenses of Independent Trustees, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund's business) rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.07% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.27%
Fee Waiver rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.17%) [3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.10%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 112
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 386
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 681
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,519
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.55%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.28%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.23% [5]
Conestoga Small Cap Fund | Conestoga Small Cap Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.75%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.96%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.99% [5]
Conestoga Small Cap Fund | Conestoga Small Cap Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.96%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.39%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.00% [5]
Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund.  You may qualify for Sales Charge Waivers if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund.  More information about these waivers and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the section “Sales Charge Waivers” on page 18 of the Fund’s prospectus.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) 1
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 25.93% of the average portfolio value.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 25.93%
Expense Footnotes [Text Block] rr_ExpenseFootnotesTextBlock

1You may be charged additional fees if you buy, exchange, or sell shares through a broker or agent.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated (the Example for one year reflects the contractual expense limitation described above; the amounts for the other years reflect the Fund’s gross expenses).  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, under these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities of large-capitalization companies (generally, companies in the $5 billion and more capitalization range of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500 Index”)).  The Fund will not change this policy unless it notifies shareholders at least 60 days in advance. Equity securities include convertible securities and domestic common stocks, among other things.

 

The Adviser’s style can best be described as a long-term, disciplined investment approach aimed at providing clients with strong returns, but which is absent of leverage, aggressive or untested techniques, and market timing. The Adviser focuses on providing superior investment performance along with reduced volatility, offering disciplined proprietary investment strategies, while maintaining broad sector and portfolio diversification.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

You may lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the following principal risks, more fully described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors”. The Fund’s net asset value and total returns may be adversely affected if any of the following occurs:

o  The market values of securities acquired by the Fund decline.

o  Large capitalization securities underperform other segments of the equity market or equity markets as a whole.

o  The Adviser does not execute the Fund’s principal investment strategies effectively.

o  Security prices fluctuate in response to events affecting an issuer’s profitability or viability.

o  There is no assurance that large companies can withstand serious deterioration during periods of severe economic distress.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of National Penn Bank or any of its affiliates and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency.

 

By itself, the Fund does not constitute a complete investment plan and should be considered a long-term investment for investors who can afford to weather changes in the value of their investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney You may lose money by investing in the Fund
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for one year, five year, ten year, and since the Fund’s inception compare with those of broad measures of market performance.   Past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website: www.ialfx.com.

 

On March 31, 2009 the National Penn ITC (“NPITC”) Equity Fund, a collective investment fund, was converted to the Fund.  The information below, for periods prior to March 31, 2009, includes the past performance of the NPITC Equity Fund, a separate account managed by Institutional Advisors, a business unit of National Penn Investors Trust Company, the predecessor investment entity to the Adviser in a fashion that is in all material respects equivalent to the management of the Fund.  The data below reflects NPITC Equity Fund’s performance information over a period before the Fund’s registration statement became effective; the relevant account was not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and therefore was not subject to certain investment restrictions that are imposed by the 1940 Act; and if the relevant account was registered under the 1940 Act, its performance may have been adversely affected.  The prior performance has been restated to reflect the imposition of the total expenses of the Fund for its initial fiscal year rather than the actual expenses of the NPITC Equity Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.ialfx.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading

Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund

(Formerly NPITC Equity Fund)

Calendar Year Total Return*
Annual Return 2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (21.61%)
Annual Return 2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 26.51%
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 5.63%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 5.43%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 13.73%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 9.83%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (29.89%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 19.60%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 14.42%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 1.70%
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

* Sales loads are not reflected in the bar chart.  If these amounts were reflected returns would be less than those shown.

 

 

During the period shown in the chart, the Fund’s best performing quarter was for the three months ended December 31, 2003: 26.51%. During the same period, the Fund’s worst performing quarter was for the three months ended December 31, 2008: -29.89%.

Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel best performing quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2003
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 26.51%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel worst performing quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (29.89%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns

as of 12/31/2011
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate after-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders investing through tax-deferred programs
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock

In the following table, after-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates.  These after-tax returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable state or local taxes.  Your after-tax returns may differ from those shown.  After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders investing through tax-deferred programs such as an IRA plan.   Future results may be different from those shown.
Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund | Comparison Index - S&P 500 Index (the performance information for this index reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.11%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 20.49% [4]
Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund | Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the lower of purchase or sale price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 0.75%
Maximum Sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends (as a percentage of purchase price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption fees rr_RedemptionFee none
Exchange fees rr_ExchangeFee none
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.01%
Other Expenses (the Adviser pays all Fund expenses except Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder servicing fees, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, expenses of Independent Trustees, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund's business) rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.16% [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.87%
Fee Waiver rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.52%) [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.35%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 680
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,058
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,460
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,580
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.70%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.97% [4]
Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund | Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.30%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.54% [4]
Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund | Institutional Advisors LargeCap Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.37%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.44% [4]
[1] Institutional Advisors LLC (the "Adviser") has contractually agreed to limit the Fund's net annual operating expenses to 1.35% of the Fund's average daily net assets until at least February 1, 2013, subject to termination at any time at the option of the Fund.
[2] In addition, although the Fund has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan that will allow the Fund to pay an annual fee of up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets for providing services to the Fund's shareholders, the Fund does not expect to pay any Shareholder Servicing Fees in the current fiscal year.
[3] Conestoga Capital Advisors, LLC (the Adviser) has contractually agreed to limit the Fund's net annual operating expenses to 1.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets until at least February 1, 2013, subject to termination at any time at the option of the Fund.
[4] Fund Inception Date 3/31/2009
[5] Fund Inception Date 10/1/2002