Summer camp can be one of the biggest experiences in a child’s life. For a few hours a day to a whole summer you child can learn the ropes of camping, canoe on a lake or even go to a camp that specializes in one of their interest like that computers or theaters. It is certainly hard to pass up a great experience like this, but money can be a huge deciding factor in whether or not your child goes. Summer camp can run you thousands, but these ten tips can help you get your children enrolled in a great camp so their summer will be nothing less than spectacular.
1. Book/Pay Early
It is always wise to start thinking about summer camp in the beginning of the year. Most summer camps take early enrollment, so begin your search to find the perfect camp in January. Once you and your child know where they want to spend the summer keep an eye on the booking day. A lot of camps will be open for booking right after camp ends, so try to be early so you can ensure that your child has a slot in the summer camp the two of you decide on. If you decide to pay early you might be privy to a lot of discounts that some of the later campers might not get. This is a great incentive for camps to get people to book early, which helps make their planning job a lot easier. Although you can probably enroll your child a lot closer to the camp date, you may end up paying lay fees or speedy registration fees that you could have avoided by shopping around earlier. Booking earlier might also allow you to make payments instead of having to pay a huge lump sum.
2. Apply for Financial Assistance
A lot of camps can offer you an assistance program if you are having a hard time coming up with the money. This might require you to divulge information about your paydays, or taxes but is definitely worth it when it comes to ensuring your child can enjoy a great summer at camp. If you qualify for food assistance programs with your local school then there is a pretty good chance that you will be able to get a little help with the camp cost. You might only see a reduction in the food prices, but every little bit helps. A lot of camps will also offer grants to children who can not completely afford the program, so make sure you have your child’s report cards and a letter why they want to go to the particular camp so you can increase your chances of getting into the perfect camp.
3. Book All Kids
If you have more than one child then you might want to have the kids settle on one camp to go. This might take a lot coaxing and long conversations, but deciding on the perfect camp for all siblings can really help your kids develop compromising skills. This is important because a lot of camps will give you a sibling discount if you have more than one child enrolling in their camp. Sending all of the children to camp can also save you money in one other way. Although the kids might fight like crazy in the home, when you send them to camp they will automatically have a support system that they can count on. This will ensure that your children won’t end up wanting to come home early, so you won’t have to have wasted camper fares.
4. Shorter Sessions
Most camps will offer semesters of camps so they can allow more kids to experience the summer. Of course, many campers do choose to stay the full summer, but other’s don’t want to be apart from their families for that long. So, choosing one semester of the camp can cut your summer cost in half. This will still give your child a full month in camp, while keeping several hundreds in your pocket. There are also some camps that only run a week or two at a time. This can cost you as little as $200 per campers, so when you’re looking for a camp try to pick one that suits your financial needs too. There are also come camps that only run in the day time. Typically these camps are run locally, but you might end up doing a bit of driving if you choose one that is out of town. If you do choose to send your children to a day camp then you might want to look into a busing system that can get your child to and from camp for a lot less than you driving.
5. Ask for Discounts
Before you finalize your payment make sure to ask about any discounts the camp might have. Many camps like to honor civil servants like teachers, firemen, police officers and other government workers. You can actually end up saving a whole lot of money if you choose to do this, so remember there is no harm in asking. If you are a military family you can also receive a pretty good discount so make sure your camp knows about your situations. A lot of camps will even waive cancellation or early release fees to people in the military in case there is a sudden move or emergency. If you plan on sending your child to an academic camp then you might mention your child’s grades. Some camps will give you a small discount if your child is a straight A and/or perfect attendance students. Every little bit helps, so make sure you have all your grounds covered before hand.
6. Find a Sponsor
If you’re still having trouble finding the money to get your child into camp then you might want to look for a sponsor. A lot of schools, youth groups and churches will actually help you look for someone who is willing to sponsor your child for a few weeks at camp. Finding a sponsor might mean your child needs to have an interest in sports, great grades, or takes an active part in the church. If an organization picks your child up for sponsorship then you might find yourself working a few bake sales, or washing cars to help earn some money towards your child’s camp funds.
7. Offer to Volunteer
If you choose a camp that is nearby then a lot of the time you can actually receive a discount for volunteering. This might mean taking some time off work, or devoting your weekends to the camp, but at least you will be able to to see your children and ensure that will get to go to camp. Even if the camp is farther away you can plan on flying up for a week or two and helping out with specific events. A lot of camps need more people to help towards the beginning and end of camp, which can be a great way for you to help get your kids settled in and ensure they are happy before you leave.
8. Use Old Camp Gear
A lot of parents are tempted to buy all new camp gear for their children before they go off to camp. This is usually a first time camp parent mistake. If you have older supplies like a sleeping bag then make sure that you send your child with these items. Many items at camp can be lost or stolen so if you send your child with new items there is a good chance you’re just throwing away money. The same can be said for clothing. A lot of camps will provide your children with t-shirts to wear so that they can help classify them into bunks and age groups. This is typically included in the camp fee, so you shouldn’t send your children with a bunch of new clothes. When it comes to pants make sure that they still fit. Your child will need a couple of pairs of jeans and some shorts. If you don’t have shorts then simple cut off a few of your child’s old school jeans. An old pair of sneakers is probably best too, since they will mostly be getting dirty all summer. The only thing you might want to buy new is a bathing suit, but that’s only if last year’s doesn’t fit properly. You should also consider that your child might grow during camp, so make sure you have their sizes written down so you can send them any back up clothes they will need.
9. Use Expenditure as a Tax Break
Although it might not be helpful now you can actually use your child’s camps cost as a tax break in the future. This can actually help you save quite a bit of money if you have more than one child going to camp. This might also help you feel a little better about spending a lot of money on camp. When you file your taxes make sure you ask about this or else a lot of tax companies might over look the expense. With the camp fees taken out of your taxes you might find that you can easily save up for next year’s camp fees.
10. Choose a Non-Private Camp
A lot of private camps can charge a lot of money that many families just can’t afford. So, if you’re looking for a camp that is affordable and safe your child then you might want to look into enrolling in a non-private camp. There are a lot of colleges, churches and boy/girl scout groups that offer low cost camps to children interested in furthering their knowledge in certain areas. These camps are almost always low cost and only last a few weeks out of the summer. If your child is already a part of the boy/scout group or church then there is a good chance that you might not have to pay anything to enter your child in the camp. A lot of these groups will begin fund raisers several months before camp enrollment, so your child might even earn the money for camp before actually enrolling in a camp. This is a great way to teach responsibility and will even ensure that camp is a possibility for your child.
Summer camp is one of the easiest ways to keep your child busy and active during the summer. It doesn’t matter what camp you decide to send your child to as these tips can really help cut down cost without forcing you to cancel your child’s enrollment. You will definitely be your child’s hero when you tell them they are going to camp this summer. Now that you won’t have to stress over money this year you can certainly find a little relaxation time while the children are away at camp!
Author: Chelsey McQuitty
