To create a fun but affordable summer for her daughters, ages 11 and 13, Flossie McCowald plans out camps well in advance. The Pennsylvania resident snags early-bird discounts, takes advantage of a church-based sleepaway camp that offers scholarships and leverages sibling discounts.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery little bit helps,\u201d says McCowald, who is the founder of SuperMomHacks.com, where she writes about parenting.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s especially true when camp is more expensive than ever. \u201cWe\u2019re in an inflationary environment, and camp is no exception,\u201d says Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association, which represents camps and industry professionals. He adds that camps are facing price increases across every major cost category, including staffing, insurance and transportation.<\/p>\n
The ACA says that according to responses it collected from members nationwide in 2022, on average day camp costs $88 a day and overnight camp costs $173 a day, while some camps are free, and most offer need-based financial aid to low-income families.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re looking for ways to make summer camp more affordable this year, consider these tips from camp experts:<\/p>\n
As McCowald\u2019s experience shows, booking early \u2014 even before the previous summer ends \u2014 can result in significant savings. Camps often offer discounts for early bird sign-ups as well as give away in-demand financial aid or reduced-price spots while camp is still in session.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, camps trying to establish programs for certain age groups will offer huge discounts to new campers, says Karen Meister, director of the southern division of Camp Experts and Teen Summers, which finds camps and summer programs for children and teens.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost discounted offerings are done at the end of August the summer before,\u201d she adds. That\u2019s one reason why signing up early can pay off.<\/p>\n
Plus<\/strong>: At what age should adult children start paying for their own cell phone, car, Netflix and more? Boomers think one thing \u2014 Gen Z another.<\/p>\n Lauren Nearpass, CEO of Summer 365, which helps families find summer camps and programs, says how you choose to pay for camp often affects the final price. You may be able to get a discount for paying the full amount upfront or paying with a check instead of a credit card, for example. Signing up for a longer stay can also bring down the per-week price, and installment payment plans may be available.<\/p>\n \u201cNever hesitate to ask about discounts. Not all financial aid is advertised,\u201d Nearpass says.<\/p>\n Rosenberg notes that day camp expenses can also be eligible for the\u00a0child and dependent care tax credit\u00a0as well as flexible spending accounts for dependent care, which are tax-advantaged accounts offered by employers.<\/p>\n You might like:<\/strong> Senator\u2019s long battle to protect kids online reaches new stage \u2014 \u2018Big Tech is knowingly fueling a mental-health crisis in this country\u2019<\/p>\n Jennifer Rosenstein, a camp referral agent for The Camp Lady, which helps families find camps and teen programs, says it\u2019s worth checking on extra costs that can show up later, such as travel to the camp or hotel rooms the night before camp starts. Uniforms and extra activities like horseback riding or field trips can also add to the total price.<\/p>\n Nearpass notes that you can often buy camp gear like uniforms from websites or Facebook groups at reduced prices. \u201cYou can also work with other parents to buy items in bulk for spirit days or other supplies \u2014 divide and conquer,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Check out: <\/strong>It\u2019s one of the latest trends in camping\u2014why drive an RV when you can have it delivered?<\/p>\n Rosenberg says there are many types of camps beyond the for-profit model, including nonprofit camps, camps run by service organizations and faith-based camps, many of which offer subsidies. The\u00a0ACA\u2019s \u201cFind a Camp\u201d tool\u00a0helps parents connect with all of their options.<\/p>\n Community groups, colleges and local governments often offer discount camps, Rosenberg adds. The National Summer Learning Association\u2019s\u00a0Discover Summer\u00a0website can help connect parents with local options as well as\u00a0job programs\u00a0and summer internships for teens.<\/p>\n McCowald says that if you have a child with a medical condition, learning disability or special needs, there are often free or discounted camp options available.<\/p>\n Parents can also save by keeping some weeks less scheduled. \u201cSummer is a good time to just get outside and play, ride bikes around the neighborhood and hang out with friends,\u201d McCowald says, while acknowledging that not everyone lives in a neighborhood amenable to that kind of freedom. Parents can even form a \u201ccamp co-op\u201d where they take turns overseeing one another\u2019s children and planning activities, she adds.<\/p>\nAsk about incentives<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Beware of hidden costs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Explore lesser-known options<\/strong><\/h2>\n