Camp can be just as educational as school, with the added dimension of children learning through experience. Through activities and play, children learn a wide range of skills and develop physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. At camp, children learn by doing, living, and experiencing things for themselves. It's one thing to watch a nature program on television, but quite another to experience nature in real life.
Residential camps can be downright expensive, even if the experiences are worth every penny. If you're trying to figure out how you can afford to send your child to summer camp, consider the following cost saving ideas.Cheap Summer Camp
Current private campers especially those on the east coast, are now looking at alternatives that might be far less expensive. One way to save is to look in the midwest. Savings can be a much as thirty percent after airfare.
For many you may need to change your private camps look to alternative programs that might be similar to what you have done in the past yet less expensive. This is just a matter of shopping on the internet for price. See Swift Nature Camp as a wonderful value camp.Outdoors Summer Camp offer not only a chance to be outside but the opportunity to build friendships.
For other children the answer may be to leave the private summer camp programs altogether and choose a less expensive overnight camp program, such as a YMCA or a even a church program. These summer camps can save nearly 30% or more compared to the private camps.
In most local areas park districts offer some form of day summer camp. These are usually the most cost effective, however, day camps generally do not offer the same array of activities and benefits that an overnight summer camp provides.
Discounts and campership programs are available from most Camps. However, it does not make Camp free. Individually, camps decide how to run their discounts. So, ask the camp director how their particular program runs to see if it will help your situation.
If these areas still leave summer camp out of the question the ACA American Camp Association recommends: 1) Parents should inquire into whether the camp participates in income-eligible subsidy programs, for instance through Title XX. 2) A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account allows parents to be reimbursed on a pre-tax basis for child care or adult dependent care expenses for qualified dependents that are necessary to allow parents to work, look for work, or to attend school full time. Visit the FSA Feds Web site for more information. 3) In certain circumstances, day care expenses, including transportation by a care provider, may be considered dependent care services and paid with pre-tax dollars. Visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for more information. 4) Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: The IRS allows an income tax credit of up to $6,000 of dependent care expenses if you have two or more dependents (up to $3,000 for one dependent). The amount of the credit is based on your adjusted gross income and applies only to your federal taxes. This applies to qualifying day camp expenses as well. Visit the FSA Feds Web site for more information.
Not all camps are equal and cost is often reflected in quality of programs. Please do your research to ensure a quality experience for your child. Be sure to ask about staffing. Some camps use volunteers while others have paid staff. Look at counselor-to-camper ratios. Look in to, how many campers are sleeping in each cabin with what number of children. Are the counselors over 18? If not, be wary.
Search out the total cost of the camp. This should include not only tuition, but transportation, camp store, spending money, laundry, off-site trips, and uniforms (if required). Ask about how deposits and if it is refundable. When are fees due?
Camp is all about Safety. You want to be reassured that your child will be safe and will return home at the end of camp. Be sure your camp is an accredited member of the American Camp Association. The ACA ensures that over 300 standards are met in their accreditation process.
Lastly, It is important to try to remember the experience of being a kid. Summers are long, and the experiences at camp create a lifetime of memories. For many adults, these recollections are some of their fondest. Do what you need to to suit your needs, but don't let this summer pass your child by without a summer camp experience
Residential camps can be downright expensive, even if the experiences are worth every penny. If you're trying to figure out how you can afford to send your child to summer camp, consider the following cost saving ideas.Cheap Summer Camp
Current private campers especially those on the east coast, are now looking at alternatives that might be far less expensive. One way to save is to look in the midwest. Savings can be a much as thirty percent after airfare.
For many you may need to change your private camps look to alternative programs that might be similar to what you have done in the past yet less expensive. This is just a matter of shopping on the internet for price. See Swift Nature Camp as a wonderful value camp.Outdoors Summer Camp offer not only a chance to be outside but the opportunity to build friendships.
For other children the answer may be to leave the private summer camp programs altogether and choose a less expensive overnight camp program, such as a YMCA or a even a church program. These summer camps can save nearly 30% or more compared to the private camps.
In most local areas park districts offer some form of day summer camp. These are usually the most cost effective, however, day camps generally do not offer the same array of activities and benefits that an overnight summer camp provides.
Discounts and campership programs are available from most Camps. However, it does not make Camp free. Individually, camps decide how to run their discounts. So, ask the camp director how their particular program runs to see if it will help your situation.
If these areas still leave summer camp out of the question the ACA American Camp Association recommends: 1) Parents should inquire into whether the camp participates in income-eligible subsidy programs, for instance through Title XX. 2) A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account allows parents to be reimbursed on a pre-tax basis for child care or adult dependent care expenses for qualified dependents that are necessary to allow parents to work, look for work, or to attend school full time. Visit the FSA Feds Web site for more information. 3) In certain circumstances, day care expenses, including transportation by a care provider, may be considered dependent care services and paid with pre-tax dollars. Visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for more information. 4) Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: The IRS allows an income tax credit of up to $6,000 of dependent care expenses if you have two or more dependents (up to $3,000 for one dependent). The amount of the credit is based on your adjusted gross income and applies only to your federal taxes. This applies to qualifying day camp expenses as well. Visit the FSA Feds Web site for more information.
Not all camps are equal and cost is often reflected in quality of programs. Please do your research to ensure a quality experience for your child. Be sure to ask about staffing. Some camps use volunteers while others have paid staff. Look at counselor-to-camper ratios. Look in to, how many campers are sleeping in each cabin with what number of children. Are the counselors over 18? If not, be wary.
Search out the total cost of the camp. This should include not only tuition, but transportation, camp store, spending money, laundry, off-site trips, and uniforms (if required). Ask about how deposits and if it is refundable. When are fees due?
Camp is all about Safety. You want to be reassured that your child will be safe and will return home at the end of camp. Be sure your camp is an accredited member of the American Camp Association. The ACA ensures that over 300 standards are met in their accreditation process.
Lastly, It is important to try to remember the experience of being a kid. Summers are long, and the experiences at camp create a lifetime of memories. For many adults, these recollections are some of their fondest. Do what you need to to suit your needs, but don't let this summer pass your child by without a summer camp experience
About the Author:
Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional coed Overnight Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature, animals and science along with traditional camping activities. Mention this article and save $200 Nature Summer Camp
