Kid's Summer Camp Discounts

By: Jeffrey Lorenz

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.

The benefits of camp are worth every penny. Yet Private resident camps are expensive. When trying to determine how to save some money for summer camp, consider the following cost saving ideas. Save Money on Summer Camp

Families that in the past have sent their children to private upper end overnight camps, especially on the east coast, are now looking at alternatives that might be far less expensive. One suggestion is to look in the midwest for a camp that might offer very similar activity programs at a cost 25-30% less than the equivalent east coast camp.

Another savings is to shop for 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 and activities. Teen Adventure Summer Camp. 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.

Don't forget your local areas park districts. Many offer some form of day summer camp. These are usually the most cost effective, however, day camps generally do not offer the same opportunities as that of an overnight summer camp.

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: * Parents should inquire into whether the camp participates in income-eligible subsidy programs, for instance through Title XX. * 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. * 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. * 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.

All camps are not the same and cost is often reflected in quality of programs. Do your homework to ensure a quality experience for your child. Camps can cut costs by useing volunteers while others have paid staff. Generally speaking camps have more control over paid staff. Also asl about counselor-to-camper ratios to determine how many campers are sleeping in each cabin with how many children. It's best if counselors are over 18.

Be sure to ask the director about the actual, true total cost of the camp. This should include not only tuition, but transportation, canteen and spending money, laundry, off-site trips, and uniforms (if required). Ask the director about how much of a deposit is required and if it is refundable. When must the camp fees be paid in full? Ask about what the policy is if the family's plans change and they withdraw the child from the program before the start of camp. What if problems arise during camp and the child must come home?

Regardless of cost, you want to ensure that your child will be safe and will return home at the end of the program. One way to make sure your camp is safe is to be sure they are a member of of the American Camp Association. The ACA ensures that over 300 standards are met in their accreditation process.

Bio:
Swift Nature Campis a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight summer camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature and animals at this Science Summer Camps along with traditional camping activities. Mention this article and save $200 Illinois Summer Camps.