4 Ways to Cut Summer Camp Costs Deal of the Day Stock Market Help

Many of the kids who would normally be packing their favorite swimsuit and flashlight in anticipation of the first day of camp are keeping their trunks stowed away this summer. The prohibitive cost of camp on average, anywhere from $90 to $1,200 a week depending on the length of stay and type of program, according to Peg Smith, CEO of American Camp Association has many parents keeping their kids at home.

But some parents who’ve held out may be in luck. At this time last year, enrollment at many summer camps across the country had reached full capacity. But now, an average of 10% of summer camp slots are still available, says Sean Nienow, director of the National Camp Association, a Pomona, N.Y.-based nonprofit that offers families free assistance in finding a camp. To fill those empty bunk beds, camps are offering discounts, payment plans and even financial aid, he says.

Before you make the leap, however, assess your current situation and check the camps refund policy. (If the policy is not on the application form, then speak with someone at the camp directly.) Find out what recourse you have if you lose your job or your company reduces your salary before summer camp begins. While policies vary, most camps offer prorated refunds, giving you less of your money back the longer you wait to cancel, says Smith.

Here are four ways you can cut your childs summer camp costs, without denying them the summer camp experience.

Early-bird discounts typically would have expired months ago, but some camps are still offering them through the end of this month, says Nienow. Lake Greeley Camp, a privately-owned co-ed sleepaway camp in Greeley, Pa., is slashing between $400 and $1,300 off of its tuition for children who register through the end of this month. (Tuition for eight weeks before the discount is $7,400; a two-week stay typically costs $2,400.)

Many camps also offer discounts for first-time campers. At Camp Woodmont, a privately-owned camp in northwest Georgia, first-time campers pay $575 ($175 off the full price) for a one-week session, which includes horseback riding (usually an extra $80 per week).

Many camps now offer payment plans that allow parents to pay tuition over a few weeks or even months, says Smith. Lake of the Woods Camp for Girls and Greenwoods Camp for Boys, privately-owned sleepaway camps in Decatur, Mich., allow parents to pay for tuition over several weeks or months prior to their child’s camp session. The camps offer two-, four- and eight-week programs.

Scholarships and financial aid aren’t just for college students. The ACA, in conjunction with the camps that it accredits (accreditation involves passing rigorous health and safety programs, and it needs to be renewed every three years), generate $39 million in scholarships each year, says Smith. The agency camps those run by organizations like the Girl Scouts, YMCA and religiously-affiliated groups tend to be the most generous with aid.

The New York YMCA Camp in Huguenot, N.Y., offers one- and two-week sessions that cost $738 and $1,378, respectively. Families can receive aid and pay just $538 and $978, respectively, without showing any financial documents. Or, financially-strapped parents may qualify for scholarships that can cover up to half of tuition. However, theyll have to provide their tax returns.

Uncle Sam can help you pay for camp costs as well. Children younger than 13 and attend day camp can help their parents qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit, says Smith. The credit allows working parents (or parents looking for work) to qualify for a credit of 20% to 35% on expenses of up to $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two or more children. This translates into a maximum credit of $1,050 for one child and $2,100 for two or more kids, says Eric Smith, a spokesman for the Internal Revenue Service.