Source: sxc.hu Photo: stroinski
Summer is right around the corner, the school year is winding down, and many working parents are looking for summer options for their kids. If you’re like most working parents, your kids are in an after-school program that watches them from the time they get out of school until you get out of work. Many after-school programs have a summer camp program for an additional fee, since they’re going to be watching your child for a longer period.
For example, during the school year, my son’s aftercare program costs $95.00 per week, but during the summer it increases to $165.00 per week. That’s almost a 75% increase in cost, but lunch and daily field trips are included. Some after school summer programs in my area cost less than $165.00, but lunch and field trips are extra. When I did the math, it was cheaper to go with an all-inclusive plan. Also, he had the advantage of already having friends in that program. Make sure when you’re evaluating the after-school summer program, you ask:
- What do the additional fees provide?
- Is lunch included or does my child need to bring a lunch?
- Are there any additional fees for the field trips?
- Will my child need spending money on the field trips? Are there any restrictions on spending money?
- If we go on vacation for a week or two, will I need to pay anything to hold the slot?
Some after-school summer programs are very flexible and will let you choose what weeks you want to attend. Many parents take advantage of this flexibility by choosing to send their child to a specialized day or overnight camp for a week or two to expand their horizons. When considering a summer camp, you need to: know your child, know the camp and know yourself. Here are some factors to consider when looking at a summer camp:
- What sort of experience are you looking for?
- How close is the summer camp to home?
- Are you comfortable sending your child to an overnight camp?
- What’s the size of the camp?
- What are the hiring criteria of the staff, and how long have they been there?
- Is the camp accredited?
- Do you know anyone that’s attended the camp? Or can they provide references?
- What does the facility look like?
- When do I need to register?
- How much is this going to cost?
According to the American Camp Association (ACA), summer camp fees can range from $75.00 to more than $650.00 per week for ACA-accredited resident and day camps. Depending on your budget, some of these summer programs may or may not be within your reach. When you’re pricing out a summer camp, don’t use price alone. Rather than assume that you can’t afford it, make sure to ask questions and get all the facts before making a decision. Ask about special discounts for early registration, full-season or multi-family enrollments. Some camps have special programs that offer financial assistance, scholarships or government assistance to help parents; however, there may be some income restrictions.
With a little planning, you can create a summer program that your child will enjoy but won’t break the budget. Make sure to ask questions, know all your options and select the summer program that best fits your busy lifestyle.
About the Author
Kathryn Katz is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor who works for Consolidated Credit Counseling Services in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Their non-profit agency helps families through financial crisis using credit counseling, debt consolidation and financial education.
