SAN DIEGO — Parents signing their kids up for summer camps are getting sticker shock. Like everything else these days, the cost of summer camp has gone up.
Jennifer Sumber knows all about the high cost, as she’s already knee-deep in planning her 12-year-old daughter's summer break.
"Yeah, I feel like I need to take a second job sometimes," said Sumber.
Though prices vary depending on type and location, according to the American Camp Association, the average cost of camp is $87 a day.
That totals up to $435 per week, or more than $1700 a month.
“Unfortunately, inflation has kind of hit all areas of our life, including the YMCA summer camps," said Shelly Mctighe-Rippengale, Executive Vice President of YMCA San Diego County.
She told CBS 8 the price for YMCA camps has gone up about 5% over the last year, in part due to increased minimum wage, as well as the higher cost of utilities and insurance.
But, Mctighe-Rippengale says don't let that discourage you.
In an effort to make camp affordable and accessible to all, the YMCA offers scholarships that can help.
"We raised over $8 million in funding this year, so that we could close the gap for family. So, a family comes in and they qualify and they're not able to pay for the full cost of camp, they can come in and share that with us fill out a really brief application for financial assistance. It's a scholarship just like any scholarship," said Mctighe-Rippengale.
Tips to save
- It's not just the YMCA, Mctighe-Rippengale suggests you ask the camp you're interested in if they offer financial aid or payment plans.
- Seeking a scholarship through a civic organization
- Look into the child and dependent care tax credit, which could offset up to $3,000 of summer camp costs per child
- If possible, consider sending your child to camp for half days or a portion of the summer, which will also save you money.
It's a tactic Jennifer Sumber is using to ensure her daughter has a fun summer, that's a bit easier on her wallet.
"So you can just sign up for one week at a time and then go on your vacation,” said Sumber.
Cost aside, camps are more popular post-Covid, with some already full as early as January. Make sure you sign up as soon as possible and join waiting lists since openings can often pop up.
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