Save Money on Summer Camp 2

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

23 Mar 2009 07:05 AM

Is the looming registration of summer camp making your nervous about how you will actually be able to pay for it? Summer camp can be a great experience, but it can also cost quite a bit of money. I once interviewed a family that was spending $1,500 a week on summer camp. Less expensive camps can still put a bite in the budget. That is why I decided to give you even more ideas for saving money on summer camp.

Skip the standard program

Choose a day camp close to home instead of an overnight camp for the most affordability. Also, if you find a camp that you absolutely love but find is out of your price range, see if the camp will work with you to create a shorter or cheaper camp session. Just shaving off a week of camp can mean the difference between being able to experience it or not.

Volunteer

Many camps may allow you a reduced rate or even a free session if you can volunteer with the camp in some capacity. Find an area that you may be good at doing, such as working in the office, providing transportation or making meals. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Cut out the extras

Along with the standard camp cost, there may be extra fees or regular costs that are built in to the camp tuition. One of these might be any meals that are provided. Ask if your child can bring all of his lunches and snacks and see if this will make the camp more affordable. Take a look at what other fees might be applied that you can do without, such as transportation to and from the camp.

Flexible spending account

If you don't have a stay-at-home parent, then you may be able to use the money you put into your flexible spending account to pay for the summer camp. It would fall under child care expenses. While this doesn't lessen the fee, it does mean that the money you use for summer camp wasn't taxed, which can be a big help.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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