What is the most afforadble option do summer camp? (Arlington)

[Anonymous]

My son is a rising kindergarten so we will be looking at summer camp for next year. The prices are insane! We are a military family and all the camps are way out of our price range. Are they any affordable options? We do not qualify for any financial assistance.

[Anonymous]

In general parks and rec camps are cheaper than the more private options. Or a YMCA option

[Anonymous]

Look at the camps offered by the county, although some have no aftercare. The main problem with county camps I the sign up is much later than other camps. So you lose out on other options.

It has been a few years but the knights of Columbus camp in Arlington was a decent price and good for the young kids a few years ago.

There is a cheap camp, which I now forget the name. It has no refunds but people I know says it is easy to sell the spots you do not use. Maybe that will ring a bell with someone.

The school also runs some inexpensive camps. But again, they open up really late, so we have never done them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at the camps offered by the county, although some have no aftercare. The main problem with county camps I the sign up is much later than other camps. So you lose out on other options.

It has been a few years but the knights of Columbus camp in Arlington was a decent price and good for the young kids a few years ago.

There is a cheap camp, which I now forget the name. It has no refunds but people I know says it is easy to sell the spots you do not use. Maybe that will ring a bell with someone.

The school also runs some inexpensive camps. But again, they open up really late, so we have never done them.

PP is probably referring to Camp Kids Place, at Cherrydale Baptist. It's about $300 per week, until 4pm with aftercare for $5 a day and you only pay for the days you use, which I really appreciated since everywhere else you have to pay for the full week. It was my son's favorite camp and now he works there.

Downside is that Camp Kids Place fills up the moment registration opens in December. http://www.campkidsplace.com/registration.html

The YMCA also has more affordable camps, although my kids haven't liked those as well as others.

[Anonymous]

Columbia Baptist is $270 a week $300 with aftercare.

Falls Church City has a really affordable camp options, look at that and Arlington county.

[Anonymous]

OP, this is 11:11. It would also be helpful to know what your camp budget will be so people can make appropriate suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Where do you live OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Columbia Baptist is $270 a week $300 with aftercare.

Falls Church City has a really affordable camp options, look at that and Arlington county.

Camp Columbia is one of the most affordable options and it's a really great program.

The summer fun camp via falls church parks and rec is also an affordable option.

[Anonymous]

Arlington County Summerfest camp is the best deal by far - it's about $255/week and the hours are 8am - 6pm - no extra for extended hours. The kids go on 2 field trips per week, go outside every day, play games, do crafts etc. But the trick is - they fill up with in the first few minutes registration opens. You have to be online ready to go the minute county registration opens.

[Anonymous]

Falls Church summer fun camp was very well priced if you sign up for the full summer. Before & aftercare is extra but it’s still a great deal. My son liked it, but liked Columbia baptist better, though it did cost quite a bit more.

[Anonymous]

NP. Just to be clear, you looked at the military's childcare assistance website and determined you either don't qualify or it wouldn't provide a benefit?

http://usa.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/military-families/

In that case, I second the PPs who are saying to try the parks & rec camps that are closest to you. Fairfax County's are about the same price as the others, $195 for 9-4pm and $60 for extended day. That's as low as it goes around here for full-time care, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Vaction bible schools are the cheapest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arlington County Summerfest camp is the best deal by far - it's about $255/week and the hours are 8am - 6pm - no extra for extended hours. The kids go on 2 field trips per week, go outside every day, play games, do crafts etc. But the trick is - they fill up with in the first few minutes registration opens. You have to be online ready to go the minute county registration opens.

We haven't tried Arlington County camp, but I've heard positive things.

My son has done Knights of Columbus in Arlington the past two years and loves it. The counselors are great, and it seems to be well organized. They spend a lot of time in the pool, playing on the play ground, playing various sports, etc. It's more expensive than the county camp, but is still pretty reasonable compared to some of the other camps out there. It also fills up very quickly, so you need to be ready as soon as it opens (which is usually early Feb.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arlington County Summerfest camp is the best deal by far - it's about $255/week and the hours are 8am - 6pm - no extra for extended hours. The kids go on 2 field trips per week, go outside every day, play games, do crafts etc. But the trick is - they fill up with in the first few minutes registration opens. You have to be online ready to go the minute county registration opens.

What month does registration normally open for this?

[Anonymous]

If you are in Arlington, maybe try summer school. We did that for pre-K, and I don't remember the exact price, but it was around $100 for 5 weeks.