Children's activities that are a money pit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dance need not be expensive. You want to find a place where your money goes to quality instruction, not tacky costumes and weekend "competitions."

Are some schools more known for emphasizing one than the other? I'm thinking of NoVa schools in particular. My young DD has noticeable grace and coordination (my MIL was a pro dancer and I think DD got her genes there) but I don't want to blow a fortune on crummy costumes rather than having her learn to dance well.

I remember my own dance class experience as a kid, and the shameless mark-up on costumes. My mom was horrified at spending almost $100 (back in the 80s!) on the tackiest, ugliest piece of polyester junk for my jazz class performance. It wasn't even pretty (think big sequined poly t-shirt with tacky headband) and I was as bitter as my mom was. That was my first and last dance class!

Are horses expensive because you pay the coach a lot or paying for the horse upkeep or ownership?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dance need not be expensive. You want to find a place where your money goes to quality instruction, not tacky costumes and weekend "competitions."

Are some schools more known for emphasizing one than the other? I'm thinking of NoVa schools in particular. My young DD has noticeable grace and coordination (my MIL was a pro dancer and I think DD got her genes there) but I don't want to blow a fortune on crummy costumes rather than having her learn to dance well.

I remember my own dance class experience as a kid, and the shameless mark-up on costumes. My mom was horrified at spending almost $100 (back in the 80s!) on the tackiest, ugliest piece of polyester junk for my jazz class performance. It wasn't even pretty (think big sequined poly t-shirt with tacky headband) and I was as bitter as my mom was. That was my first and last dance class!

Not sure about NoVa, but my daughter took classes at Maryland Youth Ballet. This was a few years back. The costumes for the end-of-year "demonstrations" (NOT recitals) were simple and provided by the school, like a tulle skirt worn over their class leotard. The performance was meant to display the skills gained during the year. There was nothing to buy. The school taught artistry, grace and self-discipline.

Thank you, PP - this is what I'm looking for. Might be worth the trek!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dance need not be expensive. You want to find a place where your money goes to quality instruction, not tacky costumes and weekend "competitions."

Are some schools more known for emphasizing one than the other? I'm thinking of NoVa schools in particular. My young DD has noticeable grace and coordination (my MIL was a pro dancer and I think DD got her genes there) but I don't want to blow a fortune on crummy costumes rather than having her learn to dance well.

I remember my own dance class experience as a kid, and the shameless mark-up on costumes. My mom was horrified at spending almost $100 (back in the 80s!) on the tackiest, ugliest piece of polyester junk for my jazz class performance. It wasn't even pretty (think big sequined poly t-shirt with tacky headband) and I was as bitter as my mom was. That was my first and last dance class!

Generally speaking, you want to avoid a storefront operation that is called something like, "Miss Tammie's School of Dance." (I made that up, not sure if there is a school by that name.) You should not have to pay for multiple expensive costumes. The costumes should not make your little one look like a Vegas show girl. You should not be expected to pay extra to enter weekend competitions in motel ballrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are horses expensive because you pay the coach a lot or paying for the horse upkeep or ownership?

Both! and the horse show fees....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Horse back riding is the worst.

+1000.

[Anonymous]

Crew is insanely expensive. But my daughter got a college rowing scholarship, so in the end it was worth it.

[Anonymous]

gymnastics - chinese water torture with payments.

[Anonymous]

Dive, ice skating

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crew is insanely expensive. But my daughter got a college rowing scholarship, so in the end it was worth it.

How is crew expensive? Do you need your own boat? Specialized camps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crew is insanely expensive. But my daughter got a college rowing scholarship, so in the end it was worth it.

How is crew expensive? Do you need your own boat? Specialized camps?

Our tuition was $2600 a year. Trips were additional and several of the regattas were out of state. Special training camps just added to the cost. I would estimate that we spent between $5,000 and $6,000 every year. To me, that is expensive.

Those "boats" (called shells) cost about $45,000 each. The oars alone can be $400 each. You are paying to offset the high cost of the equipment. Owning or renting a large waterfront boathouse with storage is costly. Maintenance on the property and equipment is expensive.

It's a great sport, but it isn't cheap.

[Anonymous]

Tennis is expensive. $8000/yr on private and group classes, memberships and tournaments.

[Anonymous]

The question is, what long-lasting positive effect do you get for the money?

I hate the factory aspect of martial arts in this area.

Maryland Youth Ballet is good - uniforms are not expensive and the teaching is professional.

I am willing to pay for good music lessons - $45 for 30 minutes at many reputable studios in the area.

As for horseback riding, I assume owning the horse is naturally expensive.

[Anonymous]

This is why I am glad my DD found community theatre. It's free.....

[Anonymous]

Golf is also expensive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The question is, what long-lasting positive effect do you get for the money?

I hate the factory aspect of martial arts in this area.

Maryland Youth Ballet is good - uniforms are not expensive and the teaching is professional.

I am willing to pay for good music lessons - $45 for 30 minutes at many reputable studios in the area.

As for horseback riding, I assume owning the horse is naturally expensive.

It's not just this area. I'm from CA, and the studios there are like that, too. It's just a factory, but hey, the kids feel like they are accomplishing something, right? Bleh. Thank goodness my DC quit after a year.

I pay $45 for private in-home piano lesson. Worth every penny. DCs are enjoying learning to play.