How much do you spend on camps per summer per kid?

[Anonymous]

We send our kids for eight weeks. It's $8150 per kid. We send 4 kids. But! It's $1050 off each additional child. So $8150 for only the first one. I think that's $29450 for all four.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We send our kids for eight weeks. It's $8150 per kid. We send 4 kids. But! It's $1050 off each additional child. So $8150 for only the first one. I think that's $29450 for all four.

yeah I think we know you. not exactly a happy family.

[Anonymous]

We've been able to find decent options for ~$2,500 per kid, per summer. That includes two weeks of vacation, so 8 camp weeks. Girls Scouts runs some very inexpensive options, that DD has really enjoyed. We've also had good luck with some of the cheaper Falls Church and/or Fairfax County rec center camps, like art, drama, basketball, etc. mixed in with the occasional pricier option like Adventure Links, fishing, and horseback riding. DD is excited about a lacrosse camp this summer that costs <$200.

[Anonymous]

For us with ES-age for the past 5 years or so it has basically been ~$500-600/wk * (# of weeks in summer - # of weeks we're travelling on family vacation) * # of kids

I suspect as they get older the formula may get a bit more complicated... may give the older kids a bit more time just being at home if they want, playing with neighbor kids/friends, etc... and/or sleepaway camp may enter the picture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I usually max out my FSA, which until recently was 5K. About 4K was on summer camps and the rest on spring and winter break camps. Most we do are $350-550/wk, depending on whether a bare bones camp, or private school or specialty camp.

Oh and this is for one kid. We’ve found that you get what you pay for.

Totally disagree.

My kids have done ridiculously expensive summer camps in Maine and (DH wanted them to go it's a thing for his family), not worth it. The grounds were nicer and maybe bunks were slightly nicer, that's it. Everyone drove up in a fancy car or helicoptered or flew private jets in didn't matter. Staff same period. It's not like these camps pay staff more than the cheaper camps. They are not run any better than a good one at even half or a third the price

If I had it to do over again my kids would have skipped those expensive ones and I would have donated those monies. W

+1 Anyone who thinks they are getting what they paid for has drunk the cool aid.

PP here, that’s been my experience with day camps. I can think of a couple day camps we did that were cheaper, but they basically were unstructured babysitters. Aftercare was basically kids sitting at a table. I’ve heard even worse for some DPR camps in DC.

I would say that the really inexpensive day camps, like the Y in Reston, provide great coverage hours but the programs are basic and nothing overly exciting. They were highly unstructured, did not have equipment for all of the kids (like fishing rods on fishing day), and were uninspiring. The kids were looked after and DS enjoyed the days of doing whatever he wanted but the theme camps rarely did what they said they were going to do. But kids were safe and fine. They are by far the least expensive camps that we have tried and were fine but nothing to write home about.

We have found that the Fairfax Park and Rec and Reston association camps are more expensive but the programs are far better. There is more structure, although plenty of down time. Theme camps actually follow through with the theme. The kids are engaged and well cared for. DS had a great time and prefers all of those camps to the Y camps without a doubt.

If money was tight, we would do the Y camps. With money being fine, we choose the other camps. I do not see the need to pay for the private school camps or the Cavella's and other similar camps. They sound wonderful, they really do, but DS is having a blast at camps that are close to half the cost and closer to home. But different families have different ideas of what makes a great camp and will make decisions that work best for them.

[Anonymous]

2 kids--NT Kid attends 7 weeks sleep away camp--$10,500.
SN Kid attends 7 weeks sleep away therapeutic camp--$18K. But that includes 1:1, India/group/expressive therapy, cross over training into academics, and regular camp type stuff.

[Anonymous]

The last pre-Covid summer: $15k (not including international travel to one of the camps)
Last summer: $0.00
This summer: $8k so far but I've only booked four weeks so far

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The last pre-Covid summer: $15k (not including international travel to one of the camps)
Last summer: $0.00
This summer: $8k so far but I've only booked four weeks so far

Can you say where the international camp is? I have a bilingual child and it would be nice to do an international camp at some point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The last pre-Covid summer: $15k (not including international travel to one of the camps)
Last summer: $0.00
This summer: $8k so far but I've only booked four weeks so far

Can you say where the international camp is? I have a bilingual child and it would be nice to do an international camp at some point.

London - the only language program offered is English as a Second Language for kids looking to strengthen their English. It was a great experience though!

[Anonymous]

$5k - $7k per kid to cover the entire summer (not just the main 7 weeks).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The last pre-Covid summer: $15k (not including international travel to one of the camps)
Last summer: $0.00
This summer: $8k so far but I've only booked four weeks so far

Can you say where the international camp is? I have a bilingual child and it would be nice to do an international camp at some point.

What language? Some of the weekend language schools offer summer camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The last pre-Covid summer: $15k (not including international travel to one of the camps)
Last summer: $0.00
This summer: $8k so far but I've only booked four weeks so far

Can you say where the international camp is? I have a bilingual child and it would be nice to do an international camp at some point.

What language? Some of the weekend language schools offer summer camp.

PP here, French. We are away of the weekend language school options, but just planning ahead (kid is too young for camp abroad this summer, not to mention Covid).

[Anonymous]

We booked 8 weeks of camp for our 7-year old at $450-$600/week. I’m interested in sleep away camps when they get older...is 8 or 10 when a child usually starts those?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The last pre-Covid summer: $15k (not including international travel to one of the camps)
Last summer: $0.00
This summer: $8k so far but I've only booked four weeks so far

Can you say where the international camp is? I have a bilingual child and it would be nice to do an international camp at some point.

What language? Some of the weekend language schools offer summer camp.

PP here, French. We are away of the weekend language school options, but just planning ahead (kid is too young for camp abroad this summer, not to mention Covid).

This camp starts at age 5
https://myfrenchclasses.org/summer-camp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The last pre-Covid summer: $15k (not including international travel to one of the camps)
Last summer: $0.00
This summer: $8k so far but I've only booked four weeks so far

Can you say where the international camp is? I have a bilingual child and it would be nice to do an international camp at some point.

What language? Some of the weekend language schools offer summer camp.

PP here, French. We are away of the weekend language school options, but just planning ahead (kid is too young for camp abroad this summer, not to mention Covid).

This camp starts at age 5
https://myfrenchclasses.org/summer-camp

+1 on myfrenchclasses.org summer camp