Playground camps are usually drop-in

My kid attends a camp but it isn’t cheap. I think it is $500 per week. I ddont sent her if it is too hot.

No, I don’t think it is wrong at all assuming the camp is paid for in full.

Anonymous wrote:
I think it's a careless, self-centered move even if it's NOT a camp aimed at low-income parents or used for child care or whatever.

That slot could have gone to a kid who would have enjoyed the camp and gotten enrichment from it.

I know this is not the popular opinion on this thread, where it seems folks think it's fine to suck up slots and not use them fully, as long as you're not taking a slot from someone who is low-income/needs this as essential child care etc. Eh, it's still a selfish move. The back-and-forth of "five days one week, one day the next week" etc. just teaches the kid that you really don't have to do what you say you'll do. It also is disrespectful to the staff/counselors/etc., if they plan activities for all kids.

It's so entitled to treat a camp that is not intended as a drop-in program....like it's a drop-in program. But that's DCUM-land: "I paid for it so it's mine. Who cares if a kid who would have liked to be there the whole time didn't go? As long as I'm not taking away from a Truly Poor Person, just from another family like mine, it's no big deal!"

Wondering why the topic peeves me so much? I've been staff at camps where people did this. It's disruptive when a kid bounces in and out and in again.

And then the parents wonder why little Johnny or Jane didn't make a bunch of friends at camp. Because the other kids were making friends while you were pulling your kid in and out at random.

"Folks" think this is fine because it absolutely is.

The second bolded part is laughable.

Anonymous wrote:

It's so entitled to treat a camp that is not intended as a drop-in program....like it's a drop-in program. But that's DCUM-land: "I paid for it so it's mine. Who cares if a kid who would have liked to be there the whole time didn't go? As long as I'm not taking away from a Truly Poor Person, just from another family like mine, it's no big deal!"

OP said it was summer playground camp. How do you know that isn't a drop-in program? It's not a summer camp with units and activities and kids making Gods Eyes and kayaking or doing crafts. It's supervision on the playground. They probably have some organized games too. But it doesn't sound like an organized camp with activities that build on each other. It's playground camp.

Our county runs a summer camp at the playground for $60 for a 6 week session. $10/week, 9 AM to 3 PM

It is definitely used as a drop-in thing by parents. It's not great care but it is supervised. You use it when you need it. If you have something better to do with your kids, you do that.

I think it's a careless, self-centered move even if it's NOT a camp aimed at low-income parents or used for child care or whatever.

That slot could have gone to a kid who would have enjoyed the camp and gotten enrichment from it.

I know this is not the popular opinion on this thread, where it seems folks think it's fine to suck up slots and not use them fully, as long as you're not taking a slot from someone who is low-income/needs this as essential child care etc. Eh, it's still a selfish move. The back-and-forth of "five days one week, one day the next week" etc. just teaches the kid that you really don't have to do what you say you'll do. It also is disrespectful to the staff/counselors/etc., if they plan activities for all kids.

It's so entitled to treat a camp that is not intended as a drop-in program....like it's a drop-in program. But that's DCUM-land: "I paid for it so it's mine. Who cares if a kid who would have liked to be there the whole time didn't go? As long as I'm not taking away from a Truly Poor Person, just from another family like mine, it's no big deal!"

Wondering why the topic peeves me so much? I've been staff at camps where people did this. It's disruptive when a kid bounces in and out and in again.

And then the parents wonder why little Johnny or Jane didn't make a bunch of friends at camp. Because the other kids were making friends while you were pulling your kid in and out at random.

As long as you pay, it’s fine. If it was a problem, the camp should contact you.

If they paid for the service what difference does it make?

It's fine. But I think if there is a drop in situation where another person could use your spot on days you don't, you should try to let them know when you aren't coming in advance.