Apr 2, 2009 8:15 pm US/Eastern
CBS 2 HD Money Saver Report: Summer Camp Deals
If Sending Kids Away Was Too Cost Prohibitive Before, Due To Economy You May Want To Revisit Idea Now
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Due to the economic downturn, some families who were shut out of getting their kids into a good summer camp may be in luck. There are deals to be had.
CBS
Working parents looking for summer care for their kids often opt for camp. But with sleepaways costing thousands of dollars, many parents are looking for new options.
Not to fear, some may cut you a break.
While kids are always excited to head back to camp, many parents say they're unhappy campers when it comes to the cost.
"Especially now since times are hard," said Suzanne Evans-Paige.
In years past, summer camps have turned away new business, but today many camps are reporting enrollment is down and parent desperation is up.
"We've been getting calls from parents who are saying, 'we need some help,'" said Wheaton Griffin, executive director of camping services for the YMCA.
So the "Y" devised an unusual new payment program.
"An honor-based tuition system," Griffin said.
Griffin said parents can now pay anywhere from $978 to $1378 for two weeks. The family chooses how much they can afford and no proof is necessary.
No matter which of three levels you choose all of the children get the same camp experience. Evans Paige is paying the middle tier for her son.
"Even though it was a stretch, I do know that there's other families that are not having such an easy time and may need help," Evans Paige said.
And the "Y" is not the only camp offering an incentive this year. Some private camps are offering up to $1,000 off, and many more are willing to negotiate.
Every kid should have an opportunity to attend summer camp. Nationwide, the American Camp Association says that 75 percent of its camps hand out some form of financial aid, including for day camps.
"Really, what we want is for a kid to walk away and say there's a place in the world where I really belong," Griffin said.
When asked what a child should do if given the option of staying at home or going away to camp, one little person told CBS 2 HD: "I would say definitely go because it's like … there's a lot of experiences that you can have at home."
And one of the most cost effective camps of all is town camps hosted by Parks and Rec. They may not have all the bells and whistles of their sleepaway counterparts, but they keep the kids safe and busy throughout the summer months.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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