Time for summer camp

Time for summer camp

http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/08/pf/saving/willis_tips/

5 Tips: Get a head start finding a camp for your kid now. Here's how.

By Gerri Willis, CNNMoney.com contributing columnist
March 8, 2006: 11:26 AM EST

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Snow may still be on the ground in some
places, but summer camps are already beginning to fill up.

If you're looking to get your kids into camp this year, 5 Tips is here
to tell you what you should know before packing their bags.

1. Get in now

It's estimated there will be 11 million kids going to summer camp this
year. To get into the camp your kid wants, you should act quickly. Many
camps are reaching their occupation limit by March, says Jeff Solomon
of the American Camping Association.

Parents shouldn't wait past mid-April if they want to send their kids
to camp, according to Ann Sheets of the American Camping Association.
You should also start making your camp decisions now if you're
considering a traditional camp. They tend to fill up first, according
to Chris Thurber, the author of "The Secret Ingredients of Summer Camp
Success."

There's another benefit to being the early worm. You may get a
registration discount, says Sheets. Keep in mind that schools in some
states let out earlier than most and that means summer camp starts even
earlier. In Texas, for example, schools get out in the middle of May.

2. Whittle down your options

Too much choice isn't always a good thing. Today there are over 5,000
day camps and 7,000 sleep away camps. There are camps for every kind of
hobby, from sports and fine arts camps to education and test prep camp
and travel and adventure camps.

To narrow your options, get a sense of what you can afford and what
interests your child. Then you can begin trolling the Web. The American
Camp Association runs a database of 2,400 accredited camps that you can
search by your activity and cost preference, at www.campparents.org.

Camps that are accredited by the ACA must comply with a number of
health and safety standards. Keep in mind only a small portion of
summer camps are accredited and there are plenty of great summer camps
that may not be accredited.

If you want to see all camp choices, go to www.mysummercamps.com.
You'll be able to search traditional, specialty or special needs camps.
Unless you don't have time to do any kind of research, you'll want to
avoid camp consultants, who are generally paid according to their camp
referrals.

3. Negotiate tuition

Summer camps are not cheap. One month at a private camp will cost you
at least $3,500. Agency camps like YMCAs or the Boy Scouts cost about
$350 a week, according to Sheets. Try to get your kid a "Campership."
Camperships are need-based scholarships some private camps may offer.

Not all camps advertise they have this kind of program, says Thurber
who is also a member of the ACA. And don't worry, you don't have to
fill out complicated forms like the FAFSA. It's much less formal than
that.

You can negotiate a better tuition rate. This may work if you have more
than one child who is registering, or who may be a future camper. There
may be a discount for referring other families. And if your kids' book
shelves or toy chests are overflowing, you may want to donate the stash
in exchange for a discount.

Camps are also in need of medically trained personnel. So if you
volunteer to be a nurse for a month, your kids may be able to go to
camp for free.

4. Get the stats

There are a few statistics that are essential to determining whether
the camp you've chosen is a strong one. The most important stat is the
average tenure of camp directors.

If the average tenure of a camp director at that camp is five years or
less, it's a very negative sign, says Thurber. If that average is more
like 15 years, take it as a sign that the organization is very strong.
You should also look at the retention rate of campers. If 75 percent of
campers return, that's exceptional, says Thurber, but even a 50 percent
retention rate is pretty acceptable. It's a worrisome sign if less than
half of campers return.

You should also ask how the counselors are recruited. If there is a
high percentage of counselors who were once campers, it's a good
indication that leadership skills are cultivated and valued. No matter
how you slice it, a counselor who has invested years in the camp is
going to be stronger than the counselor who just answered an ad.

5. Get help

Going to camp isn't always a bowl of cherries. And it may not have
anything to do with your child. Only five states require criminal
background checks for camp counselors.

Homesickness is also bound to play a role. In fact, 95 percent of
campers have homesickness at least once and about one in 14 kids will
have intense anxiety, according to Thurber.

If you find that either the camp just wasn't the right choice for your
child or that they're not adjusting well, you may be able to get your
money back from the camp. While refund policies vary from different
camps, you may have some wiggle room. Track down the camp director and
ask whether you can get some or all of your money back.

If you feel it's best to file a complaint against an accredited camp,
you can go to the American Camping Association directly. Otherwise,
look to your local Better Business Bureau or Health Department.
____________________________

Gerri Willis is a personal finance editor for CNN Business News and the
host for Open House.

"Fred Goodwin, CMA" writes:

Summer camps are not cheap. One month at a private camp will cost you
at least $3,500. Agency camps like YMCAs or the Boy Scouts cost about
$350 a week, according to Sheets. Try to get your kid a "Campership."
Camperships are need-based scholarships some private camps may offer.

Are there really Boy Scout summer camps that cost $350 a week?

Here in MN, our council operates two summer camps with one at $190 and the
other at $198 for a week. These are both full service camps that are
pretty well known, not year round camps that happen to offer summer camp
for a few weeks like some council summer camps.

Our troop charges $230 for summer camp. The extra $40 covers leader fees
and gas to get there and back. There is also the need for spending money,
but I doubt any family is spending more than $300 for a week at camp.

Brian Elfert

"Brian Elfert" wrote in message
...
"Fred Goodwin, CMA" writes:

Summer camps are not cheap. One month at a private camp will cost you
at least $3,500. Agency camps like YMCAs or the Boy Scouts cost about
$350 a week, according to Sheets. Try to get your kid a "Campership."
Camperships are need-based scholarships some private camps may offer.

Are there really Boy Scout summer camps that cost $350 a week?

Here in MN, our council operates two summer camps with one at $190 and the
other at $198 for a week. These are both full service camps that are
pretty well known, not year round camps that happen to offer summer camp
for a few weeks like some council summer camps.

Our troop charges $230 for summer camp. The extra $40 covers leader fees
and gas to get there and back. There is also the need for spending money,
but I doubt any family is spending more than $300 for a week at camp.

Brian Elfert

One week at girl scout camp here (Skylark in the Santa Cruz mountains, CA)
runs $430.

Girl Scout Camp and Boy Scout Camps are completely different animals. My son
goes to Boy Scout Camp this summer for $180 plus spending money while my
daughter has been to Girl Scout Camp the past 4 years on "Cookie Credits",.
Normally, camp would cost $400 a week. This year, the local council decided
to raise the cookie targets from 300 for a week and 560 for 2 weeks to 600
for one week. Needless to say, sales are way down and no one in the troop is
going to camp. Kinda sad.
Andy

"Cathy Kearns" wrote in message
m...

"Brian Elfert" wrote in message
...
"Fred Goodwin, CMA" writes:

Summer camps are not cheap. One month at a private camp will cost you
at least $3,500. Agency camps like YMCAs or the Boy Scouts cost about
$350 a week, according to Sheets. Try to get your kid a "Campership."
Camperships are need-based scholarships some private camps may offer.

Are there really Boy Scout summer camps that cost $350 a week?

Here in MN, our council operates two summer camps with one at $190 and
the
other at $198 for a week. These are both full service camps that are
pretty well known, not year round camps that happen to offer summer camp
for a few weeks like some council summer camps.

Our troop charges $230 for summer camp. The extra $40 covers leader fees
and gas to get there and back. There is also the need for spending
money,
but I doubt any family is spending more than $300 for a week at camp.

Brian Elfert

One week at girl scout camp here (Skylark in the Santa Cruz mountains, CA)
runs $430.

"Fred Goodwin, CMA" writes:

Summer camps are not cheap. One month at a private camp will cost you
at least $3,500. Agency camps like YMCAs or the Boy Scouts cost about
$350 a week, according to Sheets. Try to get your kid a "Campership."
Camperships are need-based scholarships some private camps may offer.

Our camp

Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation -- www.hmsr.org

charges $200 for a week of Boy Scout summer camp, but that includes 1
adult leaders free with each 5 Scouts and a requirement of at least 2
adult leaders. Each additional adult leader is $75. Our camp is one of
the best camps in the US and is used as a site for National Camp School
each year. Out of council troops pay $220 with the same deal for
adults. The second year an out of council troop visits the fee drops to
$210.
--
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