With the Philly summer camp season around the corner, families may soon stress over how to afford summer camp. Although summer camps in Philly can vary greatly in cost, it pays to start the search now. 

Whether a kid attends a traditional Philly day camp or a sleepaway camp, use the tips below to discover creative ways to afford summer camp in Philadelphia.

What Are the Perks of Attending a Philly Summer Camp?

A Philadelphia summer camp is more than a fun time for a kid. Time away at camp can help instill a sense of independence, provide a break for parent and child, and help a child hone their skills or discover a new hobby. 

Another unexpected perk of summer camp is potential eligibility for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCC). Summer camp in Philly could count as a child care tax deduction. Who knew summer camp could be a tax write-off?

The hard part is finding the right summer camp. Fortunately, it is easier than ever to pay for summer camp, thanks to the variety of camp payment options and discounts.

How Do Philly Parents Afford Summer Camp?

There are many ways Philly parents pay for summer camp. Not every family can afford to pay for camp in full. While there are low-cost or free summer camps in Philly, even these low-cost camps may seem out of reach for some families. 

The type of camp it is can also add additional costs. A Philly day camp could be less expensive than an overnight camp. In some cases, it could be less than the cost of childcare. No matter what camp it is, it still costs money, so how do parents make camp possible for their kids?

Fortunately, many camps offer structured automatic payments, so the full cost of a day camp or a Philly sleepaway camp is spread out over the course of the year or multiple months, depending on the camp. Savvy families start searching for how to afford summer camp early. 

Families who register before the early bird deadline may save a few bucks on that Philly adventure camp, or they might apply for camp scholarships, or “camperships,” to take the edge off that month-long camp. Camp-specific financial aid can help take the pressure off of paying for camp. 

Is Summer Camp Really Expensive?

Summer camp in Philly can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are Philadelphia-area summer camps at all kinds of price points. There are even free and low-cost summer camps around Philly.

However, there may be extra unexpected expenses when a Philly kid heads to camp. Those additional costs could make it tricky when figuring out how to afford summer camp. A Philly sports camp, for example, could have specific shoe, gear, and equipment requirements.

These extra camp expenses may include:

• Camp uniforms
• Camp supply list for camp gear, such as a sleeping bag and water shoes
• Camp dollars, or camp money, for snacks and trinkets at the camp store
• Special activity fees for additional activities, which vary by camp

Avoid some of these camp fees by either looking for used gear online, at thrift stores, or by networking with other parents. Speak to kids before camp about whether or not they can sign up for extra activities. 

Let kids know how much they can spend at the camp store. Some camps allow kids to make purchases at the camp store. The incurred costs are tied to a parent’s credit card, so let kids know their budget beforehand. 

How To Make Summer Camp Affordable

Whether a child enrolls in a Philly academic summer camp or a day camp, there are plenty of options to better afford summer camp. How can a family make summer camp a little less expensive? 

Register for Camp Early or Register Late

Many summer camps offer an early bird discount. If parents enroll their children before a specific date, camp costs a little less than if they’d waited until later in the year. However, some camps also have a late-enrollment discount. 

There may be a spot or two left, and in the interest of filling it shortly before camp begins, a summer camp may offer a slight discount. Late-enrollment camp discounts are far less common than early-bird registration discounts. 

Camp Discounts

Some Philly summer camps pile on the discounts. These camper discounts could include the following: 

• Repeat campers, or those who’ve attended the camp the previous year
• Multiple kids in camp, or the sibling discount
• Duration discounts, or a lengthier summer camp stay
• Prepaying tuition, or paying the tuition in full by a specific date
• “Refer a friend” offers that give the original camper a discount and their friends a discount

Every camp is different. Acting early can help families determine how to afford summer camp. Plan ahead and reach out to camps about financing options and current discounts well in advance of the due date.

Camp Payment Options

Some camps may charge additional fees for credit card payments. Other camps offer a discount for payments via check. See how paying for camp affects the total payment price (and inquire about possible discounts).

Camp-Specific Financial Aid and Scholarships

Some camps offer full or partial scholarships to campers who qualify for financial assistance, which may take into account the number of people in a household. 

These Philly camp discounts run the range. Some camps offer need-based assistance, while others offer discounts for specific reasons, such as having an active duty parent. 

Other camps could provide merit-based scholarships. These types of camp scholarships are more common at sports camps or creative camps, such as dance camps, music camps, or pre-college camps (such as engineering). Securing these merit-based camp scholarships may require an audition, a comprehensive portfolio, and an essay that highlights the camper’s relevant achievements. 

Township Programs

Sometimes, a township may offer a small grant for its residents. Township grants to cover the cost of summer camps may be harder to find. The best place to start this search is by visiting the township website and exploring the parks and recreation department.

Government-Funded Programs

Head Start or Early Head Start are government-funded early childhood programs (for children up to age 5) that help cover childcare costs. These programs may pay for summer camp. It depends on the camp program and eligibility.  

Extended School Year, or ESY 

Students with disabilities may be eligible for an extended school year (ESY) to help maintain their skills. Although an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or special education services don’t automatically confirm a child’s eligibility, it’s worth looking into at the school level.  

ESY is not a summer camp. It is part of a student’s IEP and is available free for parents. However, there are many Philly summer camps for special needs kids. Every kid can have the summer camp experience.

Working at Camp or Barter 

Camps have different criteria for who can work at a summer camp. Sometimes, a camp counselor requires specific skills, such as being a dancer or a professional photographer. Some camps only hire college-aged kids or people with extensive experience or certain certifications, such as those who work with special needs. 

However, there are some Philadelphia camps that offer a camp discount to parents who work at the camp. They may need a parent driver or the services of a registered nurse. It could be a doable option for parents in the area interested in how to afford summer camp. Other camps may approve a bartering approach if a parent has a special skill they can teach to the other campers.  

Flexible Payment Plans

Structured payment plans help make summer camp payments more accessible. Instead of having to pay the entire cost of a Philly summer camp in full, flexible payment plans allow a family to spread those payments out over the course of six months or a year, depending on the camp.  

Paying for a Philly Summer Camp

For answers to Philly camp questions, head to the Philly Family Facebook Page. Local families can help. 

Now that paying for camp is covered, tune in to a family-friendly podcast and enjoy the drive to camp. Let this summer be a real memory-maker.

Lead image courtesy of ESF Camps.