Mom’s Money

Childcare Costs Got You Down This Summer? Consider A Camp Experience For Your Child

Do you, like so many working parents, start to panic when the school year comes to an end because the childcare bills are going to start?  Come June, many folks are hit hard trying to cover childcare costs during the working day.  Even if you pay tuition for your child’s school year, it is quite often less expensive than providing daycare for the same amount of time.  So, what happens when school’s out?  You grin and bear it… and dig in deeper and deeper into those moth-eaten pockets.

Or, perhaps you need to consider some options that you may not have explored before.  Have you considered having your child attend a camp for some part of the summer?  Granted, camps may also be somewhat expensive, but there are alternatives to the trendy spa-like or sports camps that can cost thousands of dollars.  Let’s see what else is out there.

Of course, there are always the Girls Scout and Boy Scout camps to consider.  Some of these camping experiences are offered to girls and boys even if they are not currently scouts.  The fees are relatively cheap and oftentimes the day camps are next to nothing; perhaps just a small fee for the cost of food or craft items.  Some camps allow a scout to pair up at camp with a friend who is a non-scout for a nominal fee.

On the same note, consider a nearby YWCA and YMCA.  The programs available through these groups vary by region and need in the community.  Fees may be based on income, and some programs are free.  It’s worth a call or visit to your own local or nearby Y.

Your own community’s art and cultural agencies, groups, and museums may offer free programs for youngsters throughout the summer months.  If you live in or near a larger metropolitan area you are almost guaranteed to find at least one or two programs to meet your family’s needs and your child’s interests.

An often overlooked resource for summertime camps and programs is the local schools.  Perhaps because school is not in session, many parents think there must not be anything going on during the summer months.  Contrary to that belief, public and private schools often provide interesting programs throughout the summer months and even on weekends.

Another local option would be your, or a friend’s, church.  Most, if not all, churches offer some kind of summer programs for their youth.  Most of us are familiar with Vacation Bible School, but did you know that a lot of churches offer a large variety of programs all summer long?  These programs vary from day camps that offer arts, crafts, music, fishing, and swimming, to week long boating excursions.  If you don’t belong to a church, ask a friend.  Most churches will encourage their youth to invite a friend to join in the fun.

Perhaps lesser known are the Habitat For Humanity youth programs.  Even kids as young as 5 years old can participate in some of the summer camp experiences.  It’s worth doing a little exploring into this great program.

Of course, there are all sorts of summer camps including music camps, sports camps, science camps, horseback riding camps, and the list goes on and on.  But, when money is an issue, you need to look into some of the camps from our youth and the youth of our parents and grandparents.  There are some wonderful opportunities to take advantage of which are often a lot less money than you might think, and perhaps less money than you are paying now for childcare during the summer.  It’s worth a little bit of research.