Scholarships, Nonprofits, and Day Camps: Tips For More Affordable Summer Camp Experience

Summer camp can be a wonderful learning opportunity for children, but it's a reality that not all parents will be able to send their young ones to camp on their own steam, especially if they need to be prudent about their family budget. 

Image source: scopeusa.org

That said, there are still several ways families can do to give their children the summer camp experience – all they need is to know where to look.

Scholarships - Though it's not always announced, some traditional, private camps do offer financial aid or "camperships" to needy children. Parents should apply early, however, as these can be quite competitive owing to the number of kids who want to go camping yearly.

Discounts - Some camps offer incentives like reduced rates to families who register early or enroll multiple children. Promos and discounts like these aren't always advertised, however, so it's always worth inquiring about the possibility!

Day camp - Day camp is generally cheaper than sleepaway camp as the attendees return home in the evenings. According to the IRS, parents may also claim a childcare credit if they send their child (aged 12 or younger) to day care or day camp, provided that the circumstances meet certain conditions.

That said, there are also some day camps, like the ones run by the New York-based Fresh Air Fund and select public offices like the San Francisco Police Department (which has a fishing program) that are completely free.

Image source: wikimedia.org

Nonprofit organizations and camps -There are a number of nonprofit camps in America, typically run by groups like the YMCA or 4-H, that host campers from the lower socio-economic bracket. Most programs are shorter than the typical summer camp but offer the same fun and educational opportunities to less fortunate kids. The children's tuitions are covered by charitable organizations such as Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education (SCOPE), churches, or businesses.

Volunteering - Programs where parents or the campers themselves can offer their time, energy, and talents in exchange for a discounted rate are also an option. Certain camps even offer parents who volunteer as camp nurses (provided they're registered nurses) a full tuition discount for one of their children.

With all those options, families shouldn't give up easily that they can't send their kids to summer camp. It might take a little creativity, patience, and research, but there may be a way they can be sure their kids aren't left out of the fun and learning found in summer camp.

Lake of the Woods Camp director Dayna Hardin is also the co-founder of the aforementioned SCOPE. Subscribe to this blog to learn more about the summer camp experience and how it helps enrich children's lives.

SCOPE Midwest event hosts over 320 local supporter

Annual Benefit Raises Camp Scholarships For Children In Need

May 4, 2015, Glencoe, IL – SCOPE Midwest, Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education, held its Annual Benefit Dinner “All You Need is Camp” on Friday, April 24th at Viper Alley in Lincolnshire, IL.

The event was co-chaired by Dayna Hardin (Glencoe resident) and Dana Kite (Highland Park resident) who are the directors at Lake of the Woods and Greenwoods Camps. Other committee members included local camp owners/directors from Camp Marimeta, Tamarak Day Camp, Camp Birch Trail, Finish Strong Athletics and Camp Ojibwa.


Committee members Traci Capp, Tracey Sachs, Dayna Hardin and Dana Kite |
Photo courtesy of Spot My Photo

The event raised over $130,000 to help send low-income, Chicago area public school children to not-for-profit overnight camps throughout the Midwest this summer.

“Camp is one of the greatest gifts of childhood, providing youth and teens with a foundation for life and the opportunity to further develop skills that they will need to succeed in the 21st century”. We are fortunate to have supporters who share our passion and belief that every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, deserves a quality summer camp experience. Since 2007, we have provided funding to over 1300 children and will continue to open the door to summer camp for as many youth as possible,” says SCOPE Midwest Board Chair, Dayna Hardin.

Over 320 guests attended the event that featured cocktails, dinner, live music by Robbie Gold, and silent auction. Dennis Rosen, Owner/Director of Camp Ojibwa and Highland Park resident, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to youth and the summer camp profession. Also honored at the dinner was Mawi Asgedom, recipient of the Advocate for Youth Award, presented annually at the dinner. Oprah Winfrey called her television interview with Mawi “one of her top twenty moments”.

SCOPE Midwest believes summer camp is part of the year-round education continuum, supplementing academic curriculum through active learning. Children living in poverty experience 2.5 years of summer learning loss by third grade compared with their middle to upper class peers. With funds raised from events and individual contributions throughout the year, they can help bridge the education gap in the Chicagoland area by affording more children in need with the documented benefits of high quality summer camp experiences.

About SCOPE:

SCOPE’s mission is to provide children in need the edge to succeed in life through the summer camp experience. This is accomplished by funding camp scholarships at nonprofit, resident camps where children will benefit from a positive, safe and healthy environment led by excellent adult role models, who will help them develop their full potential. The national organization, founded in 1991, has provided camp scholarships for more than 25,000 children from low-income communities in the New York metropolitan area, the Midwest and Southeast regions of the U.S. Each year, hundreds of children receive the benefits of summer camp through SCOPE from funds raised from foundation and corporate partners, individual gifts and fundraising events.

Dayna Hardin is the director and owner of Lake of the Woods Camp, an outdoor recreation facility that teaches young campers the value of friendship, concern for others, self-reliance, courage, and discipline. Visit this website to know more about the camp’s services.