Sleep away camp costs!!

[kristilew]

Could you tell me the name of the camp? I went looking online last night after reading this thread and there are so many of them out there. You never know who is running them and of course, as a parent, you worry. Any other recommendations out there for good summer camps?

Yes, my DD is only 4, but I thought I would poke around and see what is out there. My DS and I used to always go to one in Oregon when we were growing up and my memories of it are some of my happiest. We loved it and I want my DD to be able to enjoy that also.

Totally agree with LovesSmurfs about checking for the ACA approval.

In your general area, though not in CT, Camp Dudley is among the best. They used to be boys only, but now have a sister camp for girls. http://campdudley.org/camp-dudley/

If you're willing to look a lot further away, we have a lot of CT kids at Seafarer, and I can't say enough good things about it. http://www.seagull-seafarer.org/

And you're definitely not too early with a four year old. Most really good camps fill up the August or September of the year BEFORE for the next summer session. So if you were looking at doing a week of starter camp (somtimes called mini camp) for your DD when she is 6, you would need to have your ducks in a row by the end of next summer.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I guess that's kind of my point. If these are the top tier incomes in our aresa, I woudl love to live somewhere that middle class equates to the half million dollars a year it would atke to afford a lifstlye of a 1.2 million dolalr home $30,00 priavate school and $9,000 summer camp. I tend to think it is the top tier earners in these areas thatcan afford those things, not the average guy.

No, I would say that the average guy earning a middle class salary is not living right here, but there are plenty of surrounding neighborhoods that are less expensive. I know the prices sound crazy but they are driven by supply and demand. If no one could pay for them, the prices would obviously come down.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I think extended summer camps, over 2 weeks, are definitely a regional thing - especially in the northeast.

We are from the deep south and I went to a 2 week summer camp every year and my kids go to camp every year, but we do not know anyone that goes to summer camp for over 2 weeks. As for the money, even though we live in the south, our income would fall into the median range that was quoted for the northeast and we would NEVER spend that kind of money on a summer camp. I mean we could fly our entire family to Europe for a few weeks this summer for less money than some of those summer camp prices that were listed.

But, whatever, to each his own, each family has to have their own priorities.

Everyone have a great summer!

 

[bored]

I'm southern born and bred and I've never known anyone who went to a camp longer than 7-10 days. I couldn't imagine sending my kiddo off for the entire summer. That is when we get to spend the majority of our "quality" time together and vacation as a family.

 

[scottishduffy]

I think extended summer camps, over 2 weeks, are definitely a regional thing - especially in the northeast.

We are from the deep south and I went to a 2 week summer camp every year and my kids go to camp every year, but we do not know anyone that goes to summer camp for over 2 weeks. As for the money, even though we live in the south, our income would fall into the median range that was quoted for the northeast and we would NEVER spend that kind of money on a summer camp. I mean we could fly our entire family to Europe for a few weeks this summer for less money than some of those summer camp prices that were listed.

But, whatever, to each his own, each family has to have their own priorities.

Everyone have a great summer!

I definitely agree with it being a regional thing. I was the ONLY kid I knew who went away to camp like that. I am from Florida and we just didn't have camps like that down here! I would fly to Virginia for my camp. Everyone else thought my parents were nuts for letting me go that far away for that long. A couple kids went to week long church camps but that was it. My best buddy ended up going away to a camp in NY but only after her parents had heard me talking about sleepaway camp.

The girls at my particular summer camp were from all over the country and even some from Europe and South America. We had big groups from VA, TN, and OH but no one from the same school or area. It was awesome to have a diverse group like that since nobody had cliques from back home. We all showed up knowing nobody and became a cohesive group.

My gramma thought it was child abuse until she came up to see the camp when my parents dropped me off. She said it looked like a country club and kept going on about how *nice* it was how *nice* all the kids were. From then on she said camp was Ok for her little grandbaby...

As soon as I have children who are old enough (and state they are ready)I plan to give them the opportunity to go away to camp.

 

[*BTMRR*]

I'm southern born and bred and I've never known anyone who went to a camp longer than 7-10 days. I couldn't imagine sending my kiddo off for the entire summer. That is when we get to spend the majority of our "quality" time together and vacation as a family.

I think it must be sort of regional. I'm from out west and never knew anyone who went to sleep away camp for longer than a week (had one friend who went to two one-week camps every summer but her family were transplants from the northeast).
I made the comment like yours (that I couldn't imagine sending the kids away for a long time during the summer since that's our main "quality" time together) on a thread similar to this one a while ago and I was criticized for depriving my children of meaningful experiences.

 

[Heidict]

DD goes to Tapawingo in Speculator (I went there when I was young!). DS goes to Deerfoot Lodge, also in Speculator. They're non-denominational, but very Christ-focused. The neatest thing was when we dropped off my son for the first year, there were fathers and grandfathers in line with us, all of whom had gone to the camp.

• http://www.camp-of-the-woods.org/camp_tapawingo/COTW-Tapawingo.shtml
• http://deerfoot.org/

When looking for camps, you should only choose camps that have accreditation -- it means that their processes and standards meet the criteria deemed acceptable by a 3rd party. Both are accredited through the American Camp Association.

Thanks for the info and the links.

Totally agree with LovesSmurfs about checking for the ACA approval.

In your general area, though not in CT, Camp Dudley is among the best. They used to be boys only, but now have a sister camp for girls. http://campdudley.org/camp-dudley/

If you're willing to look a lot further away, we have a lot of CT kids at Seafarer, and I can't say enough good things about it. http://www.seagull-seafarer.org/

And you're definitely not too early with a four year old. Most really good camps fill up the August or September of the year BEFORE for the next summer session. So if you were looking at doing a week of starter camp (somtimes called mini camp) for your DD when she is 6, you would need to have your ducks in a row by the end of next summer.

Nope, I have no problem with shipping her out of state. Of course, I think I will wait till she is older before I load her on an airplane alone. The thought scares me.

Wow, can't believe you have to book so far in advance. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[mjkacmom]

I guess that's kind of my point. If these are the top tier incomes in our aresa, I woudl love to live somewhere that middle class equates to the half million dollars a year it would atke to afford a lifstlye of a 1.2 million dolalr home $30,00 priavate school and $9,000 summer camp. I tend to think it is the top tier earners in these areas thatcan afford those things, not the average guy.

Well, the OP is from Long Island. I have family there, they live in 1.2 million dollar homes (Garden City), and my uncle is the president of a hospital in NYC, and my cousin and his wife are physicians. I think the COL is a bit higher than where you are.

 

[frndshpcptn]

Summer camp alumni here...seriously people, just because I went to sleepaway camp for the summer does not mean i didn't spend quality time with my parents while growing up.

We took family vacations, spent weekend hanging out, etc. Just because we didn't spend everyday together all summer long does not mean there was no quality time.

Different ways of doing things I guess.

It's definitely regional (Northeast here). Grew up in North Jersey and many of the kids I knew went away to camp for the summer.

It was a rite of passage once you turned 8. You got to pick your camp and get your trunk / camp gear (we have stores around here that specialize in this stuff) and head out to PA or NY state for a summer of fun and adventure!

 

[krcit]

Hi. OP here. I just wanted to clarify that I have no problem with sleep away camp. If I could afford it and my kids wanted to go I would be all over it I do think I would only do 4 weeks but then again from what I hear alot of the kids start with shorter stays and then beg to go for longer. I only started this thread because I was shocked to see how expensive it is-completely out of my league

 

[Val]

My DD12 will be going away for her 5th year of sleep-away camp, just one week. What does it cost me? NOTHING except the $15 t-shirt fee. She is hard of hearing, and attends the camp put on by our state Lion's Club- Camp Lions. Thanks to the wonderful, blessed and incredible Lions Club members, my daughter and other kids with hearing loss/deafness or low vision get to attend a camp for a whole week. The counselors are all trained in teaching kids with low vision/hearing loss (many are deaf ed or visually impaired ed majors). She doesn't have to worry about dealing with her hearing aids, and I can be sure that the counselors understand her needs. She gets to hang with other kids just like herself (she is only 1 of 2 hearing impaired kids in regular ed in her junior high), she develops independence and confidence and makes some new friends and gets to see old ones.

BLESS the LIONS CLUB. Any of you who are Lion's Club members who contribute or fund raise for your Camp Lions....please know what an incredible opportunity you provide. My family is so grateful......thank you, thank you, thank you! Most camps won't take kids with special needs- even if it is just hearing loss or low vision. At Camp Lions our kids get to just be kids- and leave their disability and odd-man-out feelings at home. They get dirty, swim, canoe, ride horses and sing camp songs just like any other kid......and that's the beauty of it....for a week no one cares that these kids are hard of hearing or can't see very well- they are just kids scratching at their mosquito bites and poison ivy and roasting marshmallows. They get to forget doctors, being made fun of and struggles.....they get to be just regular kids!

 

[barkley]

there can be different factors that impact how much camps charge. there's how much people are willing to pay-and if people are willing to pay big bucks, then some camps are more than willing to charge them those higher rates. some camps are private for profit enterprises, which can mean much higher fees than a camp that's owned and/or operated by a church or other not for profit group. operating expenses definatly play into costs as well. with some camps the staff are paid dirt wages, at others much better. the insurance costs, just like insurance costs vary for individuals from region to region, can make a big difference.

the church that owns/operates the camp my kids attend has gotten pretty creative in generating funds to keep fees low, and attract very qualified staff at what may initaly appear to be undesireable wages (as compared to a comperable paying summer job that would provide an opportunity for tip income).

-family camp (whole families getting the same activity offerings as the kids). this one fills up fast esp. if you want to pass on being assigned a cabin and want one of the tent or rv sites.

-mommy camp (moms only-getting the same activies as the kids had, and btw-kids are'nt on site when this is done. it's a hugely popular mother's day gift that some spouses know to arrange for many months in advance).

-continuing education camps (medical, dental, teachers)-arranged with local colleges so that coursework is done on site in a residential setting. courses are schedualed at various times during the one week to allow for plenty of access to what the camp has to offer.


the big draw that leads to competition among potential employees is the tie between the camp and the universities that are owned by the same church. an employee whose enrolled in one of the church's private universities can end up with a summer job that provides free food/housing, a salary above minimum wage-and at the end of the camp season, the universities dollar for dollar match their gross earnings in the form of guaranteed scholarship money.
not a bad deal, esp. if a college student is going into teaching or another career line that involves working with kids-then it's also enhancing their resume.

 

[princessmom29]

Well, the OP is from Long Island. I have family there, they live in 1.2 million dollar homes (Garden City), and my uncle is the president of a hospital in NYC, and my cousin and his wife are physicians. I think the COL is a bit higher than where you are.

I don't think Hospital presidents and physicians qualify as middle class. I get the impression form what she is saying that the average, which would be right in the middle of middle class, income in that area would support things like these expensive camps and private schools; that the average family with a run of the mill job can afford them. I just don't see how?? The median income data doesn't support it. My point is that you have to be significantly better than middle class to spend that kind of money on camp. Cost of living may be a LOT higher, but I still don't think your average middle class working family can support that kind of lifestyle. The camps are for the children of wealthy people. Iti s not something everyone does or everyone can afford. That is what I was trying to get at. I really think it is an exclusive thing for the wealthy.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I don't think Hospital presidents and physicians qualify as middle class. I get the impression form what she is saying that the average, which would be right in the middle of middle class, income in that area would support things like these expensive camps and private schools; that the average family with a run of the mill job can afford them. I just don't see how?? The median income data doesn't support it. My point is that you have to be significantly better than middle class to spend that kind of money on camp. Cost of living may be a LOT higher, but I still don't think your average middle class working family can support that kind of lifestyle. The camps are for the children of wealthy people. Iti s not something everyone does or everyone can afford. That is what I was trying to get at. I really think it is an exclusive thing for the wealthy.

These are upper middle/upper class neighborhoods. Although if you ask people around here, $100,000 would be lower middle class because of the low buying power it affords. $200,000 a year would be more in line with the middle class lifestyle, and they do manage to send their kids to private school and camp. (I am on another board and this was a very recent discussion) They budget in other ways such as not eating out, obviously kids share a room with the high housing costs, and they qualify for a small amount of financial aide from the schools and camp especially if they have more than one child school/camp age.

 

[lovetonap]

I definitely think this is a regional thing. No one I knew growing up in Ohio and Florida went to an all-summer or even half a summer camp. If anyone went to camp at all, it was for a week or two weeks maximum. I am very happy that all-summer sleepaway camps aren't popular in the area we live in now. We love spending the summer together! It is the best time of year for us. I just can't imagine it, I guess.

The price of some of these camps doesn't bother me, I guess. I just would rather spend it on a big family vacation instead.

 

[mom2rb]

Around here, most camps are church or sports related and only last a week or two.
I have one son that is going to a ten day ballet convention. It is at a hotel and parents have to stay with them. Another mother and I will split the room and each stay half the time, so that we don't have to miss so much work.
My other son is going to a week long gymnastics camp in Tenn. I am a gymnastics coach and am going to work the camp the week he is there.

It seems weird that I am going to be with my kids during their first camp experience. But for one, I have to and for the other, both the boys' and girls' teams are going. My son is on the boys' team and I coach the girls' team.

 

[mjkacmom]

These are upper middle/upper class neighborhoods. Although if you ask people around here, $100,000 would be lower middle class because of the low buying power it affords. $200,000 a year would be more in line with the middle class lifestyle, and they do manage to send their kids to private school and camp. (I am on another board and this was a very recent discussion) They budget in other ways such as not eating out, obviously kids share a room with the high housing costs, and they qualify for a small amount of financial aide from the schools and camp especially if they have more than one child school/camp age.

Exactly - if you are making less than $100,000 a year, you aren't living her. People making $150,000 aren't rich, are cutting coupons, and are watching their pennies. If it's common for kids to attend private school and summer camp, parents will cut the budget in other areas to make this happen. Camps aren't big where I am in NJ, but parents will scrimp to pay for their kids various activities.

 

[Jynohn]

Extended sleepaway camp does seem to be a bit of a cultural/regional thing. I had several Jewish friends growing up, and they all went to camp for the summer. I remember being so jealous as a kid, when they'd come home talking about all the fun they had, friends they'd made, etc. It seemed like some sort of exotic adventure that I could never be a part of. I did go to Girl Scout and 4-H camps for a week at a time, but it didn't seem like the same thing, and it was always something that I wished I had a chance to do.

When my daughter was old enough to express an interest in camp, I was so excited that she would be able to do something I was never allowed to do. We spent two whole summers visiting just about every sleep-over camp in New England and finally decided on one that we felt was a perfect fit. When we initially began our search, we had planned on sending DD for a half session which is usually 3-4 weeks, but the camp we fell in love with only offers a full 7 week session.

We are a military family and by no means wealthy, but this is something that we felt was a worthwhile investment for our daughter. We've had to make some pretty big sacrifices to send her, but every person I've ever spoken with who has gone to summer camp has said that it was one of the best experiences of their life and has shaped who they became as an adult. One of our fears was that DD would not fit in if most of the girls at camp came from wealthy families. But when you visit camp, and see all the girls swimming in the lake, singing at campfires, eating lunch under a tree, you can see that socio-economic status doesn't mean anything in the woods.

We've dealt with a lot of criticism from people who can't believe that we'd "ship our daughter off" for the summer, but I don't let it bother me. All I know is that DD is counting down the days until summer, tries on her uniforms every day because she's so excited to wear them, and though I'll miss her terribly, I'm thrilled to be able to give her the experience that I always wish I had.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Wanted to note that Michael Eisner wrote a book about his summer camp experiences. I own it (bargain bin Barnes & Noble), but haven't read, yet.

http://www.amazon.com/Camp-Michael-...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273160386&sr=8-1

 

[Jynohn]

Wanted to note that Michael Eisner wrote a book about his summer camp experiences. I own it (bargain bin Barnes & Noble), but haven't read, yet.

http://www.amazon.com/Camp-Michael-...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273160386&sr=8-1

I've read his book, it's great! He went to an all-boys camp in Vermont, and is another person who says that camp was one of the best experiences of his life.