Summer Camp Donations --Update Post 89

[tammy1210]

Yeah, I think it's a little tacky, but I can see my dh doing the exact same thing - I could have said, no, but not him!

 

[jlima]

Most major cities have some kind of charity that funds summer camp for low income kids. Here in Las Vegas the Las Vegas Sun funds a summer camp program that sent over 1,000 kids to camp last year at about $300 per child. They do a HUGE solicitation every year and hit up every business in town; and it is very successful. Is there anything like this in your community? Because maybe you can get a brochure and send it to them.

 

[englishteacha]

I always went to church camp (and I go now as a counselor). I remember asking for donations to support a mission project, but not to pay my camp fees. I was shocked when the next-door neighbor gave me $5 for the mission project. $5 was a big donation in my eyes.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I think it's extremely tacky. I can't stand door to door solicitations of any kind(unless it's Girl Scout Cookies) - but just to ask for a flat out donation for himself, not even a legitimate charity or hard luck case? No way. That would really burn me up.

 

[MrsPete]

So he was begging door to door? No, I wouldn't let my child do that, nor would I contribute to the fund.

 

[samanthacatangel]

Camp is a necessity for many. Many people work and need childcare and camp is the only option.

True, I have friends who work full time and must put their children in camp. It is definitely a necessity for them.

However, the PARENTS pay for it themselves, and don't send their children out begging.

That is just tacky.

Samantha

 

[Pigeon]

I would have had to pass on that one. I won't do fundraisers for my own kids. If I want my kid to participate in an activity, I pay for it. I'm not sending my neighbor's kid to camp.

And $20? Wow, your hubby is generous. How would he like to send me to day-spa camp?

 

[Michelle67]

would have had to pass on that one. I won't do fundraisers for my own kids. If I want my kid to participate in an activity, I pay for it. I'm not sending my neighbor's kid to camp.

And $20? Wow, your hubby is generous. How would he like to send me to day-spa camp?

And please put me down for funding to whatever camp does massage therapy all day long.

I'm with you on school fundraisers, too. At least the packets of "please pimp overpriced junk." I refuse. I MIGHT buy one or two items if I really like them and can choke down the price, and so MIGHT my best friend (kids' godmother) just because she is a sucker for my kids. But that seldom happens. Mostly I just contribute cash to the PTA and boosters, and toss the fundraising packets directly in the recycling. Drives my daughter nuts. She insists she MUST have the chintzy ten cent prizes for soliciting a hundred dollars out of your neighbors, family members, and their coworkers. I'm working on that...

 

[WendyisDarling]

And $20? Wow, your hubby is generous. How would he like to send me to day-spa camp?

NK. That's what I thought, too. Would love to get a pedicure myself, but won't spend the money.
DH wouldn't have given that much but the boy made it pretty obvious, from what DH says, that he was clenching other $20 bills, so he didn't want to seem cheap. (Me, I wouldn't have cared.) I found this kind off odd, but will give the boy a pass. Wouldn't you normally have an envelope or at least put the money in your pocket? Odd.

As far as sending the brochure for low income camps for children that would be kind of funny in a not so nice way. Our neighborhood is middle to upper middle class. Granted, you never know someone's financial situation.

The mom is a SAHM, same as me. I don't talk with her often. The primary conversation I remember ever having with her is when she first moved in and complained that school was starting back and her oldest DS (camp kid) wouldn't be there to babysit the youngest so she could get out to have her nails done and "me" time. Maybe the poor kid does need a break

Thanks for your replies.
I guess I'm really feeling burdened by all our personal camp fees and supply lists and this incident hit a nerve.

There are a lot of unknowns that could explain things, which is always the case. Even so, it was really bad timing for the neighbor to ask even though he may not have known it.

 

[allison443]

When my DS made show choir last year, they suggested that we send donation letters out to family and friends to help pay his fees. That was NEVER going to happen. We didn't do any of the fundraising and he got a job and paid for most of it himself. I know there are other things the kids are in that recommend you send fundraising letters out, but we would never do it.

I know that the People to People summer program encourages kids to send out fundraising letters to pay for their trips.
I agree with you about not asking others to pay for my kids fees.

I will say that our church youth group goes on a summer trip to do service projects, and I do make donations to the group because they need to purchase building supplies, tools, etc. The kids that go on the trip pay their own way.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Camp is a necessity for many. Many people work and need childcare and camp is the only option.

I get that completely. But it is not my job to provide other children with their necessities.

 

[WendyisDarling]

I know that the People to People summer program encourages kids to send out fundraising letters to pay for their trips.
I agree with you about not asking others to pay for my kids fees.

I will say that our church youth group goes on a summer trip to do service projects, and I do make donations to the group because they need to purchase building supplies, tools, etc. The kids that go on the trip pay their own way.

OK-- to buy building supplies, that wouldn't bother me in the least. That's a whole different story. I think that is a great service project and I appreciate the kids are paying for the trip themselves, but understand they cannot fund building supplies.
As I wrote before, the boy didn't offer up what sort of camp it is, so there is going to be that doubt. Seems fundraising of that sort would have been earlier than June, but who knows.

My nephew did send a donation letter a couple of years ago asking for donations for a camp that would be an experience of a lifetime: traveling all over California, exploring, etc. really cool adventure. Did I donate? No. Maybe if he was going to do something to earn the money as others have said.

 

[allison443]

The primary conversation I remember ever having with her is when she first moved in and complained that school was starting back and her oldest DS (camp kid) wouldn't be there to babysit the youngest so she could get out to have her nails done and "me" time. Maybe the poor kid does need a break

Maybe the kid needs to charge his mom for babysitting services and then use the money for camp!!

 

[WendyisDarling]

Maybe the kid needs to charge his mom for babysitting services and then use the money for camp!!

Excellent idea

 

[summerrluvv]

I get that completely. But it is not my job to provide other children with their necessities.

I was simply pointing out that camp isn't just a "fun extra" like you implied it was but stating it wasn't necessary.

It's not my "job" to fund many things, like hurricane victimes that had no insurance, fundraisers for sick children whose parents can't afford an operation, etc., but I still do when I can.

I think people get way to annoyed at silly things in life. If you think it's tacky, don't donate, simple as that

 

[mom2my3kids]

While I would never let my children go door to door, my most memorable experience was paid for by a church. When I was a kid, I went to church with a friend of mine. We had a great experience at a church camp for a week and the church paid for it. I still remember it to this day, it was so much fun. I think I was about 13 at the time, so its been about 22 years ago..

 

[lisajl]

Geez..never thought to send my two Scouts around to solicit money for camp!

My Ds-11 is going to Webelo camp that is $130

My Ds-14-going to Scout camp $150

I don't think I would send them out for that...seems kind of weird to me.
If I did not have the money, they would not go. (Unless they offered a scholarship)

Lisa

 

[PrincessKsMom]

A couple of years ago on the day before Thanksgiving, my kids decided they needed some money for Christmas shopping. It was too cold to set up a lemonade stand, so they went in our back & front yard and each filled a shoe box with various sizes, shapes and colors of rocks (we have lots of rock in our landscaping). Then, they went door to door around the block and "sold" their rocks for 50 to 75 cents each. They made a little under $10 each selling rocks!!!

They said some of the neighbors paid them $1.00 and said to keep the rest for a tip!

Sorry, but I think this is just as tacky. Your kids selling rocks to buy Christmas presents? Like I need a rock? Imagine how your neighbors felt being asked to buy rocks? I'm sure, especially given the time of year, they thought your family was in dire straights to be sending out two children to pedal rocks.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I was simply pointing out that camp isn't just a "fun extra" like you implied it was but stating it wasn't necessary.

It's not my "job" to fund many things, like hurricane victimes that had no insurance, fundraisers for sick children whose parents can't afford an operation, etc., but I still do when I can.

I think people get way to annoyed at silly things in life. If you think it's tacky, don't donate, simple as that

Honestly- It is a fun extra. When my parents had to work they still could not afford camp. They worked it out in other ways that we were supervised. It is a lot cheaper to get a babysitter than go to camp. So yes, it is a "fun extra." I am not flaming you but I do not agree. Especially knowing how expensive camps are here I think it takes a lot of nerve to expect others to "donate" to your camp fund. (not you- just a general you) Donating money for a sick child or to a family that was wiped out by a hurricane is entirely different then having your kid beg so they can go on a Teen Tour. YMMV.

 

[summerrluvv]

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