No Money for Summer Camp?

Posted by MoneySavvy on Jun 13th, 2010 | no comments home title

Kids often dream of having hours and hours of fun in the summer. Parents often dream of their kids having that fun at summer camp. However, the cost of camp is something that is out of reach for many families. A careful budget and creative planning can give your kids as many or more activities as camp would provide.

Here are a few ideas to get your summer plans started.

Swimming. If you are lucky enough to be close to a stream or lake with a swimming area, take advantage of this opportunity. Perhaps you have your own swimming pool for your kids and their friends to spend many summer days of fun.

If you are like most people, though, your kids’ swimming will have to happen at a community pool. Purchasing a summer pass or membership will be cheaper, but it may be difficult to come up with a lump sum. If daily swimming fees are in store for your kids, encourage them to work hard in the mornings to contribute to the cost.

Camping. Take a few weeks off from work and take your kids camping. It is one of the least expensive family vacation ideas and has a lifetime of benefits. Not only will your kids have fun and get exercise, they will experience life as it once was, gain a better appreciation for nature, and build memories that will last forever.

Neighborhood scavenger hunt. Get together with some other neighborhood parents and organize a giant scavenger hunt. Arrange for the hiding places to have enough of each found item and make sure the children will be allowed on the property.

Divide the kids into manageable teams but reward all as winners in the end. Create lists with every item to find; make it as simple or as hard as your children can follow. Using clues to lead the children not only increases the entertainment value, but encourages team work and problem solving.

Treasure hunt. This is similar to a scavenger hunt, but a treasure hunt has one end goal instead of several. This works well for one team of children. Start with a master map and one clue. Each clue leads to another clue, with the map providing an overall guide. The treasure could be things like a pirate chest with chocolate coins, tickets to a discount afternoon movie or an ice cream sundae party.

Neighborhood summer camp. A major undertaking, but rewarding for all involved, a neighborhood summer camp would involve a few families sponsoring all of the children for camp-like activities. One or two families could sponsor the entire camp, or families could rotate days. Minimal contributions from each participating family would cover costs.

Museums, theaters, zoos. Check the websites of local cultural centers in your area and find out what days they have free or reduced admissions.

Want the kids to help earn the money they will be spending?

Here are some ideas:

Mowing and other gardening tasks

Kids garage sale

Odd jobs for neighbors

Dog walking

No matter what your kids wish they were doing this summer, they can have fun-filled, memory-making days at a cost that will make parents smile. Whether family time or time with friends, budget-friendly summer activities are sure to be a hit.