The Cost Of Overnight Summer Camps

Summer Camp Tuition Research

What is the cost of overnight summer camp? This is an important question, especially if you’re a parent looking at summer camp for the first time. It’s a big decision and a significant investment.

I wanted to compare apples to apples, so during my research I did a random, online search and picked 20 traditional, overnight summer camps that offered two-week terms, a pretty standard term length for most summer camps. I randomly selected 10 overnight summer camps in Texas, since we’re located in Texas, as well as 10 overnight summer camps across the United States. This also gave me the opportunity to see how much, if any, Texas summer camps differed from out-of-state summer camps. Of the Texas summer camps selected, six were coed, two were overnight summer camps for girls only, and two were overnight summer camps for boys only. Of the nationwide overnight summer camps, eight were coed camps, one was all girls, and one was all boys.

The Results: Nationwide Summer Camps & Texas Summer Camps

Based upon a sample size of 20 camps, the average cost of summer camp was $2,476. Tuition for Texas summer camps averaged $2,500, which is very much in line with U.S. summer camps’ tuition average of $2,452.

Why are some overnight summer camps less expensive than others?

Why are some camps more or less expensive than others? This is a very good question. Camps, just like any other organization or business, are a living, breathing entity. They have to pay for things just like any other business and cover their costs with revenue, or in a camp’s case, tuition. Large camps, in terms of enrollment or campers per session, have more dollars to spread out over their regular, fixed costs. Therefore, those camps may be able to reduce their tuition a bit. On the other hand, smaller camps with fewer kids per session don’t necessarily have as many dollars to spread over their costs, so their tuition may be a bit higher per camper.

Tuition may also be directly related to the amount of staff the camp hires. In my opinion, quality staff and camper to counselor ratio are crucial to running a successful camp. Therefore, some camps may spend more money in order to lower their camper to counselor ratio in an attempt to give their campers more time and attention, which is a win for the kids. This, hypothetically, could increase tuition slightly, while at the same time giving campers more access and time to counselors. Consequently, the age-old adage “you get what you pay for” could very well apply to summer camps, especially if camps are hiring more counselors per camper.

How should cost factor into picking a summer camp for the first time?

I had a conversation with a first-time parent just last week, and she was trying to decide whether or not to send her granddaughter to Camp Huawni, our camp, or another, less expensive camp. Her initial response was “I really just want her to try summer camp out and if she likes it, send her to Camp Huawni next year.” At first thought, that made a lot of sense. I got to thinking about it more, and I was reminded that a child’s first year at summer camp is very crucial because that one summer will likely determine whether that child returns to summer camp next summer. Because no summer camp is the same, this logic could actually be a risky move. My advice: make sure your first year at summer camp is a good one. Do your research. Talk to the directors personally. Read the recent blog I posted called 5 Tips On Choosing A Sleepaway Camp. If there is a summer camp you really like, even if it’s slightly more expensive, I’d say it’s worth it, especially for a first-year camper. Your child’s future and childhood development are on the line.

How do I make summer camp tuition more affordable?

Paying for summer camp tuition is definitely an investment. Here are a few tips on making it affordable, even if you don’t have a big salary.

1. Set up a monthly payment plan.

Many camps allow you to set up a monthly payment plan, spreading your tuition over several months. This makes it much more manageable for a lot of families. Many Texas summer camps offer payment plans.

2. Take advantage of discounts.

Most camps offer some type of priority enrollment for returning campers or even an early bird incentive to sign up for camp by a certain date. Ask about these as soon as you are serious about enrolling.

3. Use overnight summer camp as an entrepreneurial learning experience for your child.

You’d be surprised at how many kids come to Camp Huawni by paying for camp themselves. Have your child create something with their own hands and/or ingenuity, spark their interest in entrepreneurship, and pay for camp all at once. Here’s a great guide to just that, called 3 Magic Seeds. Another great resource is Kickstarter.com, a funding platform for creative projects, like raising support for summer camp.