Tips for Cutting Costs on Summer Camp from the American Camp Association, New England

LEXINGTON, MA, May 18, 2013 (Press-News.org) The summer camp experience can be life-changing for a child. But costs can vary widely. Here are some things to consider:

• The average price of camp according to the American Camp Association is $500/week. But the there's quite a range. Some camps offer sliding scale fees or fee-free experiences for those who qualify. The range for day camps in New England can go to $750+/week.For overnight camps, the range extends to $1500+/week .Do not assume that lower price equals lower quality Camps owned by nonprofits such as 4-H, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Girl Scouts, etc. offer a great camping experience. They've been at it for decades and run well respected camps.

• The most important consideration in determining a camp should be whether it's the right fit for the camper. Although cost is always a consideration, no matter what you spend on a camp, if it isn't right for your child, you have wasted your money.

• If you're flexible, some weeks at camp can be less expensive than others. Often camps offer discounts for the weeks right at the beginning of summer as well as for those right at the end. This may be particularly relevant this year in New England with extended school due to bad winter weather affecting the early weeks of camp. Always check with a camp to see if they offer discounted weeks.

• If you plan to send your child to camp for the entire summer it may be more cost-effective to send him/her to one long session at one camp, rather than several shorter sessions at different camps.

• And for NEXT summer, don't forget that many camps offer "early bird" discounts if you sign up right after the summer camp session ends.

• Many camps offer returning camper discounts and sibling discounts. Some offer referral incentives. Others have payment plans, allowing you to stretch out your payments over time.

• And don't forget about "camperships." Like scholarships, camperships are financial aid for camp. Camps themselves are major providers of camperships to income-eligible campers. The American Camp Association, New England Campership Program helped just over 100 kids go to camp in 2012 and will make summer camp possible for 150 children in 2013. The first key to campership success is to ask! Read camp websites and materials for details about financial aid, including deadlines. And even the IRS can help reduce your family's camp costs. You may qualify for a tax break if you send a child age 12 or younger to a day camp as it is considered a qualified expense for the child and dependent care tax credit. Parents can claim up to $3,000 in unreimbursed expenses for a child per year depending on income. For additional information, visit http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc602.html.

For more information on summer camp in New England and on finding the right fit camp, use the "Find A Camp" online search tool found on the American Camp Association, New England's website http://www.acanewengland.org. Click on Families and Public for additional resources for camp seekers.

The American Camp Association, New England, a 501 (c)3 organization, serves as the region's leading source for "all things summer camp." Families and camp professionals in CT, MA, ME, NH, RI &VT can visit http://www.acanewengland.org or call (781) 541-6080 for additional information and resources.