Camp children learning through experience. Play gives children a wide range of skills and helps them develop physically, emotionally & intellectually. Kids learn by doing, living, and experiencing things for themselves. It's one thing to watch life on a computer screen yet, quite another to experience real life. Overnight camps can be expensive, even if the experiences are worth it. You can afford to send your child to summer camp just consider the following thoughts.Summer Camp Savings Families that in the past have sent their children to private sleep away camps, especially on the east coast, are now looking for less expensive alternatives. Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan all provide summer camp with similar activities and programs at a thirty percent savings. For many you may need to change your private camps look to alternative programs that might be similar to what you have done in the past yet less expensive. This is just a matter of shopping on the internet for price. See Swift Nature Camp as a wonderful value camp.Outdoors Summer Camp Parents can also choose a less expensive overnight camp program, such as a YMCA or a even a church program. These summer camps can save sometimes half compared to a private camp. Park Districts also offer a day summer camp. These are usually the most cost effective, however, day camps generally do not offer the same array of activities and benefits that an overnight summer camp provides. Discounts and campership programs are available from most Camps. However, it does not make Camp free. Individually, camps decide how to run their discounts. So, ask the camp director how their particular program runs to see if it will help your situation. The ACA (American Camp Association) recommends: * Parents should ask whether the camp participates in income-eligible subsidy programs, for instance through Title XX. * A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account allows parents to be reimbursed on a pre-tax basis for child care or adult dependent care expenses for qualified dependents that are necessary to allow parents to work, look for work, or to attend school full time. Visit the FSA Feds Web site for more information. * In certain circumstances, day care expenses, including transportation by a care provider, may be considered dependent care services and paid with pre-tax dollars. Visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for more information. * Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: The IRS allows an income tax credit of up to $6,000 of dependent care expenses if you have two or more dependents (up to $3,000 for one dependent). The amount of the credit is based on your adjusted gross income and applies only to your federal taxes. This applies to qualifying day camp expenses as well. Visit the FSA Feds Web site for more information. Not all camps are equal and cost is often reflected in quality of programs. Please do your research to ensure a quality experience for your child. Be sure to ask about staffing. Some camps use volunteers while others have paid staff. Look at counselor-to-camper ratios. Look in to, how many campers are sleeping in each cabin with what number of children. Are the counselors over 18? If not, be wary. Search out the total cost of the camp. This should include not only tuition, but transportation, camp store, spending money, laundry, off-site trips, and uniforms (if required). Ask about how deposits and if it is refundable. When are fees due? Camp is all about Safety. You want to be reassured that your child will be safe and will return home at the end of camp. Be sure your camp is an accredited member of the American Camp Association. The ACA ensures that over 300 standards are met in their accreditation process. Remember the experience of being a kid? The summers seem long, and camp create a lifetime of memories. For many adults, these recollections of youth at camp are some of their best. Do what you need to save money at camp this summer but what ever don't let summer camp pass your child by this year.

Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional Overnight Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature & animals at this Science Summer Camp along with traditional camping activities. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as for teens. Mention this article and save $200 Minnesota Summer Camp

Source: Summer Camp Discounts

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