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Post by nomorewirehanger on May 16, 2016 13:49:35 GMT -7
So, the flyers for "every activity under the sun" camps have started pouring in. And most of these day camps only last three-four days, about three hours a day.
And these fuckers want $150-250/ child depending on the activity, plus sending a lunch, plus extra money for the camp t shirts that are not included in registration. Plus plus plus.
Now. I'm all for making memories. But I'm also a big advocate for "free." Lol we went to basketball camps in the multiple every summer as kids, 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, $50/ kid. I realize it was the eighties/ nineties and my mom absolutely used camp for cheap babysitting but still lol seems like it was more bang for your Buck. Now I'm expected to shell out premium money per kid for a few hours. So few in fact that there is really no possible way that in those few hours with that many kids and that few staff that my children are even going to get anything out of it. Be it dance/ soccer/ softball/ tennis/ golf/ basket weaving.
Summer camps or sleep away camps are "more expensive" up front but it seems to me if you're going to drop that dough anyway wouldnt it be better value for your dollar to invest in that as opposed to overpriced babysitting?
Discuss..I'm broke so my kids aren't doing either hahaha but I'm curious as to the draw for "everyday day camps" vs. Traditional summer camp.
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kissy
OG
I want a new drug...
Posts: 855 
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Post by kissy on May 16, 2016 13:54:56 GMT -7
Wow, that seems like a lot for a short period of time. The camps around here--botanical gardens, space and rocket center, are week long (5 days) and you can choose all day or half day, and they run anywhere from $150-200-ish for the week. Botanical gardens required lunch and two snacks but all other costs were included.
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Post by smokinghorse on May 16, 2016 18:16:24 GMT -7
G does summer camp at Science City here every year. M - F 9-5 for $180. I used to think it was steep, but there's a local week long camp provided through the district that's in the same range. We also have summer school for all of June for free. They get to choose their own electives, like summer science, book club, sports, computer coding, etc. My kids have always gone b/c, um, free. In fact, the first few years, they won money for perfect attendance. $100 VISA cards. Never understood that. But it's great for an extra month without, "I'm booored!".
They do offer those 3 hour camps here, too. I'm with you. By the time they get them organized and on task, it's time to leave. I think it's a waste.
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Post by nomorewirehanger on May 16, 2016 19:17:37 GMT -7
I wish they had a free summer school type thing here! I have the big girls enrolled in swim lessons for two weeks (an hour a day) and there is the free "summer rec" option that I've always used ...which is the local elementary schools host an "open gym" from 8-12 every morning for the month of June. B always rode his bike over and enjoyed it. If G gets a bit sturdier on her bike sans training wheels she and L will enjoy that, but it's not an option for P as they have to be heading into first grade. We will be traveling at least two weeks in July between family reunions, hubs vacation, and my besties wedding. So most of the longer sports centered camps (which are 4-5 days half day only and only really offered for L's age group on up) are during that time period anyway. And August is dedicated to "back to school" because B has to be back at band rehearsals the first week of August and school starts the 3rd week (and the kids don't get out until June. Don't get me started on the length of our school year. It's flat ridiculous frankly..)
It just seems like for the money you might as well send them to sleep away camp where they can do ANY activity that peaks their interest, and ....hullo. smores.
We don't have the funds for all that but if we did I know for sure what I would choose Lol
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Post by KyLady on May 18, 2016 6:07:47 GMT -7
We don't have a huge range of options here. My kids do the free program (half days) and get a seasons pass to the pool for $100 each. One my favourite parts of this small town is that the life guards know all the kids and their ability levels, and from the time you're 6yrs old if you can swim your lap you can go without an adult. Last year the older two spent all morning at the parks Program, rode their bikes home for lunch and then went swimming until supper. It was a great summer. I can't wait until Patrick can join them.
Sarah does one week each year at an overnight Bible camp. It costs $300. We aren't religious in any way, and memorizing her verses and sitting through chapel aren't her favourite thing to do, but she considers it worth it because absolutely no secular groups in this area (and we searched through 3 provinces) run an old school camp with horse back riding and archery and crafts and canoing.... If you want that kind of camp here, it has to be through a church.
She has also done full-day day camps through the university and museums in the city. They have really interesting camps that are generally a little cheaper because they're partially subsidized. One year she did a pioneer camp at the museum where the kids dressed up in costume and spent the whole day making butter and bread and chopping wood and blacksmithing. Another year she went to the agriculture department at the university and raised baby chicks and piglets and did experiments in the lab. And once she went to the zoo and got to spend her days behind the scenes caring for the animals. I love the day camps she's been to.
But I also really love overnight camps. I think that it's really good for kids to spend some time away from their parents, to get to sleep in a room fun of quietly giggling kids staying up late after lights out. And being forced to learn how to eat shitty camp food so you don't starve, and to have all those teenagers around being mostly responsible giving them new role models. Day camps give you new fun things to learn, but I prefer overnight camp. (I prefer both haha, but that's too expensive now that I've got 3 kids off camp age)
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