6. Apple and Microsoft stores offer FREE camps.
Forget spending money, your kid can spend three days learning from the geniuses at your local Apple Store for FREE. According to Apple’s website, “Kids ages 8 to 12 can expand their digital creativity through hands-on projects with experts at Apple. Campers choose one of three tracks, then spend 90 minutes a day for three days at a local Apple Store immersed in the subject of their choice.”
Microsoft offers a similar deal at their stores. Each local store has different offerings, but participants can sign up online for free 90-minute camp sessions. At these Hour of Code Workshops, kids ages 8 and over will learn how to create digital art in Microsoft’s Fresh Paint Workshops.
7. Search an online camp database.
Still having trouble finding what you want? There are a number of great and free online resources to make finding the right camp for your kid as easy as a few clicks. Use sites like: American Camp Association, SummerCamps, KidsCamps and My Summer Camps to start your research.
Let’s say you want a basketball day camp in Dallas, Texas for less than $500 a week. The search features on these sites allow you to select from a number of options including location, day vs. overnight camp, and price.
8. Do your homework.
Finding a good camp is a bit like finding a good preschool. You wouldn’t just send your kid to class on the first day without visiting it first or at the very least reading reviews. Start by asking for recommendations from friends and teachers, next check online reviews, and finally pick up the phone and call to schedule a visit or ask any follow-up questions.
9. Check for scholarships.
Before you disregard a camp for price alone, check to see if that high cost camp offers any kind of scholarship program. According to Ann Sheets, the former national president of the American Camp Association, “about 90 percent of resident camps and 89 percent of day camps offer scholarships.” With those numbers, it is definitely worth asking about.
About the Author
Kate is a freelance writer, mommy blogger, safe sleep crusader, and wannabe inventor in search of her next great idea. She lives in Bentonville, Arkansas with her husband and two little girls. They are the loves of her life, but also drive her to insanity. She writes about living on that brink on her blog, The Tiny Fashionista. More.
