Remember when summer vacation meant lazy days lounging in the sun or hitting the road for weeks at a time to visit family and friends in far-away places? No? I’m not surprised.
Between the job demands of working parents and the activity schedules of kids, summer vacation can seem as hectic as the school year. In summertime, you need a plan to occupy your kids and whether it is overnight camp, day camp or some other option, one of the best ways to save yourself some money is to start planning early.
"For sleep-away camps, you can get a discount if you sign up before leaving," says Sue Rodman, creator of the blog "Field Trips with Sue." It also pays to sign up early for day camps, since many offer end-of-the-year specials for the following season, says Rodman.
If you’re not one of the early birds, you can still find ways to save on summer arrangements. Here are a few ideas:
Get informed. Camp Expos can help you figure out which camp experience is best for your child and can also help you compare costs. Atlanta Parent has a Camp Expo on March 22 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Perimeter Mall. In addition, Rodman offers an Atlanta Summer Camp Guide on her website that is regularly updated with offerings. Current listings feature a discount on day or overnight Summer Academy camps at UGA when you register by March 14.
Host a home show. Some overnight camps may give the option of hosting an information session at your home. In return, you get a discount on fees for any referrals who sign up, Rodman says.
Be a subscriber. If you are interested in a day camp program offered by a particular institution, get a membership and follow them on social media to get alerts about camp registration. Members may also get discounted camp rates.
It's not just about money. Early this year, the Children's Museum of Atlanta offered a special summer camp deal. Anyone who signed up for a summer camp session received a free one-year membership to the Museum. Look for incentives beyond dollar discounts.
Obscurity can pay. "There are tons of camps out there and they don't have to be the ones you see all the time," Rodman says. The well-known camps with advertising budgets fill up quickly and are probably more expensive. Check into lesser known programs, talk to families who attend and ask about camper ratios, supervision and the mix of kids, Rodman says.
Go your own way. Consider hiring a sitter for the summer. "College kids are looking for summer employment. Find someone with a skill," says Rodman, who in the past hired a student lacrosse player who taught her children how to play the sport. Use local resources including Rodman's "100+ Free Things to Do in Atlanta," to plan a summer itinerary and enlist the sitter's assistance in building a fun experience. You can call local schools and ask for students who may be interested in summer employment. Also check with sororities or other campus organizations, Rodman says. If you can't afford a sitter on your own, consider a sitter share with another family.
Look in the neighborhood. The City of Atlanta's Camp Best Friends offers traditional day camp for as little as $35 per week for city of Atlanta residents (non-residents pay $110 per week). Rodman also suggests considering themed camps run by older kids your neighborhood such as gymnastics or cheerleading. They are less expensive, but may also come together later in the summer.
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