Even though it’s still spring, it’s not too early to start thinking about summer camps. If you need childcare this summer or are just looking for a stimulating opportunity for your kids, summer camp is often a great option. And yet for some it might seem out of reach of your budget, especially if you have multiple kids. Even so, there are ways to save on summer camp for kids that you might not have realized. Think outside the box and see if this is something your family can do this summer!

How to Save on Summer Camp for Kids

Always Ask for a Discount or Scholarship

This is a great example of “it never hurts to ask.” When you apply for camp or start to research your options, also ask if they have any discounts they offer. Many offer a discount for other siblings, reserving multiple weeks, and booking early. For some programs. there is scholarship funding available, often on a first-come / first-served basis.  

Pay Early And Save Big

Start saving now and pay off summer camp in one early payment to save a huge chunk.  Many camps offer a significant discount for early one-time payments. Just be fully aware of your summer schedule as they can also have a no-refund policy for missed weeks.

Earn Rewards

Many of us dust off our checkbook for summer camp payment, but skip writing a check and pay with a rewards credit card. Whether you have a cash back card or you’re earning hotel and travel miles, you are getting a little bit extra back from something you had to pay.  Just remember to pay it off at the end of the month!

Get a Possible Tax Credit for Day Camps

You may be able to qualify for a tax credit on any summer day camps your kids (age 13 or younger) and attend so you and your husband can both work, attend school, or look for a job. Depending on your income, you can get back up to 35% of the cost of camp up to $3,000 for one kid or $6,000 for multiple kids.

Look Into Free & City Sponsored Camps

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There are lots of different perspectives on allowances and paying kids for chores. I’m not here to change anyone’s mind; just to share what has worked for us. We don’t pay our kids an allowance, instead our view is more focused on learning how real life works.  If you want extra money you can earn it!

We don’t pay them for every chore, there are some that are required tasks assigned to each kid just because they are part of the family and we all pitch in to keep the household running. Here are the assigned chores our kids do “just because mama said so”:

• Empty and load the dishwasher
• Wash dishes (that don’t go in the dishwasher)
• Set and clear the table
• Make their beds and keep rooms clean
• Wash their own laundry, fold and put away (ages 6+)
• Clean bathrooms
• Tidy up living areas
• Gather Chicken Eggs
• Feed the Cats, Dogs and Bunny

There are other chores beyond these that I don’t mind paying for because I don’t like doing them or because it truly does help me out as their mom! Their ability to do this will depend on their age, so you’ll have to decide which of these your kids can do well (with initial help and training) and deserve to earn something for it.

9 Chores Kids Can Do to Earn Money

The chores I pay for are not vital to the everyday running of the home, but are nice for them to be done. These are the kinds of things you might actually pay someone else to do if you felt so inclined.

“Babysit” younger siblings

I have paid my older girls to babysit their younger sisters while I’m home and in another room. It is usually when I need to be able to do something without interruption, and I talk with them about how babysitting means you are actively watching and interacting with them, not being in a room reading and not paying attention!

Work in the yard

Yard work doesn’t feel quite as urgent as indoor tasks, so I’m happy to pay my kids to do certain outside tasks. Especially in the summer, it’s nice to let them be out in the heat instead of me! Some tasks that I will pay them to do outside include pulling weeds, raking leaves, and picking up sticks or pinecones so that my husband can mow the grass. What to pay: You may choose to pay per stick or for the amount of time they spend working. I tend to pay for every 30 minutes they spend in the yard working.  We’ve also done 1¢ per piece of trash or other items.  They learned the basic tenet of capitalism quickly… the harder you work the more money you can make! Read More→