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The American Camp Association (ACA) believes that the benefits
of the camp experience are priceless, but we also realize that
parents' pockets aren't bottomless. However,
there is a camp for every child and every budget, and we want to
show you the opportunities available.
Finding out how to afford camp is easy—and there's
plenty of help.
The bottom line about camp costs is that there's a camp for
just about every budget. Fees range from $75 to more than $650
per week for ACA-accredited resident and day camps. For example,
did you know that these options are available:
Assistance offered from camps:
- Camps offer special discounts—for everything
from early registration, full-season, or multiple enrollments
from one family.
- Many camps offer "camperships"—partial
or total scholarships and financial assistance. Parents
shouldn't assume their income doesn't qualify.
Assistance offered from the U.S. government:
- Parents should inquire into 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.
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