Day Camp Offers Camp Benefits Close to Home

A camp experience is beneficial for a variety of reasons — camp teaches children independence, helps develop self-esteem, and allows a child to take healthy risks in a safe and nurturing environment. The experience helps many children develop authentic relationships with peers and adults, learn to be a part of the natural world, and participate in human powered activities.

But what if you have decided that a traditional resident camp isn't a good fit for your child? Is there a way to provide camp's benefits without an overnight stay? Yes, there is — day camp.

Day camp is one of many camp options available to families today. It allows for children to experience camp close to home. Perhaps a child is too young for resident camp, or perhaps scheduling does not allow for extended time away from home. Regardless of the reason, a day camp is an excellent alternative.

Just like resident camps, day camps offer a wide range of programming and activities — from sports to arts to science and education. Day camps can also offer team building activities, leadership training, and wilderness programs. It's important to find a camp program or camp activities that best suit your child.

For many families, the ideal day camp program may be closer that they think. Families can start by checking with local YMCAs, Jewish Community Centers, 4H, or city parks and recreation departments for programs close to home. Families can also use the Internet to help them locate the perfect day camp experience close to home. By visiting www.CampParents.org, parents can use the Find a Camp database to research camps by location, cost, and activities offered.

When selecting a day camp, there are important questions for parents to consider. The American Camp Association® (ACA) recommends that families use the following questions when researching day camps and speaking to the camp director:

• Is the camp accredited by ACA? If not, why not?
• Is transportation available?
• What about extended care before and after camp?
• Will the camp provide lunch?
• Are campers grouped by age, activity, or both?
• Does the price include the full range of activities?
• Are parent visits encouraged?

Even with tightening budgets, families should know that camp is still within reach. 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. Some available options include:

• 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. It's important to talk to individual camp directors about scholarship and special pricing options.
• 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) Web site 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.

Camp is critical to the education of the whole child. It is an equal opportunity life changer — teaching children and youth the skills they need to become successful adults. A positive day camp experience can teach real world skills, develop self-esteem, and help a child gain a sense of independence and community. But most of all, children will create memories that last a lifetime.