| ign="center"> | | | | most expensive options. Local summer camps, |
| The kids love going to engaging activities in summer | | | | particularly those operated by charitable or non-profit |
| and meet new friends. Parents love having a few | | | | organizations may not buy publicity, but that is one |
| weeks of peace and quiet. It's no wonder summer | | | | reason they can cost a lot less. If you really need to |
| camps have retained their population for several | | | | cut prices, consider a day-camp solution. A |
| decades. Summer camp may seem like a perfect | | | | "days-only" operation is the thriftiest cheap |
| move for your family, but there might be a problem: | | | | summer camp plan. |
| the cost. | | | | Other savings steps include requesting a camp |
| Planning to have a childless summer on the cheap? | | | | scholarship, sometimes referred to as a |
| Summer camp costs can make that very difficult. | | | | "campership." Many camps will extend |
| High-end specialty camps can cost as much as ten | | | | low-cots opportunities to children who would otherwise |
| thousand dollars. Even general-interest camps of | | | | be unable to attend. Partial and full |
| shorter durations often cost thousands. Finding a | | | | "camperships" are frequently available. |
| cheap summer camp with which you will be | | | | Parents should also be aware that Uncle Sam can |
| comfortable is very difficult. | | | | help turn their children's summer break into a cheap |
| There are a few solutions. One can approach the | | | | summer camp experience. Those who have children in |
| problem from two directions--they can search out the | | | | camp in order to maintain their gainful employment are |
| best possible deal among appropriate camps and they | | | | eligible for a tax break related to the expense of the |
| can take proactive steps to decrease the cost of | | | | camp. |
| almost any camp. Optimally, both strategies will be | | | | It may not be easy to create a cheap summer camp |
| used in the quest for a cheap summer camp. | | | | experience, but it is possible to hold down expenses. |
| Finding a less expensive camp requires some | | | | By finding the right camp and investigating cost-savings |
| research. The best advertised and marketed camps | | | | measures, your family can enjoy the advantages of a |
| are probably the ones with which you are most | | | | summer camp experience at a reduced price. |
| familiar, and those operations are often among the | | | | |