Kids heading to summer camp? Here’s what Merced County parents should know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Day camps cost less than overnight programs.
- Early registration and late-season enrollment may yield savings and discounts.
- Parents should compare staff ratios, pricing, and accreditation when choosing camps.
The time before kids head off to summer camp can be filled with stress and questions as parents attempt to balance their options and deadlines.
We asked summer camp experts what to consider when choosing a camp for a child.
What are some camps in Merced?
Merced College offers part-day classes including swimming, sports, cooking and theater, from June 9 through July 31. The classes cost between $60 and $100.
UC Merced offers two-day, three-day and one-week STEM programs through July 25. Prices range from $60 to $150.
The Boys and Girls Club is running summer camp from June 9 through Aug 1. Camps cost $75 per child per week, there also is a $20 annual membership fee. Camp themes include welcome to the jungle and under the sea.
What categories of summer camp are out there?
The biggest categories are overnight and day camps, with overnight camps costing significantly more because of the cost of food, staff time and insurance.
Other subcategories of camps include STEM, sports and religious camps, according to Martin Soto, who runs Summer Camp Hub, a summer camp consulting company.
When do I need to start looking at summer camps?
Camps can open registration as early as the fall beforehand, according to Henry DeHart, interim president and CEO of the American Camp Association.
Some options in Merced such as 4-H camp and the Merced City School District summer academy have closed registration, but Soto said larger camps may still have spots open a few weeks prior to their start date.
How can I distinguish between camps?
DeHart wrote in a statement to the Merced Sun-Star that parents should ask about “counselor to camper ratios, staff training, program information, and whether they are ACA-accredited.”
The ratio of campers to staff is especially important for camps near water features, Soto said.
Budget can also play a significant role in camp choice with day camps costing significantly less than overnight camps.
What is the cost of a summer camp?
The average cost of day camp is $87.23 per day and the average cost of overnight camp is $172.92 per day according to the ACA’s 2022 survey of 189 of its members. The ACA wrote on its website that the location, length and ownership of the program, can impact their cost.
For overnight camps, families can expect added costs from supplies that campers are expected to bring.
How can I save money on summer camp?
Signing up during periods of lower demand can lead to savings according to Soto. He said early-bird specials may be available especially for overnight camps. On the opposite end, Soto said camps may lower prices for sessions later in the summer if they have difficulty filling spots.
DeHart said there can be discounts for enrolling for a whole season or for multiple children.
Some camps may also provide scholarships or need-based aid on a first-come-first-serve basis and the ACA wrote that camps may offer payment plans or sliding price scales.
Do Merced schools offer summer school?
Registration is closed for the Merced City School District but there is a link to join a waitlist. The summer academy runs from June 9 to July 25.