Summer camps are not cheap. Why are they so expensive?

I think prices have risen so much and that includes equipment, facilities, food, insurance for the kids and other necessities. Plus, don't forget the trainers' fees. Though there are other fees which are ridiculous and should indeed be questioned.

It is up to you and Matt as parents to decide what you want for his future and not just right now. What I am trying to say is that, if you want him to excel at sports, then this would be good for him. Maybe he can be a pro ball player one day. If I were a parent, I would only invest my money in things that would help my child now and in the long run. The age that Maddy is now is the perfect time to start molding him into what you want him to be in the future. No need to be pushy or obsessive, but if I am going to invest $175.00 for 20 hours, it is going to have to be something that will benefit him long in the future. One thing good about this kind of thing is that it will help to build his confidence in sports and other areas. There will come a time when school sports will be mandatory and having a head start never hurt no body. I am just helping you to make the decission, I am not qualified to make it for you.

We do have some summer sessions like this sweet and I know that some of them are very expensive but this one does sound very expensive for just 4 mornings! I wonder if there are any other such camps around that you could compare the price to? Our church runs a holiday club the last week of the holidays where kids get to play games, sports, draw have competitions all sorts of things and they get snacks - all for the grand total of £1 for the week! lol I just wish I could volunteer this year! xxx

That's about right. I guess it depends on the area you live. I put my 7 year old in gymnastics camp. It was for five days 9 - 1, with three hours of gymnastics, then lunch and one hour of swimming a day. It cost $150. Then I know the all day camps are very high also. I have a friend who has two that she has to put in for the summer, so she can work and it is about $1200 a month. Ugh!

Hi There, I think it is basically the same as anything...if it is in demand the prices will increase. As the summer approaches and everyone will have the kids home, the push is on to keep them occupied and the demand for these camps goes through the roof. I think there are some real good ones though depending upon where you look. cheers,

I sounds about right. I think they have to carry some sort of insurance as well because it's impact sports. And then there are equipment costs.

It sounds a wee bit steep to me, but I have never sent my kids to sports camp. I sent one daughter to overnight camp two years in a row and it was hard on us financially (over $300) but I felt it was best for her well-being. The same with playing outdoor (and indoor) soccer and Taekwondo. The Taekwondo costs an arm and a leg (over $600 a year) but it has done wonders for her self-esteem and physical well-being. She has a shelf full of trophies and medals. The soccer, especially rep, is really expensive especially when you consider driving. This is the first year my girls are in it but one got off free (scholarship-like). But they are still asking for money - now for warm-up suits and to contribute to the purchase of a tent for the sidelines at games (protection from the elements). It cost $140 to register my 15yo for house league soccer but when she made the rep team I had to pay another $185. Now they want $100 for the warm-up suit and $13 for the tent. Although my girls are enjoying rep soccer, they would rather go back to playing house league next year. So would I as it was an easy predictable routine. When my daughters went to Bible Camp at our church (half days for one week) it was only $15 per child. But that was church. Sports camp is a bigger deal, certainly more equipment and paid staff involved (church is all volunteers). If you can afford it I think you should send him. I don't believe in involving my children in too many activities, but I do believe they need to stay active (especially over a long, boring summer) for health reasons and the interaction with other children and the skills they gain. Plus at that camp, your son will get to try a variety of sports and see what he likes best. My 15yo has been in Taekwondo for several years. She tried house league basketball this winter but didn't care for it. She tried gymnastics first for a few years (before Taekwondo) but realized she just didn't have the physique to accomplish certain things. She has settled on TK and soccer. My 11yo tried gymnastics and bowling, also did house league basketball this winter and won't do it again, and has settled on soccer. And, she is amazing at it!!!We have put a lot of money towards our kids' activities (but they don't get an allowance) and we can't afford it financially but I feel we really can't afford NOT to do it. It's the best thing for the kids, something to get excited about, something to look forward to, something that builds their self-esteem and keeps them physically active. (I had such a boring, lonely childhood) I know your son is younger than my girls but exposure to different things over a period of time will help him find his niche. If you can afford it, go for it!

Don't even tell me about camp prices! LOL Every single camp in my area is at least 350 dollars for five days. It is absolutely ridiculous what they charge!!!! While I think summer camp is great, I decided that we would just do our own version at home.

I was trying to convert it into GBPs in my head, and I would class it as being expensive for that yeah. I actually thought that it was for them actually staying for the four days, you know like proper camping, but just for 5 hours a day, I would have immediately tried to talk mine out of it!! Or taught them myself, my kids school does fun club during the hols, and they can go for a few hours or a whole day. Mine have asked a few times if they can go and so I took a look at the itinery and the price, for them to go for the day it would cost £20.00 around $40 and the best part about that is they do not even get a dinner for that, they have to take a packed lunch... the cheek! I have 2 kids who would go and so it would cost me £40 ($80) for one day. I cannot afford that. I could take them out for the day myself and spend less and give them a good dinner into the bargain!!

Hi, maddysmommy, Well, I think they just want to earn more money from you and hopefully they organized a wonderful summer camp. Otherwise, sure I'll complaint them alot.