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Summer
Camp Enrollment Expected to Remain
Strong for Summer ‘08
How is the economy affecting enrollment
at summer camps?
While no one yet knows the extent of a
possible economic slowdown, it certainly
seems possible that many American families
may be faced with budgetary challenges
this year.
In spite of this economic uncertainty,
the American Camp Association® (ACA),
which represents over 7,000 camp and youth
development professionals nationwide, predicts
that overall camp enrollment numbers for
this summer will remain strong.
"This is consistent with what the
camp community has seen in other challenging
times," says Peg L. Smith, ACA's
chief executive officer. "Parents
and children believe deeply in the value
of the camp experience – and their
passion for what camp provides grows every
year."
In a survey last fall of over 2,400 camps
accredited by ACA, over half the camps
responding (55 percent) said that the 2007
summer season was one of their best in
the previous five years. More specifically,
over one-third (34 percent) said that the
2007 summer season was their highest enrollment
of the previous five years.
According to Smith, "As you'd expect,
the dollar parents spend on their children
is the last one they cut from their budgets.
Parents will find a way not to cut that
last dollar in order to provide their children
with the opportunity to experience what
we know as an important rite of passage – childhood."
How can parents still find affordable
camp options for the summer?
- Remember that it's not too late
to enroll your child. Many
camps are very affordable, and camps
are still accepting campers.
- Research your choices. Parents
seeking information about choosing camps – including
costs – can visit ACA's family-oriented
Web site, www.CampParents.org.
The site includes a searchable database
of over 2,400 ACA-Accredited® camps,
where families can search by many variables,
including location, activities, and length
of session, as well as cost.
- Ask about financial assistance. Ninety
percent of camps offer some sort of financial
assistance to families, usually in the
form of "camperships." Camperships
can cover a portion or all of the camp
enrollment fees. Parents should
always ask the camp if assistance is
available. Although camperships
are usually awarded based on need, parents
should not automatically assume that
their income level doesn't qualify — they
should ask.
- Review the potential tax savings
you may quality for. Day
camp can be tax-free. The Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) allows an income
tax credit of dependent care expenses,
which may apply to qualifying day camp
expenses as well. Parents can
visit the IRS's
Web site for more information about
the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. A
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
allows parents to be reimbursed on
a pre-tax basis for certain child care
or adult dependent care expenses. See
the FSA
Feds Web site for more information.
Parents and families can still take advantage
of the many camp options that are available
and plan for camp's unique learning experience
this summer.
Contact Jane Rulon at 765.349.3317 or pr@ACAcamps.org to
interview an ACA
spokesperson for more information on the ways the camp experience
enhances the lives of children, teens, and adults.
Also, for customizable public
service announcements or article
reprints, visit our Media
Center.
About ACA
The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance
the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs
ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally
challenging learning opportunities. ACA is the only national organization that accredits camps. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps
that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.
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