Cost of sleepaway camp

Posted: Tue, Apr 24 2012, 9:11 pm Post subject: cost of sleepaway camp

What is the average price for a "Bais Yaakov type" sleepaway camp?

My dd decided that she must go to camp Sternberg. But I can't afford the 2499 price tag (for her age group - per month). I remember other camps being lower priced and on top of that offering a scholarship/discount as needed - which I think Sternberg wrote they will not be offering any more. Is this a typical price?

This is really stressing me out as all her friends will be going to camp.

Platinum Member Joined: Jun 30 2009 Posts: 8274

I always thought Sternberg was among the cheaper camps.

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3102

Based on where this is posted, I am assuming your daughter is a teenager. She is more than old enough to understand the concept of "we can't afford it" and that she can't necessarily have everything that "all the other kids" have.

If she's still insistent, it's time to start booking as many babysitting gigs as her time will allow. Since there's not much time between now and when camp would start, would you be able to lay out the money now and have her pay you back?

Silver Member Joined: Jan 05 2010 Posts: 526

You should try to call and ask for a discount. They do give some money off sometimes.

Posted: Tue, Apr 24 2012, 9:55 pm Post subject: re: cost of sleepaway camp

When I wanted to go to Raninu, I got a mother's helper job there so I was able to go for $350 per trip. I worked half the day, and was a camper the other half. Can you find out if your daughter can do something like this so you can get camp for cheaper?

Silver Member Joined: Dec 06 2004 Posts: 828

$2499 for one month of sleepaway camp is Inexpensive (I am holding my cool and being polite)

Sleepaway is a PRIVILEGE not something children get because they WANT it.......

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 17 2008 Posts: 3585

Posted: Wed, Apr 25 2012, 11:00 am Post subject: re: cost of sleepaway camp

This is typical of full price, but many camps will give you a discount upon request, if you have a good reason for needing it.....speak to the camp. And I second those who posted that your DD should help out with the cost.

My DD is 13 1/2 and she has earned about $500 in babysitting, which she is contributing toward her camp cost. On top of this, she pays her own canteen and trip fees. I feel that she is the biggest beneficiary of our policy with this, as she's matured alot with these added responsibilities.

Hatzlacha
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Chayalle

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 12 2009 Posts: 13338

Hatzlacha! B"H we're beyond this, and going to cheaper camps, or going as a mother's helper.
Used to be you couldn't even get into certain camps this late in the game. Chances are the mother's helpers jobs are already taken but that usually brings camp down, quite a bit. Understand though that mileage varies and in some camps, it means being a camper about 2/3 of the time, in others, it means barely having fun as a camper but hanging with staff which can have its perks.
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Posted: Wed, Apr 25 2012, 11:32 am Post subject: re: cost of sleepaway camp

Thank you for your replies. We are trying to have dd earn or pay for some of it. I just wanted to know if this price was in line with other camps - as I don't think we want to send to the most expensive camp- I'd prefer to send to one on the lower end.

Didi- your post is for a whole other topic which should be in "issues of concern to frum society". At least where I live a majority of 8th graders go, so it's really hard for a kid not to feel left out. The system makes me upset to, but I don't know what I can do about it.

Posted: Wed, Apr 25 2012, 11:45 am Post subject: re: cost of sleepaway camp

OP here, BTW, I just spoke to them, and they will not give discount or scholarship. (No I'm not entitled to it - I'm just addressing those that suggested the possibility).

Diamond Member Joined: Aug 07 2006 Posts: 2556

It's late in the season for this - maybe think about it for next year - but are there jobs at camp for the parents? Plenty of families go to camp together (or one parent with the teen), with a parent as camp doctor/nurse/specialty instructor for a few weeks, or working in the office for the whole summer.

Posted: Wed, Apr 25 2012, 12:08 pm Post subject: re: cost of sleepaway camp

I think having your dd pay for part of it is a great idea. Either by working one month and going to camp the other, or starting now to babysit. Or both.

Executive Member Joined: Nov 08 2011 Posts: 260

Sternberg, Mogen Av, Heller are now under new management/ownership (I believe for two years or so) and are not the federation camps they used to be which offered large scholarships. These camps do not have any additional fees except for canteen - no tipping policy (which makes visiting day far more affordable) and no transportation to/from camp fee and no luggage fee (which can be around $80 per child).
Try Camp Malka as I do believe they are cheaper - although I am sure their price will go up as they are still a relatively new camp.

Posted: Wed, Apr 25 2012, 5:18 pm Post subject: re: cost of sleepaway camp

I appreciate reading all your replies. thank you!

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48223

Girls don't go to camp that many years. If she's already a teenager, chances are that she will be working in the summer pretty soon. This summer may put you into debt, but it may be one of the last times.

And what would she be doing if she weren't away at camp ?

Posted: Wed, Apr 25 2012, 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: re: cost of sleepaway camp

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 12 2009 Posts: 13338

Executive Member Joined: Jan 30 2008 Posts: 259

If this is her first time going to sleep away camp you should look into the grant given by one happy camper org. http://www.jewishcamp.org//one-happy-camper/
they give $1000 towards a child's first camp experience.
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