As the school year has passed the halfway point, it’s time to start thinking about what to do with the kids over the summer. Sending your kiddos to summer camp has a lot of pluses because with work schedules, every day can’t be a day trip or a playdate.
Thankfully, there are a lot of options when it comes to finding the ideal summer camp for your children. The biggest issue, though, is often the cost. Sure, those day and sleepaway camps look amazing, but it’s important to know how much summer camp will cost before signing up.
The cost of summer camp typically depends on the type of camp you want to send your child to. Day camps will be more cost-effective options than sleepaway camps. If there are multiple children going to summer camp, then it’s vital to figure out what the amount will do to the family budget. Not all of them offer sibling discounts. So, let’s take a look at what most parents can expect to pay for camp this summer.
How much summer camp will cost
According to a February 2025 survey among parents by Nerdwallet, around 25% of parents plan on enrolling their kiddos in camp this summer, with a price tag of about $2,000 per child. Now, don’t freak out yet. Remember, there are many different options when it comes to summer camps. Day camps are definitely a more budget-friendly way to go than sleepaway camps, but it also depends on the type of camp your child wants to go to and for how long. So, let’s start with the most cost-effective summer camp options.
Day camps
Day camps are always a great option for kids because the price tag isn’t as steep. There are also all different types of day camps, from arts and crafts and sports to STEAM and STEM. Day camp prices can run anywhere from $40 a week to $1,500 a week. A day camp run by your local recreation department is always a great pick. The prices are affordable and it’s close by. Since these programs are less expensive than other, larger day camps offering more amenities, they often fill up quickly.
Most town recreational day camps typically charge anywhere from $40 to $100 a week and are often half-day camps. Local recreational day camps offering full-day camp programs can run anywhere from $150 a week and up. Some private day camp prices with a full array of activities, amenities, and trips can cost anywhere from $1,000 a week and more.
Eagles Landing is a popular private day camp in New Jersey. Kids can go to Eagles Landing for a minimum of two weeks and up to eight. Two weeks of camp at Eagles Landing for a first through fourth grader will cost $4,420 and eight weeks will be $6,800.
When you’re planning your budget for summer camp, remember to think about extras. If you need before or after care, that will cost more. Sometimes the cost of trips leaving the camp are added into the price, but sometimes they’re extra. Transportation to and from camp is another cost to consider. Busing to and from camp is extra as opposed to driving your child.
Sleepaway camps
Sleepaway camps are another option for kids over the summer and they also come in many different types. There are the classic summer sleepaway camps like in The Parent Trap and ones geared toward sports or education. These camps will most certainly come with a larger price tag. According to summercamp.com, the average cost of a sleepaway camp for a week can be around $3,200 per camper. Depending on the location, you will need to factor in the cost of getting your child to and from camp.
Summer camp has a lot of pluses for kids, whether it’s a day camp or a sleepaway camp. Keeping children occupied does come with a price tag, though. So, when you’re considering camps for kids, it’s vital to know how much summer camp will cost. According to the 2025 Nerdwallet study, 17% of people will end up in debt because of summer camp. Once you know the cost of summer camp, take a look at your budget and plan ahead. It’s also prudent to start thinking about summer camps during the spring. Remember those cost-effective rec camps run by your town fill up fast and many open up registration now.
