Rising prices in grocery stores and at the pump might keep many parents concerned that extras like summer camp fees won’t fit into an already tight family budget. Although some camps offer scholarships and waivers for low-income families, these are highly competitive and difficult to access.
However, before you write off camp fees as an expense you can’t possibly fit into the budget this year, consider these fundraising methods that have worked well for others in the past. With a little ingenuity and planning, you might be able to fund camp fees, the clothes your kid will pack, and even more with the help of family, friends, and your social media circle.
Crowdfunding
Websites like GoFundMe and FundRazr are great for raising summer camp funds, particularly if your family and friends are spread out across the country. If you’ve never come across crowdfunding sites like these, don’t worry, it’s really easy to get a project started on them.
First, choose the website to host your kid’s crowdfunding project. Next, upload information about the summer camp they are interested in, along with a photo of them to attach to the fundraising project. After creating the project page, you’ll be able to share it on social media or via email and text to invite family and friends to contribute.
A great thing about crowdfunding websites is they handle all of the money for you, while charging a small fee for the service. Donors will be able to contribute in small amounts or pay for the entire project, allowing family members an easy, fun way to participate.
“In lieu of” fundraising
You’ve probably seen these types of announcements on Facebook while scrolling through your feed, when someone requests donations to their favorite charity or cause in lieu of a birthday present. The same idea can work much more informally, especially if there are special days coming up, such as a birthday or graduation.
Contributions to a summer camp fund are a great suggestion to friends and family who want to send your child a birthday present or graduation gift, and you can use apps like Venmo or CashApp to receive funds and transfer them to your account. All it takes is a little planning on the front end. That, and of course an “elevator pitch” to let everyone know how they can help out most with summer camp expenses.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
A great summer camp is such a memorable part of the childhood experience, and will benefit your child mentally, physically, and socially. While it might be hard to stretch the family budget to meet the added expense, there are ways you can make it happen with little to no out-of-pocket expense.