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The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Summer camp scramble: US families need it, but it can cost as much as a month's rent
Summer camp had already begun for Tasmiha Khan's two sons when a work contract unexpectedly ended. Money was suddenly tight for the freelance communications strategist – and the $1,300 price for the school district's months-long summer camp became unaffordable. Khan had no choice but to pull her children out early. To give them an enriching summer, Khan tried a few alternatives. An Arabic immersion program still had spots open, but Khan wasn't impressed. She occasionally takes them to swim lessons at a local community college for just $38 per child per week. But she has to be present for those twice-weekly, 35-minute sessions – which doesn't give her much-needed time to work. 'Honestly, America's not sustainable for parents,' Khan said. 'I'm leaning on grandma to help out because I'm very much burnt out.' When school's out for summer, working parents of K-12 children face an annual high-stakes and often high-cost scramble to cobble together activities. The result is 'a really undercovered and also underfunded aspect of our safety net', according to journalist Katherine Goldstein, mother of three and the creator of The Double Shift newsletter on parenting. Fifty-five percent of all K-12 children, an estimated 30 million, participated in at least one form of summer enrichment program in 2024, according to that year's National Summer Learning Association-American Camp Association summer experiences survey. But only 38% of children in lower-income families ($50,000 or less annually) did so, compared to 67% of children in upper-income households ($100,000 or more). The solution for many families is to keep children at home and rely on friends and family to provide care. But camp can provide vital opportunities for socialization, learning and healthy food. Over six out of 10 lower income parents surveyed in 2024 wanted their children to have a camp experience. Yet, a third of US parents said that camp was financially out of reach. 'The kids who would most benefit from programming during the summer and having a safe place to be are not the ones who are going to summer camp,' Goldstein said. The US summer camp dates to approximately 150 years ago when wealthy families sent their children away from polluted cities to experience fresh air and outdoor activities, according to American Camp Association interim president and CEO, Henry DeHart. In the last 20 years, 'the biggest change is the rise in the interest in day camp', he said. Local day camps and weekly enrichment courses combined to make up 42% of the programs cited in the 2024 survey, compared to only 11% for overnight camp. Information about the cost of summer activities is hard to come by; it can vary widely according to the type of camp and location. However, the American Camp Association estimates that day camps cost between $73-87 per day per child, with overnight camps ranging from $150-173. Goldstein, a resident of Durham, North Carolina, calculated what nine weeks of camp would cost for her three children this year. It came to $10,000. Even for her upper middle-class family, a season of camp requires careful budgeting to afford. DeHart said that 93% of camps offer financial assistance. One such camp is Urban Roots in downtown Reno, Nevada, which runs eight- and nine-week programs for children aged five to 14 at its teaching farm and kitchen. Thirty percent of all slots go to scholarship students, offered on a sliding scale, said Jenny Angius, executive director of development and operations. The cost this year is $295 per child per week, or $2,655 for all nine weeks. The average rent in Reno is $1,950 per month. The scholarships can cover more than just tuition, such as camp supplies or even transportation support. All children receive free breakfast and lunch. This summer, Urban Roots also implemented payment plans through the end of the year 'so it doesn't feel like it's such a big hit for families, especially if they're coming multiple weeks or if they're sending multiple children', Angius said. Cost is not the only barrier, however. Many day camps do not run as long as the traditional workday. As a primarily outdoor camp, Urban Roots begins at 7.30am but ends at 2.30pm, in part to avoid the worst of the summer heat. This summer is the first in its 15 years of operation that it has received funding to provide extended care inside – but only until 4pm. Camps also rarely run all summer, requiring 'a huge amount of mental load and logistics', in Goldstein's words, to put together a summer's worth of programming. It starts with registration. Goldstein knows of public programs in Durham that fill up within two minutes of registration opening. Last year, Khan, the Chicago-area mother, and a friend texted each other reminders to set alarms for 10am on the day camp registration opened to claim spots. Since 2022, Emily Popek has created a public spreadsheet listing all area programs in and around New York's Otsego county, where she lives with her husband and daughter. This year, it categorizes 67 programs by number of weeks, age group and registration date. While that sounds like a wealth of options, only four of those programs run longer than a week. 'Every summer has just been this patchwork of care,' Popek said. And the Oneonta Boys and Girls Club program used to be free but started charging $100 per child per week this year. 'Daycare was a second mortgage for us,' Popek said. 'The cost of summer programs is basically comparable to that.' Popek's research inspired her to write an open letter to local officials in 2024 asking why no municipal or school district programs existed. She also surveyed more than 40 local parents about their summer camp struggles. By her count, 87% listed scheduling as a barrier – the same number who listed cost. A comparable number, 82%, reported taking off work to cover summer childcare. Forty-one percent of parents brought their children to work. 'The narrative from our community leaders is that their top priority is to make this a great place to raise a family,' Popek said. '[That] doesn't just mean that we have a splash pad and some pretty banners hanging on Main Street … It means we have to invest in the infrastructure that actually supports families.' Melissa Petro, whose seven-year-old son Oscar has generalized anxiety disorder and pathological demand avoidance, said: 'Camps won't even enroll kids like mine.' Her son needs a one-on-one aide. 'He's going to create havoc if he doesn't have supervision,' she said. But camps won't pay for or provide that service, and Petro estimates it would require at minimum $5,000. So Petro and her husband become camp counselors for the six weeks his outdoor therapeutic school is closed. Because Oscar thrives outside, they usually visit the school campus. They take long hikes. He swims in the manmade pond and climbs trees. He makes art. But he misses out on the peer socialization he needs. For those six weeks, Petro and her husband are essentially out of work. Last year, Petro had a book release in September but spent August with Oscar rather than working on promotion. 'Your whole life ends up revolving around accommodating your child,' she said. Anecdotal data suggests that parents are feeling the economic pinch even more this year. 'Day camps have started to fill a little bit more slowly,' DeHart said, noting that this is the first drop in enrollment rate since the pandemic. Many parents are turning their shared struggles into communal support. Khan recently invited an old friend and her two-year-old daughter over for dinner and a trip to a nearby park. Her sons loved playing with the toddler, and Khan's friend got some relief from parenting burnout. Popek has found carpool partners while talking to other parents. 'Being in community with other families has been the most uplifting thing for me,' she said. Goldstein is trying something new this summer. With the $10,000 she would have spent for camp, plus the $4,000 cost of a week at a state beach, she has created her own program. For the first half of the summer, a trusted babysitter is watching the children at home. Then, the family will spend five weeks in Costa Rica, including a month-long camp for the same price as a week-long program at home. 'I don't see my solution as a systemic [one],' Goldstein stressed, noting that both she and her husband work at home under flexible conditions. 'It's more of an experiment within the confines of a broken system,' she said. As Popek said: 'No one's coming to save us. We have to do it ourselves.'
The Hill
5 days ago
- General
- The Hill
Camp Mystic not accredited nationally, eight others in Kerr County are
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The words 'American Camp Association Accredited' are what several parents tell KXAN investigators they look for before deciding on a summer camp. 'I have personally considered ACA accreditation a must for considering a camp for my own kids to attend,' one parent wrote to KXAN, adding that he likes the numerous checks around safety measures. The American Camp Association, or ACA, is a nationwide voluntary accreditation program for day and overnight camps across the country. The association said 76 camps operating across Texas are accredited, including eight in Kerr County, but not Camp Mystic. The all-girls Christian summer camp lost more than two dozen campers and counselors after the deadly Independence day flooding on the Guadalupe River. 'Our mission is to support those that operate camps, to advance practices around health, safety, risk management and program quality and so, you know, our hallmark program around that is our accreditation program, which is the only set of national standards around health and safety for camps,' explained Henry DeHart, interim president and CEO of ACA out of Indiana. DeHart added that the association encourages camps to work with local emergency responders and allow them to review safety measures. He said to become accredited, which includes annual fees, a team is sent to work with each camp and review safety practices in detail. According to ACA, there are an estimated 20,000 camps nationwide. DeHart explained more than 2,300 have the ACA accreditation. 'We have standards specifically around, 'Do you have an emergency plan, and have you thought through all of your location-specific potential risks around that emergency plan? Have you trained your staff around it, and do you rehearse it before campers get there? And so, what is your communication plan in a crisis? Oftentimes cell services are down, so do you have a backup plan?'' DeHart explained. Camp Mystic, which is licensed by the state, is a member of the Camping Association for Mutual Progress, or C.A.M.P. The state association said online that its goal is to 'raise health and safety standards for all camps.' KXAN investigators reached out to C.A.M.P leaders, but they have not yet been able to provide details about safety standards. 'Our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating floods in Kerr County. We are deeply saddened by the loss of so many in our state, and our camping community,' said a recent post on the C.A.M.P. website. The post further explained that the association does not govern or accredit camps and members are regulated by the state. Additionally, it said C.A.M.P. serves as a resource for education and support to strengthen the camp community through the spirit of cooperation, collaboration and the collection of ideas. 'The safety and well-being of every camper is, and always will be, the top priority of camps,' said the post. 'Right now, our focus is on supporting the camps, campers, and families impacted by this heartbreaking event. We also remain ready to work closely with state and local leaders to ensure every child who visits our camps is safe, supported, and cared for.' State inspection reports for Camp Mystic obtained by KXAN investigators show the camp had just finished its annual inspection two days before the deadly flash flood. The Department of State Health Services found the camp had the required emergency plans, including written ones in case of a disaster. The state agency said youth camps are required to have those plans posted clearly in every building. DSHS reviews emergency plans onsite during an annual inspection. Camp Mystic has yet to respond to emails asking for comment. ACA said this is a good time for camps to review emergency procedures and see if there are any details which need to be tweaked. DeHart added if parents are feeling anxious, they should ask about what happens if the camp has to be evacuated and how the camp will stay in touch with local emergency service teams, especially if cell service is down. 'Parents have reasonable questions right now,' DeHart said. 'All across the country, camps are proactively trying to reach out and connect with parents, help them understand the planning that they have done, the procedures they have in place.' He urges parents to reach out to their camps directly and learn more about emergency plans in place including communication with families during a disaster. 'I worked at camps in North Carolina, so we had to worry about hurricanes. We actually had to evacuate for a hurricane once, but we had all of those things in place. We had busses, we had location, we had supervision, we had a way to feed the campers. So, parents can ask questions like that, and camps will be eager to share those details with the parents,' he said. DeHart said a team has already met with Texas Sen. John Cornyn about ways to support Texas camps during this time. He added that it's been encouraging how other camps have stepped up and are willing to help. He's heard stories of camps offering to take in campers from impacted areas saying, 'We have some open spaces. Let us work with your parents to get your campers to our camp … so your camper still get a camp experience.'
New York Times
11-07-2025
- General
- New York Times
Camp Mystic Owners' Legacy: ‘If You're a Camper, You Know Who They Are'
For generations of girls at Camp Mystic, Dick Eastland was a fixture of the landscape — like the high rocky bluff with the big 'Mystic' sign that welcomed campers, or the Guadalupe River winding through the cypress trees. Mr. Eastland, the camp's executive director, had moved to its grounds in the Texas Hill Country in the 1970s with his wife, Willetta, who everyone calls Tweety. Mr. Eastland, 70, died there on July 4, after his truck was swept into the river as flash floods pushed through the camp in the middle of the night. Twenty-seven campers and counselors also died in the flood, according to Camp Mystic. Kerr County officials said on Thursday that five campers and one counselor were still missing. State inspectors approved the camp's disaster safety plan just days before the flood. But multiple cabins lay within the river's flood zones, including the structures where the camp opted to house its youngest campers. Teenage counselors were left to communicate with flashlights and screams as the waters quickly rose. Unlike several other summer camps along that stretch of the river, Mystic was not accredited by the American Camp Association, a national body that maintains standards on camp safety and emergency preparedness. Parents of children who died have not spoken publicly about the Eastlands, and lawsuits are all but certain to follow. For now, many Mystic alumni, counselors and even parents of campers who survived the horrors at the Christian girls' camp have continued to express fierce loyalty to the Eastlands. For many, to doubt the family's judgment would be to question everything they held dear about the place, including the joyful childhood memories and the network of ambitious, accomplished women who make up the Mystic alumni network. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
11-07-2025
- Health
What to know about camp safety: Key questions for parents after Texas flooding
The deadly flooding that swept through Central Texas last week has left at least 121 people dead and raised widespread concerns about summer camp safety as families across the U.S. send their children to overnight and day camps. Kerr County was the hardest-hit area, with 95 confirmed deaths. Among them are 27 individuals, both campers and counselors, from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls located along the Guadalupe River. Officials say floodwaters from the rapidly rising river engulfed the camp in the early morning hours of July 4, destroying cabins and leaving several people still unaccounted for. "Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy," Camp Mystic said in a statement. "We are praying for them constantly." As rescue operations continue, pediatricians, parents and camp experts say the tragedy underscores the importance of understanding the safety protocols in place at youth camps, particularly those operating in remote or weather-sensitive locations. "I'm definitely more nervous than I was before," Dana Riley, a mother of two from Des Moines, Iowa, whose 11-year-old daughter is currently away at a two-week sleepaway camp in Minnesota, told "Good Morning America." "You just assume these camps are prepared for everything. But now I realize I never really asked what they would do in an emergency." What to ask in advance Dr. Lyndsey Garbi, M.D., co-founder and chief medical officer at Blueberry Pediatrics, told "GMA" that it is "essential to approach camp selection with the same level of scrutiny you would give to any environment responsible for your child's well-being." "That includes asking about counselor training, emergency protocols, medical access and how staff respond to physical and emotional challenges," Garbi said. Garbi outlined several areas parents should ask about before choosing a camp, or even mid-season: Counselor qualifications and supervision: What is the camper-to-counselor ratio? What training do counselors receive, and who oversees them? Water safety protocols: Are certified lifeguards on duty? Are flotation devices required for boating or open water activities? Medical response: Is a licensed health care provider on-site? What's the process for handling illness or injury, and how quickly are parents notified? Emotional and social safety: How does the camp prevent bullying and support inclusion among campers? "Trust in camp leadership is earned through transparency, structure, and a proven track record of prioritizing child wellbeing," Garbi said. What to look for in a camp's emergency plan The American Camp Association sets national standards, but not all camps follow them. "ACA accreditation is a voluntary process, separate from state licensing, through which camps agree to comply with ACA's national standards for health, safety, and risk management," Henry DeHart, interim president and CEO of the American Camp Association, told "GMA" via email. "Accreditation involves an in-depth review of policies and an on-site visit by trained ACA volunteers," he continued. "ACA accreditation addresses creation, training, and rehearsal of emergency plans for a broad range of emergencies, including natural disasters." Accredited camps undergo an on-site visit at least once every five years, DeHart said, to assess compliance with 266 standards related to health, safety and program quality, including emergency preparedness. Between visits, camps must file annual statements confirming continued compliance. "Ask if the camp is ACA-accredited," DeHart advised parents seeking safety information. "Additionally, parents should research the camp online and speak with camp directors about any potential concerns they may have, asking specifically about the camp's emergency plans and safety training. Parents may also want to ask about a camp's proximity to first responders, as well as the camp's practices around communication and collaboration with their local emergency response providers prior to camp season." Support and resources following the Texas tragedy In response to the devastation in Texas, the ACA has compiled guidance and ways to assist. "The American Camp Association (ACA) has created a page of resources and various ways to help the Texas Hill Country in the wake of the devastating floods," DeHart said. "Additionally, ACA offers year-round resources to camp professionals in the areas of health, safety, risk management, youth development, program quality and more." The organization also supports mental health and emotional well-being through its accreditation process. "An accredited camp will have a process for assessing and supporting campers with mental, emotional, or social health needs," DeHart said. "ACA standards require the camp to have a designated staff member or team responsible for this kind of oversight, establishing written protocols for responding to mental health concerns as well as determining when referrals to professional support may be necessary," he continued, emphasizing that "ACA-accredited camps are required to actively protect and promote campers' emotional and mental well-being." "Through accreditation, a camp can best implement thoughtful policies, keep well-trained staff, and structure sound prevention strategies," he added. "This commitment reflects ACA's belief that safety includes the heart, mind, and body." How to plan for camp/child communication The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends parents ask a number of questions before choosing a summer camp: Severe weather protocols: How does the camp monitor for emergencies like flash floods, wildfires, or extreme heat? Is there an evacuation plan in place? Access to emergency services: Is there a relationship with local hospitals or EMS? How long would it take for a child to receive medical care? Daily safety routines: What is the sunscreen policy? How are transitions between activities supervised? While many camps have protocols in place, Garbi said they are not always standardized or well-communicated. "Camps should have systems for both the predictable, like injuries or homesickness, and the unexpected, like natural disasters," she said. "And they should be able to clearly explain those systems to families." Addressing children's concerns after the Texas tragedy Garbi said young campers who are aware of the Texas flooding may feel scared or unsettled, and parents should respond with honesty and reassurance. "Start by asking what they've heard and how they feel about it," she said. "Then explain that while what happened was tragic, it was also extremely rare, and their camp is working hard to keep them safe." She recommends giving children practical tools, such as identifying a safe adult to talk to, taking a break when overwhelmed, and knowing how to ask for help if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. As recovery efforts continue in Texas, many parents are reexamining the safety policies of camps their children attend. Experts say the most effective response is to seek clarity, not to panic, but to ensure that the environments children spend time in are prepared, responsive and communicative. "Camp can be a place for growth and independence," Garbi said. "But that only happens when the right support structures are in place."
10-07-2025
- General
Heroics of Texas camp counselors cast spotlight on those who oversee millions of US kids each summer
As floodwaters rose in Texas, camp counselors hoisted children onto rafters, carried them to dry ground and sang with them to keep them calm. Some died trying to keep their campers safe. These heroics have cast a spotlight on the people who fill these roles. Often teenagers, some just a year or two removed from being a camper themselves, counselors are a staple of the summer camp experience for the more than 25 million children whom the American Camp Association estimates attend camp annually. 'Thank goodness for the brave counselors," said Keli Rabon, a Houston mother whose 7- and 9-year-old sons were rescued from Camp La Junta. She said the counselors who saved them were 'really just kids themselves.' More than 160 people still are believed to be missing, and at least 118 have died in the floods that laid waste to the Hill Country region of Texas. The riverbanks and hills of Kerr County are filled with vacation cabins, youth camps and campgrounds, including Camp Mystic, the century-old all-girls Christian summer camp where at least 27 campers and counselors died. Officials said five campers and one counselor from the camp have still not been found. Texas inspectors signed off on Camp Mystic's emergency planning just two days before the catastrophic flooding. The specifics of the plan weren't released, but under state law it had to include instructing campers what to do if they need to evacuate and assigning specific duties to each staff member and counselor. Henry DeHart, interim president and CEO of the American Camp Association, said counselors typically receive training in areas such as risk management, emergency procedures, child development, abuse prevention, and supervision. Over the years, they've stepped in during emergencies, from wildfires to medical crises, while grabbing few headlines, he said. 'What happened in Texas is a profound reminder of the immense responsibility camp counselors carry and how seriously they take that duty,' he said. As Helen Hardymon watches the news stories about Texas, the 19-year-old wonders what she would have done if the tragedy had struck her camp, Westview on the James. The summer camp sits on a portion of the James River about a 40-minute drive from downtown Richmond, Virginia. 'On paper, yeah, I'm prepared,' she said. 'I know the protocol. I know our meeting place. I knew who to call, who to radio. But in the moment, especially with an environmental concern or emergency, like, it is so unpredictable.' There has been a lot of rain this summer, and she knows what it is like when kids are cold and wet. Her campers had just gone to bed as she spoke. They had to miss their evening showers in the bathhouse because there was so much thunder. They were calm, but she has seen worried kids cry or simply shut down. 'It reaches a point, an emotional point that they might have never experienced without a parent there,' said Hardymon, now in the hiring process to become a firefighter. Hardymon's training started two week before campers arrived. The camp used to make the first week of training optional, a time to certify people as lifeguards or to work the zip line. But starting this year, both weeks become mandatory to cover all the material, which ranges from homesickness to how to safely put a child into a harness for the high-ropes course, said Camp Director Anthony Gomez. The training can start years earlier. Gomez said many camps — his included — offer programs to turn campers into counselors. Hardymon, herself a former camper, is an example. In some places, young teens pay a discounted rate to attend a counselor-in-training program. The teens then might work at the camp part-time or volunteer for a few more summers, the tasks assigned to them gradually increasing before they become full-fledged counselors. 'They are back at the camp that they love, they are participating in the program, but now their participation has shifted into paying this forward onto the next generation of folks,' Gomez said. By the time they are in senior, paid positions, most are in college and deeply rooted in their camp's culture, said Barry Garst, a former camp director of several years and current professor of youth development at Clemson University. 'They understand your expectations for supporting youth, understand the camp's mission and philosophy,' Garst said. 'It's a lot harder to teach those things as opposed to having individuals come into the program that already understand it.' Jim Sibthorp, a professor at the University of Utah who researches summer camps, said one of the things that makes these camp counselors so powerful is that they are seen as closer to peers than parent figures. The relationships are further strengthened by bunking together at night. 'Even in normal camps, they're leaders because there are decisions to be made,' Sibthorp said. 'And, you know, these children are looking up to them to make those decisions.'
