Camp Scholarships & Financial Aid

"We can't afford camp." That's what a lot of families think—and a lot of them are wrong. There's more help available than most people know about.

Here's the Truth

Most Christian camps have more scholarship money available than they give away. Why? Because families assume they won't qualify or don't know to ask. If you're reading this, you're already ahead.

Types of Financial Help Available

1. Camp Scholarships (Most Common)

Most camps set aside funds specifically for families who can't pay full price. These come from donations, endowments, and camp budgets.

Typical amounts: 25-75% of tuition. Some camps offer full scholarships in special cases.

2. Church Assistance

Many churches have youth activity funds or discretionary funds that can help with camp costs. Some churches pay for any kid who wants to go.

Who to ask: Your youth pastor, church office, or benevolence committee. Even if you're not a regular attender, it's worth asking.

3. Sibling Discounts

Sending multiple kids? Many camps offer 10-25% off for second (and third) children. Some don't advertise this—ask directly.

4. Early Bird Discounts

5. Payment Plans

Spreading payments over several months makes camp manageable. Many camps offer this for no extra cost—you just have to set it up in advance.

6. Work-Exchange Programs

Some camps let parents volunteer (food service, maintenance, etc.) in exchange for reduced tuition. Great option if you have flexible schedule.

7. Community Organizations

Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, Kiwanis, and other civic organizations often have youth enrichment funds. Some specifically help with camp costs.

How to Apply for Camp Scholarships

Most camps try to make this easy. Here's the typical process:

Find the application

Usually on the camp's website under "Financial Aid," "Scholarships," or "Camperships." Sometimes it's part of the regular registration form.

Provide basic financial info

Most ask about household income, number of dependents, and reason for requesting aid. You usually don't need tax returns or bank statements.

Explain your situation briefly

A short paragraph about why you need help. Job loss, medical expenses, single-parent household—be honest but you don't need to over-explain.

Submit and wait

Most camps respond within 1-2 weeks. They'll tell you how much they can offer.

Pay your portion

Most scholarships are partial. You'll typically pay something, even if it's just a deposit.

Tips for Getting Approved

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Apply early
Scholarship funds are limited. First come, first served is common.
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Be honest about your need
Camps want to help the right families. Underrepresenting need doesn't help you.
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Apply to multiple camps
If one camp can't offer enough, another might have more funds available.
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Stack multiple sources
Church help + camp scholarship + early bird discount = much more affordable.
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Call the camp directly
A phone call sometimes reveals options not listed on the website.

What If You're Denied?

It happens. Funds are limited. Here are your options:

•Ask about waitlists. Sometimes families don't use their scholarships, and funds get redistributed.
•Try a different session. Popular weeks often have more applicants. Off-peak sessions might have more aid.
•Look for shorter programs. A 3-day camp costs less than a week-long one.
•Consider day camp. Often half the cost of overnight camp.
•Start a fundraiser. Some families use GoFundMe or church sponsorships.

Financial Aid Timeline (For Summer Camp)

When	What to Do
November-December	Research camps and their scholarship options
January-February	Submit scholarship applications (early bird deadlines)
February-March	Ask your church about assistance funds
March-April	Finalize registration, set up payment plan if needed
May-June	Complete payments before camp starts

Sample Scholarship Request Letter

Dear [Camp Name] Scholarship Committee,

I am writing to request financial assistance for my [son/daughter], [Child's Name], to attend [Camp Name] this summer. [He/She] is [age] years old and has been looking forward to the camp experience.

Our family is facing [brief explanation: job loss, medical expenses, single-income household, etc.], which makes it difficult to afford the full tuition of $[amount]. We are able to contribute approximately $[amount you can pay].

[Child's Name] is excited about [specific aspect of camp: the outdoor activities, worship, meeting new friends]. We believe this experience would be meaningful for [his/her] growth and faith development.

Thank you for considering our request. We are grateful for any assistance you can provide.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Phone number]
[Email]

Why Camps Offer Scholarships

Christian camps exist to serve kids, not just families who can pay. Most camps genuinely want to say yes to every family. The worst thing you can do is not ask. Camp staff would rather have a slightly awkward conversation about money than have your kid miss out entirely.

Ready to Find an Affordable Camp?

Many camps in our directory offer scholarships. Start your search.

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