One site I found was a coupon site, http://campcoupons.com where you can get free coupons to different camps.

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How about a free camp?
My nonprofit is considering opening our doors to kids this summer for a “scrap camp” kids learn about recycling, computer, technology while also learning about teamwork, leadership and creative ways to face a challenge.
Food will not be provided but parents will have kids come home at the end of the day and we hope have learned something new.
We hope to run for 12-14yr olds, July third and fourth week and for 14-18 August first and second week.

Anyone interested can email us: ahaas@witsinc.org

I sent my kids to Maryland Heights camp and it was great, the kids had a lot of fun, and I thought it was affordable.
Here is the information from their website

Summer Day Camp & Sport Camp

2 Week Sessions Ages 6 - 13

Vago Community Park

Don’t miss the opportunity to sign up for one of our most popular children’s programs during the summertime. Day Camp will be for children ages 6 to 11 and Sports Camp is for children 8 to 13 years old. These camps will meet daily at Vago Community Park. In 2009 both camps will also take trips to Aquaport, Zoo, Science Center, and Wapelhorst Aquatic Center (weather permitting). Pre-registration is required so sign up early, space is limited.

Session I Basic Training June 15 - June 26

Session II International Exploration June 29 - July 10

Session III Olympics July 13 - July 24

Session IV Carnival July 27 - Aug. 7

FEES PER SESSION:

Camp 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

$145/resident $175/non-resident

Extended Care 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

$30/resident $36/non-resident

Ex. Care PM 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

$44/resident $52/non-resident

Registration for both camps will begin Monday, April 13 for residents and non-residents. A $50 deposit will hold a spot in any session. Balance is due seven calendar days before each session begins or a $20 late fee will be applied. Online registration is not available for Day and Sport Camps.

Oh and Maryland Heights phone number is (314)738-2599

I am stunned at the expense of summer camps! Now that things are tight money-wise, I have been trying to do some research on all the St. Louis camps available. My children are toddler and pre-school age and it is especially hard to find a camp that I can send them both to with out breaking the bank. Plus, I want it to be a summer long program, not just a week-long session.
To top it off, my son has special needs and it is even harder to find him a good fit.

DON’T WORRY, CAMP IS NOT OUT OF YOUR REACH
Tips on Making Summer Camp Affordable

By Jenny Wolkowitz, Tips on Trips and Camps, St. Louis, MO

The costs associated with camp may seem daunting to many families, especially in today’s economic downturn. However, especially for working parents, camp is not a luxury but an essential part of the summer.

What will your child do this summer if you cannot afford sleep away camp? Do you envision your child lying on the couch in front of the TV all summer long? Do you have thoughts of your teen plugged into an iPod or on Facebook for three straight months? It is a recurring issue for all parents.

Although the costs are real, camp is an important part of a family’s peace of mind as well as an important part of any child’s education. So, don’t dismay, there is a way to find a camp that fits your budget.

Help is readily available to families picking a sleep away camp that matches their child’s requirements and is within their budget. A handful of companies exist that provide free consulting and advisory services to any family that knows to call them. The service is without charge, and families incur no obligation of any kind when they request guidance or information. Camp advisors are often an unknown parental resource spread by word-of-mouth among families already “in the know.”

Camp advisory services like the one I work for (Tips on Trips and Camps) have years of experience addressing families’ questions and concerns. Advisors ask families the questions necessary to make sure that the “fit” is right between the program and the child and provide families with lists of questions to ask directors.

Tips on Trips and Camps offers the following suggestions to make summer sleep away camps and teen programs affordable.

If you have a tight budget but know you want to send your child away to camp:

• Be aware of early enrollment discounts. Plan ahead.
• Ask the camp about a discount for multiple children from one family.
• Inquire about shorter sessions to accommodate a tight budget.
• Make summer a part of your educational plan. Choose a shorter specialty program that will enhance the student’s profile for college or help develop a new interest or skill.

Private camps are not subsidized, so the camper is paying for all of the costs to run a camp: insurance, staff, equipment, and capital improvements. You can expect to pay between $700 - $1200 a week for a private camp.

If you have a very small budget and need to spend less than $600 per week:
• Contact camps run by your local county government or agencies like the Jewish Federation, the JCC, the Salvation Army, Campfire Boys and Girls or the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. These camps offer a summer experience at a reduced cost because the sponsoring agency subsidizes the camp.
• Look into financial aid, which is available at most camps. If you apply early, it is possible to get a 20-50% discount based on need.
Camp is a wonderfully enriching gift you can give your child. No matter what your budget, there is a camp to meet your family’s financial and educational needs. Happy camping!
###
Tips on Trips and Camps is one of the oldest and largest camp advisory services. Established in 1971,“Tips” has advisors in 16 cities, relationships with over 600 sleep away camps and programs, and each year provides advice and guidance to thousands of families. The service is provided by phone, email and the website, which makes it available to anyone virtually anywhere. For more information and advice, to request brochures and DVDs, or speak to a knowledgeable consultant, visit http://www.TipsonTripsandCamps.com. St. Louis consultant, Jenny Wolkowitz, can be reached at 314.432.8642.

My twins have autism and I’ve found that the YMCA programs are the best thing I can find for them. They must be registered for the camps through the Y’s Inclusion Services program so that they can provide an extra staff member to shadow them and help them participate in activities.

The cost is not bad. You don’t have to be a full member of the Y to access the camps. You can purchase what they call a Program Membership for $90 a year and that gets you access to the school age child care during the school year for before and after care as well as summer camps. The monthly fee for before/after care during the school year is $234/child with $10 discount for second child. The summer camp fees are about $125/week per child $10 discount applies to those as well.

The Y has some really great themed camps too. The girls always have a great time.

My son always enjoys going to the St. Peters Rec-Plex summer camp. In fact, this summer will be his 3rd year of attending. Last year it was $83 per week for St. Peters residents ($97 per week if you are not). They go on a field trip each week plus they have use of the Olympic size swimming pool and ice skating rink.

Look into hiring a nanny for the summer! My kids love it, because the activities they get to do are all things that interest them, instead of following a set schedule designed to appeal to the largest number of kids. We use TLC for Kids- their website is http://www.tlcforkids.com. My husband and I love it because we don’t have to rush at the end of the day to pick our kids up on time to avoid late fees, and we know our kids are safe and happy. All the nannies TLC sends out have a lot of experience and have all been screened and interviewed by the company before we even meet them. We’ve had the same nanny for the last two years, and we all adore her! She even tutors the kids over the summer and helps out with the housework and grocery shopping. It’s a little more expensive than some of the camps, but TLC will let you share a nanny with another family so you can split the cost.

Please check with your local Salvation Army centers and see if they have an affordable program they can offer. We live in Lemay and ours offers FREE (with a $50.00 yearly membership fee)after school care to children that attend Hancock, Bayless and a nearby Catholic school. I enrolled her in their summer program and for $80.00 per week, she can attend all day and they will go on one field trip a week. I know our facility is already full, but it’s something you can look into for next year. By the way, our Salvation Army Center is very nice and has an excellent gymnasium, a “tv room” with a large screen tv, a computer room and game room. Not bad for FREE.