Kelly Ho knows the importance of planning ahead B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 literally in her job description.

But this year, as summer camp registration opened up, the financial planner and mom of two was travelling for work.

By the time she returned to her Vancouver home, all the most affordable camps for her six and eight-year-olds were full.

B次元官网网址淚 ended up paying more for specialty camps because they were the only ones with spots left,B次元官网网址� said Ho, a certified financial planner professional with DLD Financial Group Ltd. B次元官网网址淓ven then, my kids were on a waitlist for one of the weeks until recently.B次元官网网址�

Summer is quickly approaching, an eight-week stretch that evokes squeals of delight from children and, often, stress for working parents in search of quality, affordable camps and activities.

The hunt for camps has been made harder by a post-pandemic rebound in demand as parents seek to fill their childrenB次元官网网址檚 days with sB次元官网网址檓ores, swimming and archery after recent summers spent in social bubbles with too much screen time.

That demand has made the competition for affordable camps even more fierce than usual.

B次元官网网址淭here are local community centres with affordable camps, but it seems like only people who are at a computer the second registration opens and click the fastest will get a spot,B次元官网网址� Ho said.

Inflation hasnB次元官网网址檛 helped. The rising cost of nearly everything has also made camps B次元官网网址� even city rec programs B次元官网网址� more expensive.

Registration costs have ballooned as much as 10 per cent for some camps compared with last summer.

B次元官网网址淔ood costs have definitely increased by more than 50 per cent since pre-pandemic,B次元官网网址� said Shannon Hall, a spokeswoman for Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, a multi-year leadership program for underserved youth aged 12 to 16.

B次元官网网址淥ur youth travel across North America to each of our seven camps, whether by bus or airline, and those costs have also increased. Utilities, insurance, food, travel B次元官网网址� all of those things have gone up substantially.B次元官网网址�

One of the biggest costs for the foundationB次元官网网址檚 camps is staff, she said.

B次元官网网址淪ince the pandemic, weB次元官网网址檝e needed more certified staff to support the growing social and emotional development needs of youth,B次元官网网址� Hall said. B次元官网网址淏ut even just finding lifeguards right now is a challenge. That all adds to costs.B次元官网网址�

With demand and costs for camps going up, parents can be left scrambling for summer child care and activities for kids.

Here are some tips to keep kids busy this summer without breaking the bank:

Get an early start

When possible, getting an early start is key to saving money on summer camps and activities.

Many of the most affordable camps book up quickly, while pricier camps sometimes offer early bird discounts.

B次元官网网址淵ou need to plan a season ahead,B次元官网网址� Ho said. B次元官网网址淧ut the registration date and time in your calendar and make sure youB次元官网网址檙e at a computer.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 also worth double-checking cancellation and refund policies in case your summer plans change, she added.

Consider camps outside the city

Camps outside of big cities tend to be cheaper, which could make a commute (if possible) worthwhile, said DollarWise CEO Jack Prenter.

B次元官网网址淭he private camps around downtown Toronto can be insanely expensive,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut if you go an hour or so north, prices become more reasonable.B次元官网网址�

Ask about financial aid

Many camps offer financial aid for children from households with lower incomes, making it worth asking what options exist.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not often publicized, but camps usually have subsidies available,B次元官网网址� Prenter said.

Payment programs

Some camps allow parents to pay for registration in instalments, rather than all at once.

While registration for an overnight camp might open in January, for example, parents can stretch the payments out over the months until the camp starts.

B次元官网网址淢any of these payment programs are essentially like an interest-free loan,B次元官网网址� Prenter said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 free money, and can help families stick to a monthly budget more easily.B次元官网网址�

Claim summer camp costs on taxes

Many child care expenses like summer camps can be claimed during tax season.

ItB次元官网网址檚 important to keep receipts for registration costs as they could be eligible for a credit, Prenter said.

B次元官网网址淭here are tax rebates available to help defray some of the costs of camp,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t may not be a lot, but it can still make a difference.B次元官网网址�

Childcare swap, parent groups and local babysitters

A key to surviving summer with kids is community, Ho said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really nice, if possible, to know who your kidsB次元官网网址� friendsB次元官网网址� parents are,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淢aybe thereB次元官网网址檚 a stay-at-home parent you can offer to pay for a week of childcare if youB次元官网网址檙e really in a bind.B次元官网网址�

Another option is to consider a childcare swap, Ho said.

B次元官网网址淚f you could take one week off, you could offer to watch a friendB次元官网网址檚 kids in exchange for them taking a week off and watching your kids,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淐ommunity and social networks are so important.B次元官网网址�

Social media websites also have community groups with resources such as local babysitters, Ho added.

Free camps, activities and parks

In addition to local parks, pools and splash pads, many municipalities offer free or low-cost organized programs for local youth.

Some require registration while others are drop-in.

Libraries are also often a source of free programming like arts and crafts, puppet shows or book clubs.

It gives parents and caregivers a chance to get out of the house and escape the hot sun, Ho said.

B次元官网网址淓ight weeks is a very long time,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important to plan ahead so your kids can have a fun summer and you wonB次元官网网址檛 spend a fortune.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址擝rett Bundale, The Canadian Press