Summer camp is a win-win for many families. Kids get to swap quizzes, essays, sitting at desks, and homework for time pursuing passions like sports, art, filmmaking, martial arts or robotics. Parents get much needed child care so they can work. (Or maybe even relax!)
The tricky part, of course, is the price. Camp costs add up fast, especially if you’re registering more than one child or trying to cover a big chunk of the summer.
“The cost per week has become crazy, especially if you have multiple children that are young,” says Portland mother of three Maureen Rachford.
Luckily, there are some tried-and-true tricks you can use to save money and still send your child to multiple weeks of camp. Here are ten wallet-friendly tips to get the most out of this quintessential summertime experience.
Original article by Sarah Vanbuskirk with updates by PDX Parent Staff
1. Book early — but compare early-bird deadlines with scholarship timelines
Registering early can absolutely save you money. Some camps offer early-bird pricing or lower rates for families who commit sooner. But don’t assume that “book as fast as possible” is always the best move. If your family may qualify for financial aid, check the scholarship timeline before you pay a nonrefundable deposit.
Wondering which camps offer early bird discounts? There are many, but here are two local favorites: NW Film Camp offers an early-bird discount, and Trackers Earth also promotes early registration savings.
2. Look for flexible camp models
Not every family needs a traditional Monday-through-Friday camp every single week. Sometimes the best budget move is finding a program that lets you pay only for the days you’ll actually use.
Steve & Kate’s Camp is a good example of a more flexible model. Families can buy day passes, use them on any day camp is open, and unused purchased passes are automatically refunded at the end of the season. That kind of setup can be a money-saver if your summer schedule is patchy or you’re juggling vacations, grandparents, or part-time care.
3. Use sibling discounts
If you have more than one child, sibling discounts can be one of the easiest ways to save. Many camps offer a sibling discount. For example, Friendly House Summer Break Camps offer $50 off for siblings. If you don’t see the option when registering, it’s still worth asking. Some programs may have discounts, credits, or other options that don’t jump out during online registration.
4. Check for group discounts
If your child is signing up with multiple friends, you could also check if the camp will extend a group discount. If you have enough kids, the camp may give you a price break, particularly if you’re flexible about which week you choose.
5. Look for sliding scales
Many families assume camp aid is only for a very small number of households. In reality, lots of camps have scholarships, partial aid, or sliding-scale pricing.
Write Now Portland’s 2026 summer writing camps use a sliding scale fee. Grace Art Camp offers full and partial scholarships, and Friendly House offers scholarships for summer camp as well. The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette also offers Open Door financial assistance for camp programs.
Some camps have scholarship funds available or will give you a discount just for requesting one.
This is one of the biggest camp budget hacks out there: don’t assume the posted price is the only price.
6. Use your tax break or dependent care benefits if you qualify
This is one of the most overlooked money-saving strategies.
According to the IRS, the cost of summer day camp may count toward the Child and Dependent Care Credit if the camp is for the care of a qualifying child. Overnight camp does not qualify. Depending on your situation, you may also be able to use dependent care benefits such as a Dependent Care FSA for eligible expenses.
This tip won’t lower the price at checkout, but it can lower the overall cost to your family.
7. Check city and community programs first
Before you sign up for the pricey specialty camp, look at the lower-cost public and nonprofit options in your area.
For Portland families, Portland Parks & Recreation’s Access Discount is a huge resource. City of Portland residents can choose a 25%, 50%, 75%, or 90% discount on eligible activity fees, and the discount lasts 12 months. No proof of income is required.
Some Multnomah County SUN Community Schools also offer summer programming, and many families already have a connection to a SUN site through their child’s school. It’s worth checking with your school or SUN coordinator to see what’s available.
Camp Rosenbaum is another valuable resource for eligible families. Its 2026 camp is open to certain youth connected to housing authority properties or Section 8 assistance, and the organization also notes that its programming is designed to serve low-income young people.
8. Compare the real cost — not just the weekly price
A cheaper camp is not always the cheaper option.
When you’re comparing camps, look at:
- daily hours
- drop-off and pickup logistics
- transportation time
- aftercare fees
- supply lists
- equipment requirements
- whether lunch or snacks are included
A half-day camp with no aftercare may look like a bargain until you realize you still need child care for the rest of the day. Meanwhile, a pricier camp with long hours, food included, and a nearby location may actually cost less in real life.
This is where flexible or all-inclusive programs can help. Steve & Kate’s, for example, includes camp hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as lunch and snacks.
9. Consider building your own mini camp with other families
Another option is to pool resources with several families to create a camp of your own. Hire a babysitter (such as a high school or college student) to run a camp with a few of your child’s friends. Depending on the rate and the number of kids involved, this setup can sometimes cost less than a traditional week of camp.
Alternatively, if you have a flexible schedule, consider switching off hosting a “free” camp with other parents.
10. For tweens and teens, look for CIT programs instead of paying full tuition
If you have an older kid, don’t assume summer camp always means paying full price.
Some camps offer Counselor-in-Training programs for middle schoolers and teens. Sellwood Community House, for example, has a Counselor-in-Training program for grades 6–8 as part of its summer offerings.
For the right kid, these programs can be a great bridge between being a camper and taking on more responsibility, and they may be a more affordable option than a traditional full camp schedule.
Need help getting organized? Check out our free summer camp planner!