Community Corner

Can You Afford Summer Camp?

Ideas and places in and near East Cobb to help you begin making plans.

East Cobb Patch contributor Bonnie Hall, the mother of a fifth-grader and a ninth-grader, doesn't think it's too soon to start thinking about and planning for summer camp. 

Q: What are your favorite summer camps offered in East Cobb?

A: My grade-schooler enjoys Camp Kingfisher most. It's offered by the Chattahoochee Nature Center, and it really gives him the inside story on eco systems and life science that he's really into. Also, they feature special family nights throughout the summer, and the entire year for that matter, to help educate the community about our local environment. They just started offering registration online for the first time, so that's a real plus, too.

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Q: Times are still tight for many families. Any ideas on summer camp ideas for the frugal-minded?

A: I have a friend nearby who utilizes the many vacation bible schools (VBS) sessions during the summer. Most of these church-affiliated camps are free or ask for a small donation to the church. You don't have to be a member of a particular church or denomination to participate in most of these mini camps, which often last half-day. Also, the East Cobb McCleskey YMCA and the Northeast Cobb Family YMCA have a lot of camp offerings that are relatively inexpensive. The catch is that you have to register for these within a very specific time, so it'd be wise to check their websites for registration dates and times.

Q: Any tips for choosing the right camp for your child?

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A: Involve your child in the decision-making process. Of course, keeping your budget in mind, present a few options to your child and consider what his or her favorite things are to do with friends, say, during playdates. If it's experimenting with things found in the kitchen, maybe Club Scientific held at Mount Bethel Elementary School would be appropriate.

If it's playing a game of chess with an older sibling, there's Kids Chess, offered at many area schools. There's so much out there, but if you wait to investigate this beyond say, when spring is in full bloom, you might not be able to secure a place in the camp you and your child want most.


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