How to Save Money on Summer Camp: Discounts, Payment Plans, Tax Tips, and More
When parents start researching summer camp options, one question often arises: “How can we afford this incredible experience for our child?” The good news is that quality summer camp programs like Camp Ondessonk understand that families have varying financial situations, and they’ve built multiple pathways to make overnight camp accessible without sacrificing the adventure, safety, or educational value your child deserves.
Located in the heart of the beautiful Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, Camp Ondessonk is a premier Midwest adventure destination committed to transparent, family-friendly pricing. Unlike many camps that surprise with hidden fees for activities or premium programs, Ondessonk operates on a truly all-inclusive model. Every child enjoys access to every activity, from trail rides to high ropes courses, at no extra charge.
Affordability isn’t just about pricing; there are clear actions you can take to reduce summer camp costs. Here are the specific steps families should follow to make camp more affordable, from choosing the right pricing tier to stacking discounts and using payment plans.
Understanding Camp Ondessonk’s Three-Tier Pricing Structure
Camp Ondessonk uses an honor-system approach that recognizes the diverse financial circumstances of modern families. Rather than creating barriers or requiring invasive financial documentation, the camp offers three distinct rate tiers.
Rate A is the actual cost of participation. It covers staff salaries, facility maintenance, food, program supplies, and depreciation of equipment. Families who can afford this rate help ensure the Camp’s long-term sustainability.
Rate B provides a partially subsidized option. This rate does not fully reflect participation costs, but it offers meaningful savings for families who require moderate assistance.
Rate C delivers the standard subsidized rate. It makes Camp accessible to families who need more substantial financial support.
Here’s what makes this system remarkable: your choice of rate has no impact on your child’s Camp experience. Every camper receives the same exceptional programming, attentive supervision, and opportunities for growth and adventure, regardless of the tier their family selects.
Maximize Savings with Early Bird Pricing
Smart planning can save you a lot. Camp Ondessonk’s Early Bird discount begins on October 1 and lasts until February 1. Sign up early and pay in full by February to get lower rates for some summer weeks.
A few important notes about Early Bird pricing: this discount cannot be combined with the scholarship program, multi-child discounts, or multi-session discounts. If you don’t pay in full by February 1st, your registration automatically adjusts to Rate C pricing on February 2nd. If you switch to a different session or program not included in the Early Bird dates, you will be required to pay the full upgrade cost difference.
Stack Discounts for Multiple Children or Sessions
Families with more than one camper, or kids who want to go for several weeks, can save more with Camp Ondessonk’s discounts:
Multiple Child Discount: Pay the regular rate for your first child, and receive a discount on each additional child. Then, request $45 off for each additional sibling you register. This applies to children within immediate families and can create substantial savings for larger families.
Multiple Session Discount: Does your child want to come back for a second or third week? Pay full price for the first week, then get $45 off each extra week your child joins.
Lodge Camp Discount: If your camper attends Lodge Camp as a second session, you can request a $115 discount. This significant reduction encourages extended Camp experiences.
Please note that these discounts cannot be combined with Early Bird Super Session pricing, so it’s essential to calculate which combination offers the greatest savings for your specific situation.
Flexible Payment Plans That Work With Your Budget
Few families have large lump sums in checking accounts. That’s why Camp Ondessonk offers flexible payment solutions. With the secure online registration system, families can log in and make payments at their own convenience, on a weekly, biweekly, or other schedule that suits their cash flow best.
If you prefer structured monthly payments, the Director of Finance can set up automatic payments. Contact them at 618-695-2489, extension 101, to arrange terms that fit your paychecks and financial planning.
All balances must be paid in full 30 days before your camper’s arrival date. This deadline allows families several months to spread out the investment, enabling Camp to plan for food, supplies, and staffing accordingly.
Turn Friends Into Savings With the Referral Program
Word of mouth remains the most effective way to grow the camping industry, and Camp Ondessonk rewards families who help spread the word. With the Refer a Friend Program, you and the new camper you refer each get $20 in non-refundable barter bucks for the Trading Post.
The program has simple rules. The referred camper must be new to Ondessonk and cannot live at the same address as you. You cannot refer each other back and forth. There’s no limit to how many friends you can refer. Passionate Camp families can accumulate substantial Trading Post credits by sharing their enthusiasm with neighbors, classmates, and community members.
Barter bucks are applied once the referred camper’s tuition is paid in full. They’re valid on-site during your child’s session for buying Camp swag, snacks, and souvenirs.
Understanding the Tax Benefits of Summer Camp
While not specifically a camp discount, many families overlook valuable tax benefits that can offset summer camp costs. The federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit allows families to claim a percentage of childcare expenses, including day camps, for children under 13 while parents work or look for work.
For tax year 2025, families can potentially claim up to 35% of qualifying expenses, with the percentage decreasing based on adjusted gross income. The maximum qualifying expense is $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more children. This could translate to savings of $1,050 to $2,100 on your federal tax return.
Important: Overnight camps do not qualify for this credit. You may be eligible if your child attends day camp programs or shorter sessions. If your employer offers a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can set aside pre-tax dollars to cover eligible camp expenses and reduce your taxable income.
Consult a tax professional to see how these benefits apply to your situation. Let them help ensure you maximize all available deductions and credits.
Why Camp Ondessonk Delivers Exceptional Value
When evaluating camp costs, smart families look beyond the sticker price to understand the true value they’re receiving. Camp Ondessonk stands apart in several critical areas:
Accreditation and Safety Standards: Camp Ondessonk is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), a distinction earned by only one-fourth of summer camps in the United States. This accreditation requires compliance with over 300 written standards that cover program quality, health protocols, and safety measures. Camp Ondessonk undergoes rigorous review processes and continuously implements improvements based on industry best practices.
Certified Horsemanship Programming: As a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA)-accredited facility, Camp Ondessonk’s Equestrian Program meets the highest standards in the industry. CHA certification evaluates instructors in five key areas: safety, horsemanship knowledge and ability, teaching technique, group control, and responsibility and professionalism. This 40-year-old certification process ensures your child receives expert instruction, whether they’re a first-time rider or an experienced equestrian.
Medical and Emergency Preparedness: At least one year-round staff member holds a Wilderness First Responder certification. This training covers emergency response, risk management, and remote intervention. The Camp maintains weather monitoring systems and emergency procedures. Staff relay information through the website, social media, and mass texts to keep parents informed.
Comprehensive Child Protection: Camp Ondessonk takes child safety with utmost seriousness. All staff and volunteers undergo an initial background screening, including reference and criminal checks. Annual renewal is required. Everyone is required to complete the mandatory Initial Child Protection Training. Returning staff take annual refresher courses. Camp Ondessonk enforces a strict “rule of three;” staff and volunteers are never alone with individual children, and multiple supervisors are always present during cabin times and activities.
These safety measures stem from Ondessonk’s child protection policies established in the late 1980s, predating even the formal Diocese of Belleville Child Protection Policies. Camp Ondessonk collaborates closely with the Diocese of Belleville’s Office of Child Protection and maintains documented compliance with all diocesan standards, adhering to mandatory reporting procedures to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and local law enforcement as necessary.
What Self-Sufficiency Means for Your Family
Camp Ondessonk operates as a self-sufficient organization, relying entirely on camper fees, grants, and contributions. Unlike camps subsidized by large endowments or institutional funding, every dollar families invest goes directly toward maintaining facilities, training exceptional staff, purchasing quality equipment and food, and creating innovative programming.
This model ensures that your Camp fees aren’t inflated by administrative overhead or profit margins; they accurately reflect the actual cost of delivering a transformative experience. When you choose Rate A pricing or forego available discounts, you’re directly supporting accessibility for families who need Rate C pricing. You’re investing in the long-term sustainability of a Camp that has shaped countless young lives through adventure, character development, and community building.
Strategic Planning for Maximum Savings
To optimize your summer camp investment, consider this timeline:
September-October: Start researching camp options and discussing with your children which programs excite them most. As soon as Early Bird enrollment opens on October 1st, review the calendar and lock in your preferred dates.
October-January: If you’ve committed to Early Bird pricing, budget monthly amounts needed to pay in full by February 1st. Contact the Director of Finance to set up automated payment plans if helpful. Begin talking with friends and neighbors about camp to identify potential referrals.
February-March: If you missed Early Bird pricing, calculate which combination of standard discounts (multi-child, multi-session, Lodge Camp) delivers the most significant savings. Continue making installment payments according to your budget.
April-May: Ensure all referral program submissions are completed at least seven days before your Camp start date. Please double-check that your balance will be paid in full 30 days before arrival. Consult with your tax preparer about FSA contributions or childcare tax credit eligibility for the following year.
June-August: Enjoy watching your child experience growth, challenge, friendship, and adventure; knowing you’ve made a wise financial investment in their development.
The True Return on Investment
When families calculate Camp costs, they often focus on the weekly or daily rate. But the real question is: what does your child gain from this investment?
Research consistently demonstrates that overnight camp experiences build independence, resilience, social skills, and self-confidence in ways few other childhood experiences can match. Away from screens, structured schedules, and parental oversight, children discover capabilities they didn’t know they possessed. They navigate homesickness and triumph over it. They attempt activities that initially frighten them, such as a high ropes course, a canoe trip, and a horseback trail ride, and emerge stronger.
The friendships forged at Camp often last decades. The memories become touchstones throughout life. The skills learned, from conflict resolution to fire building to swimming to collaborative problem-solving, transfer to school, future workplaces, and adult relationships.
Camp Ondessonk’s all-inclusive model ensures that your child won’t miss out on the horseback riding program or special electives due to budget constraints. Every camper experiences the full breadth of programming, ensuring that financial circumstances don’t create a two-tier childhood where some kids get the “premium” experience while others watch from the sidelines.
Making Camp Possible for Your Family
Summer camp represents an investment in your child’s development, independence, and joy, but it shouldn’t require financial stress or sacrifice. Camp Ondessonk’s transparent pricing structure, flexible payment options, and multiple discount programs reflect a genuine commitment to accessibility.
Whether you start with Early Bird pricing, stack multiple discounts, spread payments across several months, or select the subsidized rate tier that fits your family’s circumstances, you can confidently enroll your child knowing they’ll receive the same exceptional, all-inclusive experience as every other camper.
Camp Ondessonk’s accreditation by the American Camp Association and Certified Horsemanship Association, combined with comprehensive safety protocols and child protection measures, ensures your investment delivers not just adventure and fun, but also peace of mind.
As you research summer camp options this fall, remember that affordability and quality aren’t opposing forces. At Camp Ondessonk, they’re intentionally aligned to serve the broadest possible range of families, because every child deserves the transformative magic of summer camp, regardless of their family’s financial situation.
Start planning early, explore all available discounts, and don’t hesitate to contact Camp Ondessonk’s team with questions about making camp work for your budget. The memories and growth your child will experience are worth every strategic planning step you take today.
Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk Summer Camp Programs.