YMCA of Delaware offers lower cost for summer camp

As parents from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware contemplate whether or not to cut sleepaway camp out of the family budget this year, the YMCA of Delaware, a nonprofit community service organization, has announced a new tiered-tuition system designed to make its overnight camp more affordable and accessible. The new “honor code” tiered-tuition system provides families that do not want to apply for the YMCA’s needs-based financial aid with an easier way to afford summer camp this season.

YMCA Camp Tockwogh is offering three tiers of tuition for one- and two-week sessions of sleepaway camp and specialty camps. For example, the three-payment tier options for a two-week session of sleepaway camp are Tier 1: $1,499, Tier 2: $1,349 and Tier 3: $1,199.

“During this uncertain economy, we strongly believe that the economic crisis should not impact our children’s summer fun,” said Elizabeth Staib-King, the executive director of Camp Tockwogh.

“The new tiered-tuition system, based on the honor code, will make it easier for families to receive subsidized tuition for summer camp this year.”

More than half of the campers that come to Tockwogh are from Pennsylvania, followed by Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia. Over the last nine years, Camp Tockwogh has had campers from 40 of the 50 states and from eight foreign countries.

Unlike a need-based scholarship program, families will not have to complete financial aid forms; they will choose a tier based on their ability to pay. All children will receive the same camp experience, regardless of their tuition tier. Larger scholarships are also available by applying for needs-based financial assistance. The tiered pricing model has also been applied to shorter and longer stays at Camp Tockwogh

Staib-King said she has been impressed with the number of parents who have chosen to pay the full cost of camp. So far, almost four times as many parents elected to pay the higher amount of tuition rather than the lowest. The remainder, less than 15 percent, opted for the middle tier.

“We encourage all families to pay the tuition amount that fits within their budget so they can continue to give kids the magical experience of a summer away at our world-class YMCA camp,” said Staib-King. Tockwogh features more than a mile and half of Chesapeake waterfront with woods and open fields. Sailing, waterskiing, horseback riding, arts and crafts, nature studies and sports are among the camp’s programs.

To help make camp affordable, the Tockwogh board of governors has raised $50,000 for the YMCA of Delaware’s Strong Kids Campaign. The annual campaign raises funds for each of the YMCA’s branches and uses those funds to provide financial assistance during difficult times. Staib-King said she expected donations from former campers and board members to increase the amount raised for the Strong Kids Campaign in coming weeks.

More information is at ymcade.org/branches/tockwogh/dates.cfm