07.24.08

Sleepaway Camp - My Son Asks How Much Does It Cost?

Posted in Kids and Money at 10:51 pm by CreditMom

My kids go to a midweek sleepaway camp. They get on the bus Monday morning and come home Friday night.  My 14 year old has been going for 4 years and this year for the first time we sent the 10 year old twins.  We decided to send the twins for only two weeks because we were a bit nervous how one of them would adjust — plus it just costs so much money!

 

Well, by the 2^nd day the twins called home (they’re allowed daily phone calls…a curse and a blessing at the same time) and asked that we extend their stay for another 2 week session.  Now remember, everything we do is double…well actually triple if you count our 14 year old.  But the 14 year old was staying 5 weeks so how could we say no to 4 weeks for the twins?  I mean isn’t that saying we love the 14 year old more than the twins? (At least, that’s the typical guilt trip they give us).

 

So my husband and I discussed it and decided to give in and extend camp another 2 weeks.  Now I would love to say we did this out of our undying love for our children and enormous generosity but that would be a complete lie.  We did it because it’s so darn peaceful in our house and we’ve gained back our FREEDOM!  We’ve been going to the beach, dining out and just doing whatever we want when we want….imagine that concept?

 

During the weekend he was home, my 14 year old said, “I can’t believe you’re sending the twins another 2 weeks.  How much is that costing?”  So when I gave him the figure, he stared in disbelief and said, “How do you guys even make enough money for that?  How do you pay for it?”  At first I was taken aback but then I realized this was a good thing.  After all these years he was finally developing some financial awareness.  

 

I told him we start paying for next year’s camp the week camp ends this year.  So in August 08, we will begin paying for Summer 09 and we’ll get a discount by signing up early.  We pay the camp fees monthly throughout the year, just like any other expense and when one of us has extra cash we send an extra payment, just so we don’t have to go into credit card debt.  It’s all a matter of budgeting and priorities.

 

I hope some financial awareness is beginning to settle in and they appreciate this privilege.  But judging from my conversation tonight, I think the only awareness the twins have is self awareness.  In fact, when asked why he didn’t call home last night one of them said, “Because I had nothing to say to you and I was surrounded by girls.”   Oh my…what should we expect when they all come home????

 

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