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How to Price Your Summer Camp in 2025: A Strategic Guide

summer camp

Running a summer camp isn’t what it used to be. From higher staff wages and facility costs to families juggling tighter budgets, 2025 is shaping up to be a year where pricing your camp isn’t just a numbers game — it’s a strategy.

And if you’re reading this, you’re likely asking the same question as a lot of other camp operators right now:
How do we price our programs in a way that’s fair, profitable, and actually fills spots?

This guide will walk you through the data, the trends, and — more importantly — the decisions that matter when setting your camp pricing this year.

summer camp

Let’s Talk About the Money Reality in 2025

Every camp is feeling the pinch. Facility costs are rising. Insurance premiums are up. And competitive wages for quality staff? Non-negotiable.

At the same time, parents are navigating their own financial tightrope. A recent survey found that 1 in 4 parents expect to spend over $2,000 per child on summer camp this year. And 17% said they may need to take on debt to cover those costs.

While demand is strong, the pressure is real for everyone.

What Camps Are Charging Right Now

It’s helpful to know what other camps are doing, but context matters.

But here’s the key: Pricing isn’t just about the going rate — it’s about how you position your camp in the market.

Pricing Models That Work in 2025

Instead of guessing what families will pay, these strategies help you meet them where they are, while still protecting your margins.

1. Tiered Pricing

Think “good, better, best.” Offer different packages that align with various budgets and needs.

  • Basic camp: access to all core activities

  • Premium camp: includes lunch, extended hours, or a custom t-shirt

  • Elite tier: small-group coaching, special events, or VIP experiences

This model gives parents flexibility while encouraging natural upsells.

2. Psychological Pricing

Yes, it’s still effective. A $249 camp feels different than $250. Don’t overuse it, but when applied to packages or add-ons, it makes pricing feel more approachable.

3. Dynamic Pricing

Want to fill early spots faster? Open registration with lower pricing that increases as the camp fills. Bonus: This adds urgency without needing big discounts later.

Summer camp

Make It More Affordable Without Decreasing Revenue

You don’t have to lower your prices to be more accessible. Here are smarter ways to support families:

  • Scholarships & Aid: Even offering 5–10 sliding scale or funded spots goes a long way.

  • Installment Plans: Break tuition into 2–4 payments. Many families won’t blink at a $500 camp if it’s split across three months.

  • Early Bird Discounts: Reward early sign-ups with savings, while helping your team forecast staffing and supplies more accurately.

Don’t Forget Your Costs

If your pricing doesn’t account for your own expenses, it’s not sustainable, no matter how many sign-ups you get.

Key Expenses to Factor In:

  • Staffing: Competitive wages, certifications, training time

  • Facility: Rent, utilities, insurance

  • Materials: Arts supplies, sports gear, STEM kits, snacks

  • Extras: Field trips, guest instructors, custom merchandise

Pro tip: Bundle experiences that add value but don’t significantly raise your cost per camper. (Think photo day, themed weeks, or family showcases.)

Parents Need Clarity — Not Just a Price Tag

You can have the best pricing model in the world, but if parents don’t understand what they’re paying for, they won’t bite.

That means:

  • Transparent Breakdown: Show what’s included. Activities, meals, supplies, extended care.

  • Clear Value: Is your camp led by certified instructors? Do kids build real-world skills? Say it.

  • Visible Impact: Share testimonials, before/after stories, photos from last year’s sessions.

Bottom line: When the value is clear, the price makes sense.

What Successful Camps Are Doing Differently This Year

Here’s what we’re seeing across the board from camps that are not only surviving — but growing:

  • Flexible Pricing Options (tiered packages, add-ons, payment plans)

  • Early Marketing with urgency (countdowns, price increases, limited spots)

  • Community Engagement — especially through schools, churches, and local events

  • Better Tech: Tools that automate registrations, send reminders, and handle payments

These aren’t “nice to haves” anymore — they’re what today’s parents expect.

Your Next Step: Audit, Adjust, and Market Smarter

If your 2024 pricing strategy felt like a scramble, this is your year to approach it with structure.

Ask yourself:

  • Are we building in enough margin to cover our real costs?

  • Are we offering flexible ways for families to say yes?

  • Are we communicating our value clearly, not just our price?

The goal isn’t to be the cheapest. It’s to be worth it.

Because when families feel that value, they’ll pay for it — and they’ll come back.

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