Ready to Enroll? Here’s What to Expect

So you and your family have decided on the perfect camp and are finally ready to enroll? Congrats! You’re almost done with the wild parental rite-of-passage that is the overnight summer camp search. But before you celebrate, keep the following in mind as you begin the enrollment process:

Submitting an application doesn’t guarantee enrollment

Filling out an application and hitting submit is the first major step of enrollment but may not guarantee your child’s spot just yet. There might be a few more small steps the camp wants you to do before your child is officially accepted and enrolled. This can include paying the deposit or registration fee or even getting on a call with the camp.

Camps will probably connect with you before accepting

It’s common these days for camps to connect with prospective families prior to accepting their application. If you haven’t already talked with them, this is simply to get to know you better, understand your family’s needs and goals, and make sure their camp is the right overall fit for your kid.

Pay the deposit, it secures their spot

Most camps require a nonrefundable deposit to enroll so be sure to pay that as soon as you can. Doing this essentially secures your child’s spot for that summer.

Understand the payment schedule

This will vary by camp but make sure you understand the payment expectations. Some camps may offer installments while others want it paid in full by a certain date.

Know the refund policy

Life happens so it’s worth knowing what their refund policy is for early withdrawal, cancellation, or dismissal. Some camps are reasonably accommodating for life events while others have very firm refund policies.

Consider tuition insurance if available

Ever since COVID, the idea of insuring your child’s tuition has gained popularity and more camps are starting to offer it. If available, tuition insurance could offer you financial peace of mind.

Once enrolled, stay on top of next steps

It’s very important to stay on top of any additional steps the camp may have for you after enrollment. Things like reading the welcome packet, signing up on the parent portal, coordinating travel plans, and completing necessary paperwork all need to done sooner than later. So stay on top of things and don’t wait until the last minute.