Registration for Chicago Park District’s common summer season camps opens this week, however some dad and mom are feeling some sticker shock.
On-line registration opened Monday morning for the Chicago Park District summer season camps west of California Avenue and all digital packages. At 9 a.m. Tuesday, on-line registration for camps east of California opens. Registration for gymnastics packages will open at midday.
The district’s packages embody sports activities, health and humanities, which had been made out there for viewing on the park district’s web site on April 7. Day camp runs from June 23 to Aug. 1, with most different summer season packages happening from June 16 to Aug. 10.
Final fall, the district stated a “modest” worth improve for summer season day camps can be included on this 12 months’s funds. However for Johanna Paul, a mom of two in Lincoln Park, that modest improve was a 40% bounce.
Her two sons, ages 7 and 9, attended camp final summer season at Wrightwood Park. The boys had a blast, particularly as a result of they acquired to swim and play soccer.
“We all the time heard nice issues about park district camps, however we didn’t get an opportunity to strive until final summer season,” Paul stated. “And so they beloved it. They’re well-run and supply nice actions at a fantastic worth. Plus lunch was included.”
In order that they determined to enroll once more for this summer season. However final week when the district supplied previews for this 12 months’s programming, the value for the six-week camp at Wrighwood was $460 per child, up from final 12 months’s per-kid fee of $330.
“With one child, you’ll be able to most likely handle that improve. However for us, we’re all the time having to multiply the value, and that value simply wasn’t possible for us this 12 months,” Paul stated.
The park district defended the value improve in a press release to the Solar-Instances. A spokesperson stated the registration prices for camps had been lower in half in 2020 “to supply aid to households dealing with monetary uncertainties.”
“To deliver charges again as much as pre-Covid ranges and to handle rising operational prices, charges are being raised for this summer season,” the spokesperson stated within the assertion. “Even with these changes, day camp charges stay beneath pre-pandemic, 2019 ranges at 97% of Chicago parks.”
The very best camp value this 12 months will likely be $4 per hour and the typical value throughout all camps is $1.39 an hour. The district does supply assist for households that want it, together with a cost plan and monetary help for qualifying households.
“The Chicago Park District stays dedicated to delivering distinctive summer season camp experiences at an accessible worth,” the assertion stated.
Paul’s youngsters gained’t be becoming a member of the camps this summer season due to the value improve. However she understands why the district raised costs and stated it’s nonetheless much more inexpensive than non-public camps within the metropolis. Her sons are additionally enrolled in different camps for this summer season.
“I want there was extra of a heads up about how a lot the rise was going to be, then I might have managed my expectations,” Paul stated. “It’s nonetheless a fantastic deal and I believe individuals undoubtedly must be doing the park district camps.”
These wanting to join the packages must have an lively account to register. The park district suggests double-checking your e mail and password, making a want record of packages, updating your account particulars and utilizing a desktop or laptop computer for an optimum registration expertise.
In-person registration takes place Saturday and April 21 and varies by the park.
Contributing: Saman Creel
