Freaking out....camp.

OK, so DH is in the Union and his job is always up in the air these days. I have been hesitant to commit to day camp for 5-6k before now, but I am realizing, I really have no choice.

We kept Bella in pre-k summer camp last year and they were SUPER flexible going up and down on days per month based on work schedule. Plus, it was 1000 bucks a month (because it was an extension of her daycare, which is a steal compared to some of these camps

So I need help looking for a SOUTH SHORE, WESTERN NASSAU camps. Need to make a decision ASAP.

I have another option of a friend watching her with her kids...it would be super structured (she has a pool, activities planned, the works!) and it would probably be like 3k -ish...

The cons...she is about 30 minutes east and north, which adds over an hour and a half to my commute in the AM and DH's commute in the PM. BUT, the flexibility if I don't need 5 days a week is there...and it's SOOOO much cheaper!

Thoughts?

I was looking into Coleman's and bad reviews, Rolling River which is about 30 seconds from my house, Merrick Woods...what am I missing?

Re: Freaking out....camp.

Does the TOB have camp programs - i would think that they do - with extended days. Town camps are very affordable. What about a YMCA? Bayshore might be too far east for you?

Re: Freaking out....camp.

I know the county does a day camp at Wantagh park and a few other parks in the summers that I've heard is good and very inexpensive. I think it is closed on rainy days, but I'm not 100% sure. Maybe you can look into that.

Re: Freaking out....camp.

My daughter used to go to Coleman, great camp, very pricey though which is wha i stopped, i now have two kids that need camp and it was way over my budget. Rolling River is a great camp too, I know a lot of people that send their kids there. They are a smidge cheaper than Coleman. There is Merrick Woods,Twin Oaks(Merrick). What about the summer programs in the schools? I also hard good things about Malibu Day Camp which is fairly new in the Atlantic Beach/Lido area.

Re: Freaking out....camp.

I grew up right by Rolling River and it's been there forever! When we were kids, the big camp was Camp DeBaun, on Atlantic Avenue in Oceanside by Dee's, but I am pretty sure they closed

I know Town camps are good, but I don't think they are what you are looking for. I could be wrong, where I am now, the Town of Oyster Bay camps don't hold the kids over lunch and they aren't running in rain.

Anyway, while the private person to watch your child seems good, the extra commute will wear you in the long run.

I don't have any other advice. I am looking for something this summer for my 2, but I only work pt and can't afford to send them somewhere ft, kwim?

Re: Freaking out....camp.

I wish I could give you my recommendation but I am in Town of Islip and I pay $1,000 for 8 weeks.

Re: Freaking out....camp.

The little secret regarding camp these days is you can negotiate terms.

A lot of camps are quietly allowing parents to buy weeks and use them in days. So maybe buy 3-4 weeks with the possibility of adding on as you go.

In addition, you really can wait until you are closer to summer and maybe have more clarity because very few camps were full last summer. Last summer, even Parkshore was running ads through August.

Message edited 2/10/2011 11:03:43 AM.

Re: Freaking out....camp.

Do you have a SportsTime near you? It's still pricey but it also has as a pp suggested you buy certain weeks and negotiate with the days you don't use.

Re: Freaking out....camp.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I am sorry it took me a quick second to get back...I guess the days of being on LIF all the time are over

Chmlengr---Camp Debaun did close a few years back...the are converting it to a Super Stop and Shop.

I am going to check out each and every rec you guys have. Rolling River would for sure being the easiest because I can practically walk Bella over there in the AM.

It's just that DH and I have such unorthodox jobs. He in the Union and me as a consultant. We are literally in a struggle to cover 5:30 am - 8 am for the next couple of weeks as I have to fly back and forth from San Diego for work. And then just when we work things out...he is off for a month...so we never can settle into a groove. Who knows where we will be in the summertime...he may work overtime until like 6 pm and I work in the city...

And 2Girls, thanks for the negotiating tip. I never know that kind of stuff. I do it all the time at work...you would think I would be my OWN advocate.