GOTHA, Fla. – According to the American Camp Association, the cost of sending a child to sleep-away camp has tripled to about $450 a day.

What You Need To Know

  • Camp Ithiel saw a 50% drop in campers last summer because of the COVID pandemic

  • Despite continuous rising costs, the Gotha camp won't raise rates

  • The American Camp Association shows the average cost this year for a day camp is 178 dollars – more than double what it was last year

With rising costs everywhere, Camp Ithiel in Gotha says they are going to keep their prices the same from this time a year ago in hopes more kids will come.

 

Every summer for 31 years, Mike Neff has anxiously greeted campers from all across the state to Camp Ithiel.

2021 he did not get to greet or host as many as he would have liked.

“Last year we were at half capacity primarily because parents were concerned and COVID was still in play,” Camp Ithiel Director Mike Neff explains walking the grounds.

 

The camp’s bottom line was down 50%. This summer, it’s everything else affecting the camp. Especially in the kitchen where kids at Camp Ithiel receive three meals a day plus a snack.

“I have noticed food costs up across the board,” Neff begins to say, holding a can of pasta sauce. “We haven’t changed our menu and we still plan on having great meals.”

The 16 acre property has 10 acres that require mowing. Fuel for the lawn equipment, plus camp vans are noticing the pinch at the pumps like everyone else. 

Even the cost of the campers t-shirts have seen a significant increase.

Despite all the camps costs, increasing the cost to their campers won’t. Neff is keeping the price of a one week camp at $375 per child between the age of six and 18. Same price as it was in 2021. His hope is that that strategy will pay off.

“With the blessing of more campers, we should be able to cover our costs,” Neff says. “Then we will see what God allows in the future.”

First week of sleep-away camp at Camp Ithiel begins June 10th.

This Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Camp Ithiel is hosting an open house for families to see the camp, the safety measures they have in place for COVID in the bunks, as well as other precautions they take, and meet the counselors. But from food, to gas, to employees every aspect is costing more, but Camp Ithiel is maintaining their rate to help families, and hopefully encourage more to enroll.