How much does it cost to send a child to summer camp?

Between half and a third of the salary "turned" to the summer center to send the child for the entire month of July. This is the reality for millions of families, 30% of Italian families who cannot count on the help of grandparents, at the end of school. The minimum expense is 240 euros per month but it can easily reach 600 euros per month and more if you choose a sports center that together with the oratories are among the favorites to finish with the municipal centers. These amounts increase when extra activities are organized such as trips, excursions and particular sports courses. The most popular formula is to enroll the child for two or four weeks. The latter duration is the one that collects the greatest number of registrations, a clear indication that this service has become indispensable for families. This is what a survey conducted on a representative sample of parents carried out by Altroconsumo together with ACmakers reveals.

The most popular options were municipal summer camps, sports centers, school facilities, and oratories or religious institutions. In the case of only one child enrolled, the most frequent choice is sports centers, followed by activities managed by religious institutions. Municipal centers are less popular. For families with two children, again according to Altroconsumo's findings, the oratory and the sports center are indicated with similar frequency, while even in this case municipal centers remain a more marginal choice. It is interesting to note that, in the majority of cases, families choose a single facility for the entire duration of the selected period. Only a portion of parents opt for different solutions depending on the week, combining, for example, a sports center and an oratory.

In the vast majority of cases, parents do not encounter any problems during the first weeks of attending summer camps. However, some critical issues emerge from the responses collected. The most common complaints concern the quality of the canteen or snacks, disorganization in communication with families, and unfulfilled promises regarding services announced during registration, such as, for example, some advertised activities not actually being available. Some parents also reported opening hours that were too limited, a serious problem for those who work until late afternoon. In other cases, the need to adapt the spaces was highlighted: more shaded areas are needed, especially considering the high temperatures in summer.

"Before choosing a summer camp, you should ask for a detailed program of activities and check what is included in the fee - advises Paolo Cazzaniga, market analyst -. If you plan to use the service for several weeks, it is best to find out in advance about any reductions for extended registrations or for more children. In addition, some facilities offer ISEE discounts, but it is necessary to apply in advance".