Despite recession-wary parents scrutinizing every penny they spend, area summer camp directors say they're doing better than a year ago.
Enrollment is up for many local day and overnight summer camps, and directors say they've noticed parents looking for the most bang for their buck. Instead of sending their children to multiple broad-based camps, parents are opting for a single, more specialized camp, directors say.
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"No longer are campers doing several sessions in a row," said Carol Huckaby, director of Baylor School's summer programs and outreach, "but rather it's more targeted to particular interests."
Mike and Karin Hughes, who have three children ranging from 3 to 15 years old, said that before the recession hit their kids would attend two to three summer camps each year. But for the past couple of years, they've had to scale back and pay close attention to costs.
"We look for the free things around town, like this," said Mrs. Hughes, 36, as she watched her children run through the fountains at Coolidge Park on Tuesday afternoon. "One of us will be staying home with them this summer. It costs too much for day care and full-time summer camps."
Cathy Loftis, a supervisor for the Hamilton County Department of Education's School Age Child Care program, said she saw more parents choose family care last summer than this year, and now she is seeing an increase in camp enrollment.
"(Last year) I think parents were trying to reach out to all avenues they could to save money," she said. "If they could make arrangements with an aunt or uncle, they would. This summer is better. Our attendance is up for right now."
Enrollment at the North Georgia Community YMCA's camps also is rising, said John Donahoo, senior program director. The camp operates in communities in Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties.
"It's just the first week of camp, so it's kind of hard to know where we'll end up," he said.
Representatives for the Creative Discovery Museum and Tennessee Aquarium also said enrollment has been increasing for their summer camps. Chattanooga Parks and Recreation camps, too, have held steady despite the economic slump, said spokeswoman Rhonda Seeber.
CHEAP FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN* Visit Coolidge Park, where you can picnic, ride the carousel and enjoy the water features.* Take a trip to the Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater in Trenton, Ga., and see a double feature for $5 per person.* Splash in the cascading waters of the Passage while learning about the area's Cherokee Indian history.* Explore thousands of acres of battlefields at the Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain battlefields.* Break out the board games and have a family day or night in.
In Chickamauga, Ga., at Camp New Dawn, Director Jennie Candler said the recession has had little impact on campers signing up for the variety of day and residential camps offered.
"The last two years have been our best years, kind of not going along with that economic downturn," Ms. Candler said.
However, some area camps are seeing sluggish enrollment, in line with penny-pinching parents.
"I have seen a decline in our participation in summer camps," said Erin Noseworthy, manager of multimedia interpretive programs for the Hunter Museum of American Art. "We have had to cancel a couple camps this year, which was really disappointing. I can't say for sure that it's the economy, but I would imagine it's definitely taking a toll."
Brandon and Lacey Powell said they will continue to send their 5- and 7-year-old children to day care for the summer, as they have in previous years, but the recession has affected their vacation plans.
"We're taking vacations nearer to home," Mr. Powell, 26, said. "So it does have an effect."
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