Saving Money on Summer Camps While Building Lifelong Skills
How One Mom Discovered a Smarter Way to Empower Her Kids This Summer
Last summer, I found myself staring at a spreadsheet, calculator in hand, with a pit in my stomach. The cost of summer camps for my two kids had ballooned past $2,000—and it wasn’t even mid-July. We had dance camp, art camp, STEM camp, a week with the grandparents, then back to another day camp to fill the gaps. Sure, my kids were entertained, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was pouring money into a patchwork of busy schedules just to keep them occupied. And worse, by August, they seemed more restless than ever.
Then a friend told me about something different: a Home Alone Safety for Kids course and the Red Cross Babysitting Course.
From “Kept Busy” to Building Real Confidence
What struck me was how these programs weren’t just about passing time—they were about gaining life skills. My daughter learned how to safely stay home alone, make decisions in unexpected situations, and handle basic emergencies. My older son took the babysitting course and came home beaming about the leadership games, safety scenarios, and hands-on learning. They weren’t just entertained—they were empowered.
A Smarter Investment (That Cost Way Less)
That summer, instead of spending thousands on week-after-week camps, I spent a few hundred on two impactful courses that:
-
Taught responsibility and independence
-
Boosted their confidence
-
Gave me peace of mind as a parent
Even better? These skills stuck. They started helping more around the house. My daughter stayed home for short periods while I ran errands. My son began babysitting for a neighbour (and earning his own spending money!).
Life Skills That Last Longer Than Summer
This year, we’re doing it again. Not just because it saves money (though it does), but because it gave my kids something no camp had before: a sense of trust in themselves.
So if you’re looking at summer with dread about the cost of camps, or wondering how to help your kids grow into more independent, capable young people—consider this your sign. Skip a day of camp. Enrol in a course that gives your kids real-world confidence.
Learn More:
Explore our Home Alone Safety for Kids and Red Cross Babysitting Courses — available in-person and online across Canada. These programs are fun, empowering, and designed to help kids feel capable, confident, and ready for anything.
