Many families still struggling to make summer camp plans

CBS 12 News | By Lena Salzbank | June 22, 2021

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — June 18 was the last day of school for Palm Beach County Public Schools, and summer programs are already underway.

Parents across Palm Beach County rushed to get their children into summer camps, but the task proved to be difficult as Florida summer camps put kids on waitlists due to limited capacity.

CBS12 spoke with a West Palm Beach mother who said she signed her 5-year-old daughter up for camp back in April, and despite her early planning, her daughter was still unable to attend the first week of camp.

Limited capacity was not the only concern this season, parents say the price of after-school programs and summer programs are unaffordable for many residents in the area.

Some day camps charge upwards of $250 a week, and the cost does not include field trips.

A report by the Afterschool Alliance says for every child in an afterschool program in Florida three more children are waiting to get in.

The report also says there are now nearly 25 million children who aren’t able to access afterschool programs and the trend.

Image: At the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County staff is working around the clock to prepare for a possible fully-virtual summer camp. Last year, more than 900 kids attended their summer camp. (Boys & Girls Club PBC)