Summer Camp Costs in Canada 2026: Nearly 8 in 10 Parents Say Camps Have Become More Expensive

Key Summary

We surveyed 261 Canadian parents to understand how families feel about the rising cost of summer camps.

Key findings:

79% believe summer camps have become more expensive.
45.4% say camps are much too expensive.
33.6% say camps are somewhat more expensive.
Just 2.7% believe prices have stayed about the same.
Only 0.4% think summer camps have become more affordable.

Summer camp costs in Canada 2026 poll: 79% of parents say camps have become more expensive — 45.4% much too expensive, 33.6% somewhat more expensive, 2.7% about the same, 0.4% more affordable, 17.6% don't use camps — CanadianParent poll of 261 parents

Canadian Parents Are Feeling the Rising Cost of Summer Camp

Summer camp has long been a summer tradition for Canadian children, providing opportunities to stay active, build friendships and develop new skills outside the classroom. For many working families, camps also play an important role in bridging the gap between the end of the school year and the start of September.

But as household expenses continue to rise, many parents are questioning whether summer camp is becoming a luxury rather than a routine part of childhood.

Our latest Canadian Parent poll suggests affordability is becoming a major concern for families across the country.

Poll results:

45.4% say summer camps are much too expensive.
33.6% believe they’re somewhat more expensive than in previous years.
17.6% don’t currently use summer camps.
2.7% feel prices have stayed about the same.
0.4% think camps have become more affordable.

Overall, nearly 8 in 10 parents say camp costs have increased.

Why Are Summer Camps Becoming More Expensive?

Parents aren’t imagining it.

Across Canada, many camp operators have faced rising operating costs over the past several years. Inflation has increased the price of food, supplies, transportation and facility maintenance, while organizations have also seen higher staffing, insurance and program delivery costs.

Specialty camps—including sports, technology, performing arts and outdoor adventure programs—often require specialized equipment and trained instructors, contributing to even higher registration fees.

While these investments can improve children’s experiences, they also place additional financial pressure on families registering for multiple weeks of camp.

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How Families Are Adapting

For many households, the rising cost of camp is changing how summer is planned.

Rather than enrolling children for the entire summer, many parents are combining different childcare options to reduce costs.

Common strategies include:

registering for fewer weeks of camp
choosing municipal recreation programs
relying on grandparents or relatives
coordinating vacation time between parents
mixing camp weeks with unstructured time at home

As camp fees continue to rise, flexibility has become increasingly important for many families.

What the Research Says

Although cost is a growing concern, research continues to highlight the benefits of quality summer programs.

According to the American Camp Association, children who attend camp often develop greater confidence, independence, social skills and resilience while participating in structured activities away from school.

Research from Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child also emphasizes that supportive relationships, opportunities for play and new experiences help build important life skills throughout childhood.

At the same time, experts acknowledge that meaningful summer experiences don’t have to come from expensive specialty camps. Time spent outdoors, reading, exploring nature and participating in community activities all contribute to healthy child development.

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Why Summer Camp Matters Beyond Childcare

While many parents rely on summer camps to help cover childcare during the school break, the benefits often extend far beyond simply keeping children occupied.

For many kids, camp provides opportunities to develop independence by trying new activities, solving problems on their own and making decisions outside of the classroom. It can also help children build confidence as they master new skills, whether that’s learning to swim, creating artwork, playing a sport or simply making a new friend.

Summer camps also encourage social development. Children spend time with peers from different schools and backgrounds, helping them strengthen communication, teamwork and conflict-resolution skills. These experiences can be especially valuable for children who thrive in smaller group settings or who are looking to build confidence before returning to school in the fall.

Research also suggests that structured summer programs can help reduce the “summer slide”—the learning loss that some students experience during the long break from school. While camps aren’t intended to replace classroom learning, many include activities that encourage reading, problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking in fun, engaging ways. According to the RAND Corporation, high-quality summer learning programs can help students maintain academic skills while also supporting social and emotional development.

Of course, camp isn’t the only way children can enjoy a rewarding summer. Family vacations, library programs, outdoor adventures, community events and unstructured play all provide valuable opportunities for learning and growth. The key takeaway is that meaningful summer experiences don’t have to come with a premium price tag. Every family has different financial circumstances, and there are many ways to help children stay active, curious and connected throughout the summer months.

Key Insight: Affordability Is Becoming a Barrier

The most significant finding from our poll isn’t simply that parents think camps are expensive—it’s how overwhelming that sentiment has become.

With 79% of respondents saying camp costs have increased, affordability appears to be affecting how many families plan their summers.

As the cost of living continues to rise, more parents may find themselves balancing the well-known benefits of camp with the realities of household budgets.

Making quality summer programming accessible to more families may become an increasingly important conversation for communities, municipalities and camp providers alike.

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Expert Commentary

“Summer camp offers children opportunities to build confidence, friendships and independence, but our poll shows affordability is becoming a real challenge for many Canadian families. As costs continue to rise, parents are looking for creative ways to give their children memorable summers without stretching the family budget.”

— Cory Arsic, Founder, CanadianParent.ca

Related Resources

Looking for affordable ways to keep kids engaged this summer? You may find these resources helpful:

External Resources

Canadian Parks and Recreation Association – Information about recreation programs and community initiatives across Canada.
YMCA Canada – Summer camps and family recreation programs offered in communities nationwide.

Methodology

This study is based on responses from 261 Canadian parents collected through the Canadian Parent polling platform.

Audience: Canadian parents
Data collection: CanadianParent on-site poll
Survey question: “Are summer camps becoming too expensive?”
Field period: Summer 2026

Cite This Study

CanadianParent.ca (2026). Summer Camp Costs in Canada 2026: Nearly 8 in 10 Parents Say Camps Have Become More Expensive.

Final Note

Summer camp remains an important part of childhood for many Canadian families, but our findings suggest affordability is becoming an increasingly significant barrier. As families look for ways to balance enriching experiences with rising living costs, conversations around accessible recreation are likely to continue well beyond this summer.