Bend Summer Camp Guide for Working Parents

Let's be real: summer camp isn't just about giving kids an amazing experience — it's also about childcare. If you're a working parent in Bend, you know the math: school ends in mid-June, work doesn't, and you need a plan that covers roughly 10 weeks. Here's how to make it work.

Map Out the Full Summer First

Grab a calendar and block out the weeks between school ending (usually mid-June) and school starting (early September). Now mark:

• Any family vacations or trips
• Weeks you absolutely need full-day coverage
• Weeks where you have flexibility (maybe a grandparent visits, or you take time off)

This gives you a clear picture of how many camp weeks you actually need to fill.

Prioritize Full-Day Camps with Aftercare

For working parents, the non-negotiable is usually: drop-off by 8:30, pickup after 4:00. Here's how to find that:

• BPRD full-day camps typically run 9am–4pm, with extended care available until 5:30pm for an additional fee.
• Private full-day camps vary, but many run 9am–3pm or 9am–4pm. Check if they offer before/after care.
• On Kamp, filter for "Full day" and check the aftercare tag to quickly find camps that fit a work schedule.

The Half-Day Hack

Sometimes the perfect camp is only half-day. Don't rule it out — here are workarounds:

• Stack two half-day camps (AM art camp + PM sports camp). It takes coordination but it works.
• Pair with a sitter or nanny share for the other half of the day.
• Use half-day weeks for the weeks you have more flexibility.

Budget Realistically

Summer camp for working parents isn't cheap. A rough Bend budget:

• BPRD full-day + extended care: ~$250–400/week per kid
• Private specialty camps: ~$300–600/week per kid
• 10 weeks x 1 kid: $2,500–5,000 for the summer

Look into BPRD scholarships early — they're need-based and can significantly reduce costs. Some employers also offer dependent care FSAs that cover camp.

Build in Buffer Weeks

Don't book every single week solid. Kids get tired. Camp fatigue is real, usually around week 6 or 7. If you can, keep one or two weeks lighter — a half-day camp, a week with grandparents, or a family staycation.

Share the Load

Talk to other parents. Carpool arrangements, shared pickup schedules, and "swap weeks" where families take turns hosting playdates can fill gaps and reduce stress.

The summer puzzle is solvable. It just takes a little planning upfront. And that's exactly what Kamp is here to help with.

— Lisa