BPRD vs Private Camps: What's the Difference?

One of the most common questions I hear from Bend parents — especially those new to the area — is whether to go with BPRD camps or private providers. The honest answer: both are great, and most families end up doing a mix. Here's how they compare.

BPRD Camps

Bend Park & Recreation District runs the largest summer camp program in the area. Here's what to know:

• Price: Generally more affordable. In-district families get a discount, and scholarships are available.
• Variety: BPRD offers everything from sports and outdoor adventure to art, STEM, and specialty camps. Many are run by partner organizations through the BPRD registration system.
• Structure: Well-organized with consistent policies on drop-off, pickup, and ratios.
• Registration: First-come-first-served for most camps. In-district residents register about a week before out-of-district.
• Locations: Camps run at parks, schools, and rec centers throughout Bend.

Best for: Families looking for affordable, reliable programming with lots of options.

Private Camps

Bend has a growing number of independent camp providers offering specialized experiences:

• Price: Generally higher, but you're often paying for smaller groups, specialized instructors, or unique programming.
• Specialization: This is where you find niche offerings — filmmaking, competitive sports training, wilderness skills, advanced art techniques.
• Flexibility: Some private camps offer non-standard schedules (3-day sessions, weekend options, half-day intensives).
• Registration: Timelines vary. Some fill up even faster than BPRD.

Best for: Families looking for a specific skill focus, smaller group sizes, or specialized instruction.

So Which Should You Choose?

Here's what works for a lot of Bend families: use BPRD as your base and sprinkle in private camps for special interests. BPRD covers your week-to-week needs reliably and affordably, and private camps let your kid go deep on something they love.

A few other things to consider:

• Aftercare: BPRD offers extended care for many camps. Check private providers individually.
• Scholarships: BPRD has a formal scholarship program. Some private providers offer them too — always worth asking.
• Your kid's input: By age 8 or so, most kids have strong opinions. Let them help choose.

On Kamp, you can filter by provider to compare BPRD and private options side by side. That's kind of the whole reason I built this thing.

— Lisa