Summer camp fundraising ideas that drive support

Summer camp is an eye-opening experience for campers to learn about themselves, make new friends, and develop new skills. Most importantly, camp is guaranteed summer fun. Whether that is a sports camp, science camp, arts camp, or cultural enrichment camp, there are many great options.

If you need financial help sending your child to summer camp, you’re not alone. Many parents have used fundraising as a way of helping cover rising costs of summer camp enrollment—here are fundraising ideas on how to raise money for your child’s summer camp.

Start a summer camp fundraiser

How much does summer camp cost?

Camps come in all shapes and sizes, and so costs vary widely. Prices generally range between $50-$500 per week for summer day camps and between $1000-$2000 for week-long overnight camps. If your child attends a specialty camp or special needs camp, this might come at an additional cost.

Each camp will have a different summer program, facilities, and staffing requirements. Costs can quickly add up, especially once you factor in field trips, camp activities, and supplies, such as arts and crafts.

Crowdfunding for summer camp

Crowdfunding is an ideal platform for drumming up support from friends, family, social networks, and beyond. Create your fundraiser with a compelling story about what you hope your child will gain from summer camp, along with plenty of good photos and a video. Then make sure to share it via social media and email, and encourage your connections to do the same.

Being vulnerable helps, so explain why you need the financial support for camp. If it’s to provide child care support so you can work a full day, this might resonate with other working parents.

Note: If you’re between 13 and 17 years old, make sure to get your parent or guardian’s permission to start a GoFundMe; if you’re 12 or younger, ask your parent or guardian to start the fundraiser for you.

Six summer camp fundraising ideas

There are plenty of innovative ways to raise money for summer camp.

1. Letter campaign

Help your child, or if they are old enough, ask them to write a letter that explains why they are looking forward to attending summer camp. Ensure the child also thanks people in advance for helping them get to camp. Scan or take a photo of the letter and add it to your GoFundMe fundraiser for mass reach.

2. Social media nostalgia

One great way to motivate people to donate to your fundraiser is to remind them of the amazing time they had when they went to a camp growing up. Post on Facebook, Instagram, or X and ask people to share a favorite memory or photo of their summer camp experience. Include the link to your fundraiser and ask if they would consider donating even $10 to help send your child to camp.

3. Community cleanup

A great fundraising event would be to volunteer to clean up a local park, beach, river, or other natural area. You can reach out to people in your community to sponsor you and your child in the form of a donation to your fundraiser. Ask donors to give an allotted amount for each pound of trash you pick up. This will not only help you with fundraising but also help to maintain the natural beauty of your neighborhood. People will likely jump at the opportunity to both help you and their community.

4. Reach out to the camp

Send your fundraiser link to the camp director via email and ask if they have any camp counselors, alumni, or supporters that they can pass the link to the fundraiser on your behalf.

5. Get crafty

A great way to raise funding is to create something that embodies your child’s dream to go to summer camp, such as a friendship bracelet. Rally some of your friends together and ask them to help you make friendship bracelets to give to people who donate to your fundraiser.

You can also set up a craft booth to sell bracelets you make in your neighborhood. People can either donate to your fundraiser or they can simply make a cash donation to help your cause at your booth.

6. Parents’ night out

Offer to help parents in your community get the date night they deserve. Whether they need babysitting or pet sitting, you can offer your services on Friday and Saturday nights so that they get some necessary time off to have some fun.

1. Mariah’s gymnastics summer camp

Part of a proud Air Force family, Vanessa is the mother of four children. Her daughter Mariah’s passion is gymnastics, and she’s been surpassing her coach’s expectations with her drive and dedication. Vanessa wanted to fulfill her daughter’s dream of going to gymnastics camp, but money is tight with a single military income. That’s when she turned to GoFundMe, sharing her daughter’s story.

She posted great photos of Mariah on the balance beam and performing her floor routine, which helped demonstrate her enthusiasm for her sport. Once her friends and family helped her reach her $800 goal, Vanessa was able to share the good news with her daughter: She was going to gymnastics camp that summer.

2. Addison’s summer camp experience

Addison is a happy, funny kid who loves performing with his school chorus and enjoying family dinners. His mother, Kelli, was thrilled to find a camp location near their home that is fully accessible for kids like Addison who have disabilities. The only obstacle was the cost.

Kelli started a GoFundMe, explaining how much a camp with swimming, canoeing, and other outdoor activities would mean to Addison. Friends and family pitched in, and Kelli was able to reach her goal of $650. In her last update, Kelli shared how Addison was “beyond happy” for his upcoming summer camp experience.

Get set for camp

Get started by creating your own summer camp fundraiser. GoFundMe makes the setup process simple so you can have your fundraiser up and running within minutes. With no platform fee, more money goes toward making your summer camp dreams a reality.

Start your summer camp fundraiser