Prepare the funds: Parents of children are usually left with no choice between July and August and have to pay huge sums for summer camps. There are cases in which parents register their children for several cycles, which amounts to thousands of shekels.
This year, as in many areas, there has been an increase in prices in the field of summer camps. Although there are companies that have not raised prices, these are still very high sums, which weigh on parents' ongoing expenses, especially during the summer, when there are many expenses, as is well known.
The community centers of the National Community Center Society throughout the country offer a wide range of summer camps, beyond the "school of the great vacation", during the months of July and August. The company notes that this year as well, the prices of the company's summer camps for community centers are about 20%-15% lower than others, and that they vary according to the theme of the camp, the content, the cost of materials, as well as the duration of the camp, which ranges from three weeks to a month and a half.
Regarding prices, the company says that there has been no increase this year, but there has been an increase in the price of summer camps that include outdoor attractions or unique materials. This is an increase of less than 10 per cent. It should be noted that the summer vacation school camps run by the local community centers are subsidized by the Ministry of Education according to socioeconomic cluster up to third grade. But even in summer camps for other ages, most community centers maintained the same costs, thanks in part to subsidies from the authorities.
The kids are busy - parents pay, photo: Michelle Dot Com
For example, at the Community and Leisure Network in Holon, this is the third year in which the Holon Municipality subsidizes the summer camps. The first cohort in kindergartens and schools, as part of the Ministry of Education's "Kindergartens and Schools of the Great Vacation" outline, is intended for kindergarten children and children in grades 750-20. The cost of the summer camp will also be NIS 7 this year on July 2-July 7 between 16:00-07:30 for kindergarten children, and between 16:00-08:00 for children in grades <>-<>, including a hot lunch.
At the Gush Etzion Community Center, a sports camp and camp for children in grades 2-7 from July 20 to July 7 from 13:00-08:00, including excursions to attractions, excursions and a pool, is offered at a cost of NIS 1,290 upon prior registration.
"Economic uncertainty"
According to Tal Basaks, CEO of the National Community Center Company: "Educational frameworks for children during vacation, especially during periods of economic uncertainty, are critical for the continued functioning of families and for maintaining continuity of work during the summer vacation. Thanks to the close cooperation with the authorities, who understand the needs of the residents and mobilize to help, we can make it easier for parents to cope with the expenses of the summer vacation.
"This year as well, we did not see an increase in prices in most of the summer camps run by the company's community centers, except for camps that include external attractions or unique materials, where the price increased by a few percent due to the increase in external costs. This is an increase of less than 10 per cent, and in many cases, as stated, no increase at all."
Photo: Yossi Zeliger // Scouts,
Kimama's summer camps include several types of camps in different locations, among others: an overnight camp in Mikhmoret and a day camp in Tel Aviv without lodging.
The day camp in Tel Aviv takes place for five days in Hayarkon Park in the Beresheet Forest complex, and it combines children and youth from around the world. The price of a 5-day cycle until 16:00 is NIS 2,632. Kimama Galim overnight camp in Mikhmoret includes 10 days with accommodation costs 10,413 NIS.
As for prices, the day camp in Tel Aviv is new and is taking place this year for the first time. At Camp Galim there was a 5% increase in price compared to last year. The price increase, the company explains, is a result of operating costs in light of the price increases that have occurred.
Scout summer camps also have a 15% price increase compared to last year. The viewers said: "The increase is mainly due to changes in the cost of living. In recent months, the movement has done everything in its power to reduce costs vis-à-vis the various suppliers, security and medicine, food and transportation. The movement, ever since, will find a way to support campers who need assistance to go to the various summer projects."
There are cheap options
As every year, Eshkolot will hold summer camps throughout the country, combining experiential activities, knowledge of the country and imparting educational values. Summer camps will operate throughout the country in June, July and August at subsidized prices.
For example, the price of an agricultural camp in Halutza – a "pioneering camp" – will be held at Midreshet Netzarim in Bnei Netzarim near the Gaza Strip on July 5-7 and is intended for girls from the national-religious sector who graduate from grades 2-7. The activities will include agricultural work, empowerment activities, a pool and more. Cost: 690 NIS.
Eshkolot said, "This year we were required to raise the prices of some of the summer camps, in light of the wave of price increases that also hurt this industry. However, the prices of Eshkolot summer camps have always been lower than others, and this is a minor increase and a great effort has been made to prevent a sharper increase."
Holmes Place Group offers summer camps for children, with a variety of sports activities and pool activities during the summer months. For example, Go Active Kiryat Ono offers the first session on August 10-8 (23 days) for NIS 7,15 until 2:990, including breakfast and lunch, or NIS 16,00 until 2:590, including breakfast only. A second session on August 13-00, i.e., 17 days at Go Active Kiryat Ono, will cost NIS 8,13.
Helen Doron, which teaches English to children, will run English learning camps in cooperation with Beit Emanuel Enterprises at Blich High School in Ramat Gan, for immigrants to grades 20-7. The camp will take place on July 9-7 between 13:00-09:00 and will offer English language learning in small groups according to ages, as well as two fun days in leading sports complexes. The price isNIS 399 and is the same as last year.
Spark Academy is a summer camp in Tzahala, which will take place from July 3-8 for grades 30-7. During the week of camp, the children will experience 15 different workshops, such as aerospace, architecture, juggling, cyber and artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, 1D printing, pre-medicine and animation, scientific experiments, missile launches, theater and more. Price: 980,<> NIS.
Prepare the cash // Photo: Dudu Greenspan,
According to Karin Moscone Yousefidis, developer of the SPARK program, "We decided not to raise the price of summer camp this year, even though our construction and operating costs have risen along with the rest of the economy. We are connected to our customers, so the prices have remained the same."
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