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They’re spending lots on their tots as the weather gets hot.
New York City moms and dads aren’t sweating the small stuff this summer. They are, however, sweating bullets over the big tuition fees — some totaling over $30,000 — imposed by Big Apple day camps, as well as aftercare babysitters, for their kiddos.
“The cost of summer camp in New York City will blow your mind,” Chelsea Stelly, a Manhattan-based mother of three sons, captioned a toe-curling clip in which she reveals the exorbitant expense of summertime childcare across the boroughs.
The money-minded mama, a self-proclaimed “recovering Wall Streeter,” offered four examples of the camps she’s considering for her brood of boys, including full-day and half-day sports programs.
Unfortunately for the brunette and other parents working 9-to-5 or beyond, most local camps conclude at approximately 4:00 p.m., forcing folks to hire childcare professionals to mind their little ones until the end-of-day whistle blows.
“I have three kids so [I’m] looking at $33,000 just for summer camp,” said Stelly of the highest amount she may pay this season.
For the fortunate few, cutting a hefty check to a luxury summer camp is no big deal.
In fact, a faction of the affluent even sends their kids to chi-chi sleepaways in style, chartering private planes to transport them from concrete jungle to the scenic landscapes of New England for seven-week stays at $20,000 a pup.
The slightly less lavish are shipping their children off for international getaways in Morocco, Amsterdam, Poland and Switzerland, where camps cost roughly $800 for the entire summer session.
Stelly, whose cheapest NYC childcare option is sports day camp, with hours of operation from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., is seeking $9,350 per kid.
“That sounds reasonable until you realize that camp ends around 4:00 p.m.,” she groaned. “So if you work, you’re adding a babysitter at $35 an hour to bridge you to 6:00 p.m. every single day.”
In total, the two-month commitment would cost the Gothamite $28,150, according to her math. But rather than forking over a chunk of her income to camp, she’s taking her family overseas.
“If you ever wonder why New York City parents book vacation the last two weeks of August,” said Stelly, “it’s because a trip to Europe is literally cheaper than two more weeks of summer camp.”
And the cash-conscious content creator is not alone.
“I send mine to Europe every summer…Less than $2,000 for 2.5 months,” a commenter chimed in.
“100%!!! I take my kids on more trips bc I’d rather give them experiences than pay for another week of camp,” wrote another.
A separate onlooker agreed, noting that her family, “determined it was cheaper to spend six weeks in Europe than to put [the kids] in summer camp.”
“They’ve been going to different parts of Europe for the past 10+ years each summer,” she continued. “The kids have gotten the best education and [have enjoyed better] experiences than just going to a weekly camp local to home. So smart!!!.”
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