Tier Pricing Explained
We are proud that all of our camp programs are well below the industry average of $2,690/week for overnight camp, and grateful for our partnership with the New England Annual Conference of the UMC, whose financial support ensures we are able to reach as many families as possible.
Our Tier Pricing system recognizes the costs related to the camp experience while allowing families to select the level of payment most appropriate for their circumstances. Each family may freely select the Tier that is right for them, and every child will receive the same camp experience regardless of the level chosen.
For example, families sending multiple children to camp might select a lower Tier.
Tier Pricing Levels - How it Works
Tier 1: SUSTAINING
Our Sustaining Tier reflects what it actually costs to operate Wanakee, including year-round, professional staff. For over 60 years, support from the United Methodist Church has allowed us to run summer camp while charging fees lower than our costs. In 2024 alone, we anticipate this support from the UMC to exceed $115,000.
With changing realities for the denomination and the possibility of decreased funding, our Sustaining Tier is a chance for all of us who love Wanakee to step in and keep camp as financially accessible as possible now and in the future. This Tier includes an additional $150 ($75 for half weeks) that will be used for strategic expenses, such as deferred maintenance, strengthening our reserves, and other future-oriented investments. If you are inspired to pay this amount, we are grateful. Thank you.
Tier 2: Default
Tier 2 is our traditional, subsidized, cost, which is only available because of support from New England United Methodists. This rate reflects the cost of our summer operations, including summer staff, food service, insurance, vehicles, activity costs, etc. It does not cover the salary and benefits for our Executive Director. If you are able to pay this amount, please do so. Thank you.
Tier 3: sponsored
Tier 3 is more heavily subsidized through generous donations to Wanakee by individuals and churches. This rate is available for families who need assistance to send children to camp. Choose this rate if your family has the need.
SCHOLARSHIPS
If you need additional financial assistance, please contact the office. Scholarships are available and we are eager to work with you to make camp possible for your family.
TIER PRICING (Long Answer)
Wanakee’s summer camps have been underwritten spiritually and financially by the family of congregations called the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. Through their annual collective support of ministries called “mission shares”, the Conference has made an ongoing impact around the world, including at Wanakee and our sibling camp and retreat ministries. Wanakee has returned that support by partnering with churches to form faith and develop leadership in young people.
Now, as our churches face challenges presented by the pandemic and by ongoing denominational strife, the finances of the Conference are changing, and we need to prepare for the future.
As we’ve assessed our needs for summer 2024, the unanticipated external realities of inflationary pressures, and rising wages spurred by a tight job market, have continued to challenge our efforts to minimize fee increases. Prudence demands fee increases for this coming summer, though we’ve kept them as minimal as we dared.
We’ll count once again on those who love camp to help others afford it through “Tiered Pricing”. We’ve incorporated our Campership Program into “Tier 3”, which automatically includes a larger subsidy for families who need it. Families who would not otherwise be able to send their kids to camp are also strongly encouraged to apply to the Campership Fund, the purpose of which is to receive and distribute donated funds that ensure every child can attend our camp programs.
Our “Default” camp fee is “Tier 2”, the normal subsidized rate. Above that, the “Sustaining” camp fee is “Tier 1,” and represents the actual, unsubsidized cost of camp, not including donor dollars used to maintain and improve our facility.
During registration all campers will default to the Tier 2, “Default”, camp fee. Each family will have the chance to choose: Tier 3 (Subsidized - $625 for a full week, $315 for a half week), Tier 2 (Default - $775 for a full week, $390 for a half week), Tier 1 (Sustaining - $925 for a full week, $465 for a half week).
We are aware that our recent camp fee increases are part of a challenging pattern of increased prices. Nationally, the average cost of overnight camp increased to $449/day in 2022 (per Tom Rosenburg, President/CEO of the American Camp Association). At Wanakee, we remain committed to the most competitive pricing we can responsibly offer, and are proud to offer overnight camp at a cost of $105/day for those selecting our sponsored Tier, an increase of 3% from 2023, just under the cost of inflation. We have worked diligently to manage our expenses, and are optimistic that those who are inspired and able will partner with us in these challenging economic times by selecting our Default or Sustaining Tiers.
We know that families have differing abilities to pay for a summer camping experience and that you know your family’s financial situation better than we do. It’s our hope that by sharing the true costs related to the camp experience, our families can select the level of payment most appropriate for their financial circumstances. We want to be present for your camper throughout their camping years, even as your family’s circumstances change. Of course, regardless of the Tier chosen, every camper will receive the same, high quality camp experience. And, as always, we believe that no camper be unable to attend camp because of money. Our Campership Fund is available to families facing financial hardship. You can download the application here, and we look forward to partnering with you.