At Camp Kirk, we believe every child deserves a place to belong — a space where they are seen, supported, and celebrated exactly as they are. Our community makes that possible. Families contribute what they can, and generous donors and partners help cover the rest.
As we prepare for the 2026 camp season, we want to share what it really costs to make the Camp Kirk experience happen and how we’re working to keep it accessible to every family who needs it.
What It Really Costs to Run Camp Kirk
Camp Kirk is a specialized program with a high staff-to-camper ratio, individualized care plans, and supports designed for neurodivergent children and youth. Those unique elements make camp life safe, meaningful, and fun but they also make it more expensive to run.
If we were to divide our total camp expenses across every day of impact (every camper day at camp), here’s what it looks like:
- Actual Cost: $647 per day
- Family Contribution (2026 rate): $297 per day, or $2,376 for an 8-day session
When paying the full fee, families are currently covering about 46% of the true cost. The remaining 54% is funded through donations, grants, and community partnerships.
Why Camp Kirk Costs What It Does
Every dollar makes a difference. The actual cost of running Camp Kirk reflects what’s needed to create a safe and inclusive experience for neurodivergent kids and teens. This includes a 1:2 staff-to-camper ratio, therapeutic supports, mental health resources, training and supervision for young staff, accessible programming, and facility and safety costs. These investments aren’t extras, they’re the foundation of what makes Camp Kirk, Camp Kirk.
Our Updated Financial Aid Program
We know that the real cost of camp can feel out of reach. That’s why Camp Kirk offers a Financial Aid Program to help make our camp experience accessible to families. Any family is welcome to apply, and we work on a pay-what-you-can model based on available funds. While we do our best to support every applicant, we cannot guarantee that all requests will be met. When allocating financial aid, priority will be given to returning campers.
How It Works
- Apply: Fill out your camper application and share what your family can reasonably contribute.
- Partner with Us: Our team may connect your family with community partners or apply for external funding on your behalf.
- Share Your Story: At the end of camp, families can help us keep the program strong by completing a short feedback survey, your stories show donors the real impact of their support.
If you have any questions about our Financial Aid Program, please contact kristen@campkirk.com.
Together, We Make Camp Possible
Every campfire story, every friendship formed, and every moment of courage at Camp Kirk is the result of a shared effort, families contributing what they can, and our community helping bridge the rest. We’re deeply grateful to walk alongside you in building a camp where every child belongs.
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