Arthur Kidston Memorial Camp
Registration Fee Options
Registration fees for our children's camps vary based on program length (nights at camp). All fees include 24-hour supervision from trained staff, meals and accommodations, program supplies, all activities, and a camp t-shirt.
We offer a range of fee options (tiers). When they register, families choose the option which best fits their needs and budgets.
Kidston believes no child should be left out for financial reasons. In keeping with this, Tier 1 offers a lower, subsidized rate to those who are not able to pay the full cost of a week of camp. Tier 2 provides a partially subsidized option that begins to more accurately reflect the cost of a camp session. Our 3rd "True Cost of Camp" tier allows you to help ensure the future sustainability of Camp Kidston by covering the actual cost of camp for a child.
Summer 2026 Fees
5-Night Programs
Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Junior Leader
Tier 3: True Cost of Camp / Pay it Forward - $850
Tier 2: Suggested Amount 1 - $675
Tier 1: Suggested Amount 2 - $525
3-Night Programs
Tadpole, Kaleidoscope
Tier 3: True Cost of Camp / Pay it Forward - $500
Tier 2: Suggested Amount 1 - $425
Tier 1: Suggested Amount 2 - $375
10+ Night Program
Counsellor-in-Training
Tier 3: True Cost of Camp / Pay it Forward - $1150
Tier 2: Suggested Amount 1 - $950
Tier 1: Suggested Amount 2 - $900
Feeding and entertaining hundreds of campers over the course of the summer, while
ensuring a safe, inclusive, memorable experience for all, costs about $850 per child,
per week. Because keeping camp affordable and accessible is one of our core values,
we subsidize this cost and offer two reduced fee tiers: $675 and $525 for our 5-night
program, $425/$375 for our 3-night program, and $950/$900 for our 10-night program.
That said, we believe strongly in our No Camper Left Behind policy. We recognize that
financial times can be challenging, and thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are
able to offer a limited number of full or partial sponsorships for families who need
additional support.
All sponsorship conversations are kept strictly confidential and are handled only by the
Chair of the Board. Every camper is welcomed with the same dignity, care, and sense of
belonging, and takes part in the full adventure of activities, friendships, and memories,
regardless of financial status.
If you’d like to discuss sponsorship options, please email lclements@campkidston.com
for a confidential conversation.
Interested in donating to our Sponsorship Fund?
Together, we ensure every child can experience the magic of Camp Kidston.
Curious to know more about Registration Fees?
Why have registration fees increased for 2025?
In 2023, Camp Kidston received news that we would be losing significant funding from
our parent organization, The United Church of Canada, which has historically allowed
us to substantially subsidize camper fees. We also rely on government grants that have
been reduced drastically over the past several years.
At the same time, we are facing a significant rise in operating costs, including food,
utilities, staffing, maintenance, insurance, and essential supplies. Just as many families
are feeling the pinch at home with inflation and rising costs, we are feeling it at Camp
too. Everything required to provide a safe, fun, and magical summer experience has
become much more expensive.
This combination of reduced revenue and increased expenses has made it necessary
for us to adopt a fee structure that more accurately reflects the true cost of operating a
summer camp.
In 2025, the true cost of camp per child was approximately $850 per week. This is
comparable to the fees charged by other non-subsidized summer camp organizations in
our region (e.g., YMCA).
Despite these financial pressures, we remain deeply committed to our belief that every
child should be able to experience summer camp, regardless of financial circumstances.
To ensure continued access, we have expanded our payment options, offering:
-
Two partially subsidized options, depending on family need
-
A full-cost option for families who can contribute more
This tiered model helps us keep camp affordable for families who need support, while
giving others the opportunity to contribute toward the sustainability of our programs.
Thank you for your continued support of Camp Kidston; together, we ensure that No Camper Is Left Behind.
Where does my child's camp fee go?
It takes a lot to run a summer camp! Here is a rough breakdown of where your camp fees go in 2025:
67% - Personnel
Staff wages, leadership development, certifications, training, and other mandatory employment-related costs. Our staff are the heart of what makes camp safe, supportive, and unforgettable.
11% - Food, Supplies & Kitchen Equipment
Three meals and three snacks a day for a whole week of hungry campers (plus the equipment needed to prepare it)!
11%- Property
Repairs, maintenance, safety inspections, and facility upkeep to keep camp safe and beautiful year-round.
5%- Accounting & Administration
Insurance, payroll, bookkeeping, banking, registration systems, and compliance requirements every non-profit must manage.
4%- Utilities
Electricity, heat, propane, potable water, phone, and internet services.
2%- Program Expenses & First Aid
The fun stuff! Activity supplies, sports gear, craft materials, and essential health and safety items.
Camp Kidston is operated by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors and brought to life each summer by our incredible seasonal staff team. As a non-profit organization, we do not operate to make a profit- 100% of our funds are reinvested directly back into camp to support our people, our programs, and the long-term sustainability of this special place.
Your support truly matters. When you choose Camp Kidston, whether as a camper family, donor, or community partner, you are helping ensure that camp remains safe, meaningful, affordable, and accessible for children and youth today and for generations to come.
Did you know? The true cost of summer camp...
In 2025, the true cost of camp per child at Camp Kidston is approximately $850 per week. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on fundraising, donations, grants, and off-season rental income to ensure that camp remains affordable and accessible for families across our communities.
If you would like to donate to our Sponsorship Fund and help send a child or youth to camp, click here for more details. Tax receipts are available for donations of $75 or more.
Kidston's Values
At Camp Kidston, we believe in fair pay. In Nova Scotia, non-profit summer camps are exempt from minimum wage requirements, and most pay weekly stipends rather than hourly wages. Some camps in the province pay as little as $100 per week. We know that pay is an equity issue, when staff are not compensated adequately, it limits who can
afford to take on these roles and reduces diversity in the leadership we want to build.
Our staff are the heart of the Camp Kidston experience. They are positive role models, caregivers, and mentors, helping youth learn new skills, build confidence, and make lasting friendships. Paying fair wages allows us to attract and retain exceptional staff who bring specialized skills, enthusiasm, and a deep commitment to camper wellbeing.
Fair compensation is also a core part of our youth development mission. Many of our staff are young adults, gaining valuable professional experience, leadership skills, and confidence that they carry forward into their futures. We believe they deserve to be supported, respected, and compensated in a way that reflects the importance of their work.
Because we intentionally invest in the incredible young leaders who make camp safe, inclusive, and magical, over 67% of our camp fees go directly toward staffing costs. Many of these positions are supported through grants, helping us maintain both fair compensation and camper affordability.
Our commitment to paying staff well directly translates into the exceptional experience we provide our campers; high-quality programming, strong supervision, and a positive, caring culture where every child can thrive.