Is Camp SAY an accredited program?
Yes! Camp SAY is an American Camp Association (ACA)-accredited program, so you can feel confident that our camp program meets exceptional quality and safety standards.
What results can I expect with Camp SAY?
Children and teens leave Camp SAY with so many important benefits such as increased confidence, new friendships, greater independence and feeling better prepared to begin the new school year in a very positive way. That’s the reason that about 80% of campers return to Camp SAY the following year.
What activities will be offered at camp?
Camp SAY offers a broad range of sports activities (basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, kickball, and more), arts activities (arts & crafts, singing, dance, acting/improv, creative writing, and more), outdoor/adventure activities (swimming in the pool, ziplining, hiking, ropes courses, and more!), and speech therapy with a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in stuttering.
Can my child attend camp for less than two weeks?
Yes. We understand that not all families are ready to have their child attend camp for two full weeks. We also know that summers are a busy time and children start school on different days. We can work with each family’s schedule and preferences to make every camper’s stay amazing. A shortened stay option is available upon request, with tuition adjusted accordingly.
What is the tuition for camp?
Camp SAY’s base tuition is $3,850. We offer tuition on a sliding scale basis (learn more about sliding-scale tuition and travel) so Camp SAY is accessible to ALL families.
Tuition includes all meals and activities for your child during their stay. Transportation to Camp SAY is not included in the cost of tuition, however, families can also apply for sliding-scale financial assistance for travel to Camp SAY.
How will my child get to camp?
We work closely with families to make each child’s trip to Camp SAY safe and as enjoyable as possible.
You still have many options! Here are the different ways campers will be able to get to Camp SAY at Morgan’s Camp:
- Driving: Campers can be dropped off and picked up directly at Morgan’s Camp in San Antonio, Texas.
- Flying:
- Campers can fly into San Antonio International Airport. As always, one or more Camp SAY Staff members will meet campers at the gate and help them retrieve their luggage. Campers flying in at similar times will ride a bus together with Camp SAY staff to Morgan’s Camp, a 21-minute drive.
- We are working on plans to offer at least one group flight from the New York City area chaperoned by dedicated and trained Camp SAY Staff.
We are dedicated to working with each family to make this transition as smooth and seamless as possible. With that in mind, we will do our best to offer additional financial support for travel to ensure that camp continues to be accessible to every family.
Are travel expenses covered in Camp SAY’s tuition?
Travel expenses are not covered in Camp SAY’s tuition (excluding local arrival day/departure day chartered Motor Coach travel between the NYC airport and Camp SAY, as outlined above). Please bear in mind that Camp SAY offers travel on a sliding scale basis, to make travel to Camp SAY affordable for all families.
Can I speak to my child over the phone while they are at camp?
Yes. However, for the same reasons outlined above, phone calls tend to disrupt the camp experience. Parents and guardians are welcome to call the Camp SAY cell phone if they have any questions or concerns while their child is at camp, and if a parent wants to speak with their child, that can certainly be arranged. Campers are not permitted to use their own cell phones during their stay at camp.
Can I send emails to my child during their stay at camp?
Yes. Enrolled families will receive information about how to send emails to their campers at a specialized email address so campers can receive emails in printed form – since campers do not have access to computers or personal email accounts while at camp.
Can I email the Camp SAY Leadership Team during my child’s stay at camp?
Yes, parents can communicate directly with our team by sending an email to Mail@CampSAY.org, or to one of the camp directors (added details are provided upon enrollment).
Can I send a package to my child when they are at camp?
Unfortunately, campers cannot receive packages while they are at camp. Please be sure to send your child to camp with all of the items they will need for their stay. If you need help deciding what to pack, please refer to our packing checklist that will be provided upon enrollment.
Does my child need any special items or equipment at camp?
Camp SAY provides a packing list for you to refer to when preparing your child for camp. Your child will be doing a lot of walking around at camp and some activities will require closed-toe shoes for protection, so one pair of supportive sneakers or hiking boots are required.
What about sending electronics and other valuables with my child to camp?
Camp SAY cannot be responsible for electronics or valuables that are sent to camp. We allow iPods and other MP3 or CD players to be used inside the cabin, but we recommend against sending video games or other similar devices to camp. All cell phones will be kept in the Main Office and will not be available to your child during their camp stay (and will be returned on departure day).
Why did we choose Morgan’s Camp over other camps?
Morgan’s Camp is a state-of-the-art facility that will give us the opportunity to stretch our legs a bit, experience the joy created in spaces built to foster connections, and engage in a whole lot of FUN together in amazing activity areas! There is plenty of space for the dream of having room to grow to come true.
Morgan’s Camp is a new, $34 million, campsite on 102 tree-studded acres of rolling hills. The site was built with community and connections in mind, creating beautiful areas that are a blank canvas ready to be adapted to meet the specific needs of Camp SAY’s campers and programming.
The activities we will be able to offer at Morgan’s Camp are truly unparalleled, including two ridiculously fun ziplines, horseback riding (both in a covered arena and on beautiful trail rides), a super fun waterscape including a lazy river, a gorgeous and enclosed temperature controlled sports pavilion with full court basketball and more, a massive and truly magnificent challenge course, a large air-conditioned arts and crafts center that includes a library and a digital photography studio, a state of the art stage with full AV system, a spacious and brand new dining hall, and much, much more!
The mission and commitment of the staff of Morgan’s Camp fit together beautifully with our Camp SAY Community Standards. Their model is built to support programs that create a space of belonging for underserved populations. Morgan’s Camp has committed to being our host for as long as we want to be there.
But, isn’t it hot in Texas?
Yep! The temps in Texas can be hot in the summer. And this facility was built to manage that! There are beautiful, air conditioned indoor spaces created for most program areas (including the cabins, dining hall, theater, basketball court, arts and crafts studio, and more) so campers can be out of the heat as needed. Outdoor program areas have shade and are thoughtfully built to provide space out of the sun where the almost constant breeze can blow. The team at Morgan’s Camp are experts at supporting folks in their location and have the right space and supplies in place to make camp safe, comfortable, and fun!
Are background checks required for camp counselors?
Yes! All camp counselors are subject to a rigorous interview process and are required to pass a comprehensive background check prior to working at Camp SAY. Before opening day, all staff members also participate in an intensive orientation process that further reinforces Camp SAY’s values and code of conduct.
What if a child has to be sent home during camp?
If a child violates our behavior policy, they will be sent home and we ensure that this happens in a safe and timely manner. Should this situation occur, travel costs will be at the family’s expense.
What happens if my child becomes ill during camp?
Camp SAY has two nurses in the 24-hour Camp Health Center. Camp SAY is hosted at Morgan’s Camp, which is located in close proximity to specialized health physicians. In the unlikely event of an incident, Camp SAY will maintain clear and continuous communication with the family.
SLIDING SCALE TUITION & TRAVEL PROGRAM FAQ’S
What is Sliding Scale Tuition?
Sliding Scale Tuition is based on the principle that a family’s financial commitment should be proportionate to its financial resources. The same financial information is requested from all families that wish to apply for Sliding Scale Tuition (and travel, if desired). The Family Worksheet is used to determine each family’s fee for the upcoming summer at Camp SAY.
Why does Camp SAY utilize Sliding Scale Tuition?
Our entire staff and Board of Trustees are fully committed to making Camp SAY accessible to every child who stutters, regardless of a family’s financial situation.
If I pay in full, am I underwriting Sliding Scale Tuition for a family-in-need?
Absolutely not. To ensure that this process is fair and equitable for every family, families that pay in full are not asked to pay more than their fair share of camp tuition costs. Instead, Camp SAY accesses a large fund to offset and underwrite all tuition reductions provided through our Sliding Scale Tuition Program. SAY raises more than $700,000 annually for this purpose, and to date, no child has been turned away due to a family’s financial situation.
Does Sliding Scale Tuition affect the quality of experience offered at Camp SAY?
No, not at all. Since Camp SAY has a unique opportunity to access generous funding to offset costs for each family paying less than full tuition – camp programs and activities are structured as if each family was paying full tuition. This approach enables Camp SAY to provide a remarkably high-quality experience for all campers attending Camp SAY! At Camp SAY, we create an environment of true equality, eliminating the labels of “full-paying families” and “financial aid families.”
Do I need to fill out a Sliding Scale Tuition Family Worksheet?
No, filling out the Family Worksheet is optional, and families choosing to not complete the worksheet will simply pay the camp tuition rate of $3,850.
If our family fills out the Sliding Scale Family Worksheet, how long will it take for Camp SAY to confirm the tuition rate?
The Sliding Scale Tuition rate is typically confirmed within 2-3 weeks. Camp SAY 2025 dates are July 19-August 1 (shortened stay available).
What happens when a family wants to fill out a Family Worksheet for more than one child?
If a family fills out the Sliding Scale Worksheet for multiple children simultaneously, that factor will be taken into consideration during the initial worksheet review process and tuition rate confirmation. If a second child who stutters decides to attend camp after the first Sliding Scale Tuition is provided, we absolutely take that fact into consideration when the Sliding Scale rate is provided for another child. To date, no child has been turned away due to a family’s financial situation.
What if my financial situation changes significantly and I discover that I have a financial need that I didn’t have before?
If such changes occur, please just update our Director of Camp SAY, Kendra Perkins. Kendra can be reached at Kendra@SAY.org or 646.969.4545.
What should I do if I receive a Sliding Scale Tuition rate that is still not affordable for me to send my child to Camp SAY?
If a family receives a Sliding Scale Tuition rate that they do not feel is affordable, we welcome them to simply contact our Director of Camp SAY, Kendra Perkins, to further discuss tuition. Kendra can be reached at Kendra@SAY.org or 646.969.4545. To date, no child has ever been turned away due to a family’s financial situation.
Ready to enroll for Camp SAY 2025? CLICK HERE to register.
More questions? Please contact our Camp Director at Kendra@say.org or 646.969.4545.