How to Handle Summer Camp Schedules in Custody Agreements

Summer camps offer kids opportunities to make friends, learn new skills, and enjoy exciting adventures. However, for co-parents who are divorced or separated, coordinating summer camp schedules can add serious complications, especially when custody agreements are in place. Aligning schedules, dividing costs, and handling logistics are only part of the puzzle.

Incorporating Summer Camp Schedules into Custody Agreements

When it comes to summer camps, preparation is everything. Clear planning and communication can help you and your co-parent avoid misunderstandings or conflicts and keep summer fun for your child.

Plan Ahead When Choosing Camps

Start planning for summer camp as early as possible, especially if the camp you’re considering is popular or fills up quickly. Early conversations with your co-parent/ex-spouse can help align expectations.

Discuss the following questions together:

• Which camps are of interest to your child?
• What do the camp’s dates and hours look like?
• How does the camp fit in with your custody schedule?

If you and your co-parent have different ideas about which camp to choose, remember that your child’s interests should be the priority. Along the same lines, any decision you make must legally reflect your child’s best interests as outlined in family law, so knowing this can help you reach a decision together.

Specify Camp Schedules in Agreements

If your custody agreement doesn’t currently cover summer camp schedules, you may want to amend it or add a temporary summer provision. Doing so can help clarify each parent’s responsibilities and prevent disputes later. Backup plans for unexpected changes, such as canceled or rescheduled camps, can also be included. Legal language such as “Parent A will have custody during the weeks the child is attending camp, and Parent B will be responsible for transportation during weekends” provides clarity and structure.

Addressing Costs & Responsibilities for Summer Camp

Decide how camp-related costs will be handled between you and your co-parent or ex-spouse. Many families choose to split costs in proportion to their incomes, so the financial burden is shared more equitably. Another option is to set up a shared expenses clause as part of your custody agreement. This clause can outline what percentage of camp fees is covered by each parent and how payments will be made (e.g., direct payment to the camp or reimbursement between parents).

For example, if the camp costs $1,000 and one parent contributes 60% while the other pays 40%, that arrangement should be explicitly documented to avoid conflicts after the camp is booked.

Define Logistics Clearly

In addition to expected or standard costs, some summer camps may charge additional fees for:

• Pick-ups at the start of camp
• Drop-offs at the end of camp
• Transportation needs during camp or related to camp activities

If you do not want to pay these additional fees and can opt out of using camp-provided transportation, you will need to decide ahead of time who will handle the logistics for transportation and how that reflects in a custody agreement. For example, one parent could manage drop-offs, while the other takes on pick-ups.

Also, if the camp includes weekend activities or overnight stays, clarify whether those days count toward existing custody arrangements or if a separate plan will apply.

Prioritizing Your Child’s Best Interests

At the heart of these decisions is your child’s well-being. Summer camp should be a time for fun and growth, not a source of tension between co-parents.

When disagreements arise about camps or schedules, remember that the ultimate goal is to create a positive experience for your child. What do they want to do this summer? Which camp will bring them the most joy or enrichment?

Perhaps most importantly, don’t put your child in the middle of a disagreement about summer camp plans. Keeping them out of parental conflicts is always recommended by not just family law attorneys but also child therapists.

Handling Disputes Over Summer Camp Schedules

Planning summer camp schedules isn’t always a smooth process. However, having strategies in place ahead of time to resolve disputes if or when they arise can make handling these challenges easier for everyone involved. A simple yet effective strategy if you feel that your custody agreement needs adjustments to reflect summer-specific needs, like those regarding summer camp for your child, is reaching out to a family law attorney.

With a family lawyer’s counsel, you can get help with:

• Modifying custody agreements for summer camp schedules
• Resolving disputes that might have escalated
• Representing you in disputes that do escalate to mediation or litigation
• Keeping your child’s summer plans supported by a solid legal framework

For Summer Custody Plans in California, Choose Gill Law Group, PC

Creating a detailed custody agreement for the summer doesn’t have to add stress to your life. At Gill Law Group, PC, we bring years of experience to navigate sensitive family law issues, including those related to summer camp scheduling. We like to work closely with co-parents to create custody arrangements that are clear, fair, and built around the child’s best interests. Whether you need help drafting a new agreement, resolving disagreements over summer plans, or modifying existing arrangements, we can provide the professional, compassionate guidance you deserve, just as we have done for so many other families throughout California.