DPR Customer Service:  (202) 673-7647
DPR Kids, Camps & Co-op Office: (202) 671-0372, [email protected]
DPR Media Contact:  Gwendolyn Crump, (202) 288-6027 [email protected]
 

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced revised policies and procedures for DPR’s Summer Camp Reduced Rate Policy. Federal household income guideline changes went into effect on January 1, 2016.  These new income guidelines will be in effect for the 2016 summer camps season.

DPR's mission is to offer equitable access to high quality, recreation programs. For this reason, DPR offers a reduced rate for qualified District residents to ensure that summer camps are available to everyone, regardless of one’s ability to pay. The DPR Summer Camp Reduced Rate program allows children of qualifying families to attend with a discount of either 50% or 75% (depending on income and family size) per child, per camp session. 

The reduced rate program pre-qualification registration period will start on Monday, February 1, 2016. While applications for reduced rate will be accepted at this time, camp registration will not open until Monday, February 22, 2016. The goal of the pre-qualification period is to assist residents with completing their reduced rate applications so that they can easily register for camp when registration opens on February 22, 2016. Please note that reduced rate applications will be accepted throughout the entire Summer 2016 season.

DPR can only accept applications for reduced rate in person and applications must be approved for reduced rate prior to registering for camp.  If an applicant registers for camp and does not submit a reduced rate application, the applicant will not be eligible to apply for reduced rate and reduced rate refunds will not be issued once camp registration is complete. Reduced rate does not apply to before and after care fees, and does not apply to DPR REC camps.

In order to qualify for the DPR summer camp reduced rate, an applicant must be a District resident and must submit documents that align with the following household income guidelines, as established by the Federal government.  The table below lists the current established U.S. Federal guidelines. 

Household Income Levels

Eligibility amounts based upon United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Child Nutrition Programs, Income Eligibility Guideline July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 61 / Tuesday, March 31, 2015 / Notices.
 

Applicants are REQUIRED to provide the following:

• Reduced rate application (can be completed at the Summer Camp office)
• A copy of your 2014 or 2015 tax return (or other acceptable income sources including TANF, unemployment benefits, child support or SSI.)
• At least ONE document to prove DC residency (choose one of the following documents): 
  • Valid DC-government issued photo ID
  • Pay stub (issued within the last 45 days)
  • Utility bill (gas, electric, or water within the past 2 months)
  • Valid DC Motor Vehicle Registration *
  • Valid lease or rental agreement *
  • A notarized letter signed by the persons with whom you reside that includes your name, your child(ren), and address.
    • Two pieces of mail with your current name, address, and date, must accompany the notarized letter. 
        

DPR Summer Camp office may request birth certificate(s) and/or current pay stub to verify the information submitted or if tax documents are not available.

Applicants should keep in mind that applications can only be considered if accompanied by ALL of the required documentation.  Applications must be submitted in-person at the summer camp office.  Please bring all of the required documentation. 

DPR's Summer Camp office is located on the fourth floor of the Columbia Heights Community Center (1480 Girard Street NW) and will offer extended hours every Monday beginning on Monday, February 1, 2016, for reduced rate applicants.  The summer camps extended office hours are as follows:

• Mondays: 9:30 am - 7 pm
• Tuesdays through Fridays: 9:30 am - 5 pm

For more information or additional assistance, please contact the DPR Summer Camp office at (202) 671-0372 or [email protected]. 

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