Summer day camp in a rented space

Parents who need supervised, enriching care for their children while they work during school holidays.

Weekly or daily fees per child, plus optional extras such as early drop-off, late pick-up, lunch, field trips and camp t-shirts. Costs are mostly space rental, counselor wages and insurance.

• Working well with children of different ages
• Planning daily activity schedules
• Hiring and managing young staff
• Clear communication with parents

• State and local rules: some states exempt day camps from child care licensing and others do not, so check your state and county
• Background checks for all staff and volunteers, and first aid and CPR training
• General liability insurance, abuse and molestation coverage, and workers' compensation once you hire; check with an insurance broker who knows youth programs
• Health, allergy and medication policies, signed parent waivers and emergency plans
• Fees are mostly collected before the season, but costs start early, so keep a cash buffer and a refund policy
• Zoning, fire code and lease rules for the space you rent

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on the space you rent, staffing and insurance. Fees are mostly collected before the season but costs start early, so keep a cash buffer and a refund policy.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many children enroll, your fees and how many weeks you run. Revenue is before counselor pay, rent, insurance and other costs.

Check your state and county, since some states exempt day camps from child care licensing and others do not. Also check staff background checks, first aid and CPR training, insurance, health and allergy policies, waivers, zoning and fire code.