This summer, thousands of underserved New York City children have been boarding buses for summer camp. That shouldn't be remarkable, but it is. Those buses are departing with joyful kids and relieved parents waving them goodbye only because camping doesn't cost their families.

A new national study found that parents of nearly 25 million children want their kids to participate in structured summer experiences like camp. Yet more than half can’t afford it.

Low- and middle-income families can’t afford quality summer programs, if they’re even available where they live. According to American Camp Association statistics, the average cost of camping is more than $1,700 per month per child.

Across the nation, families are already stretched by soaring housing, childcare and food costs. Summer has become yet another expense many can't afford.

Keeping kids busy in summer months isn't cheap

For too many families, the end of the school year brings anxiety about how they'll safely get their children through the next 10 weeks.

As the chief executive officer of The Fresh Air Fund, which has provided free summer experiences to New........

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