Most Ohio families can use this $1,000 credit for summer camps, find out how here

Many parents are faced with the same problem summer after summer: how to keep their child engaged, socialized, and actively learning while they’re on a break from school.

That issue may be solved for most Ohio families thanks to the Ohio Department of Education’s expansion of the ACE (Afterschool Child Enrichment) program, which provides qualifying families with a $1,000 credit per child (6-18 years old). This credit can be used for activities such as day camps, music lessons, language classes, and other immersive educational activities designed to help accelerate learning during the school year or even during summer break.

Many of these programs in Franklin County, which can be found using this search tool, cost less than $1,000, meaning most children may be able to partake in these summer camps and activities for no cost whatsoever. 

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Local, enriching activities offered this summer include summer day camps at the Columbus Zoo, karate classes at EJ’s Warrior Karate Academy, gymnastics day camps at Columbus Gymnastics Academy, learning a new instrument at Musicologie, environmental education camps at Ohio Wildlife Center, language camps at Cultured Kids Club, academic camps through the YMCA, coding camps at Code Ninjas, plus many, many more!

Ohio families must have an Adjusted Gross Income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level in order to be eligible for the ACE credits. Additionally, families with children residing in districts identified as having a high rate of chronic absenteeism or having one or more schools identified as EdChoice eligible, such as Columbus City School District, also qualify to partake in these programs.

Interested families can apply here.

Want to read more? Check out our print publication, (614) Magazine. Learn where you can find a free copy of our new April issue here!