For many families, summer signifies the start of camp season, but selecting the right camp that fits your budget and schedule can pose a significant challenge for parents. Fortunately, there's a local resource designed to simplify this process. DJ Waldo, a father and co-founder of the website SimpleSummers.com, joined us to discuss how the platform can assist local parents.
Waldo explained that the idea for Simple Summers originated about eight years ago with his neighbor and business partner, Megan Phillips. Both had difficulty finding camps for their children—Waldo has four kids, and Phillips has two. The tedious endeavor of searching for suitable camps on Google proved to be frustrating and time-consuming.
The unique aspect of Simple Summers lies in its AI-driven technology, enabling parents to customize their search. Users can input the desired type of camp, date range, budget, and even specifics about each child’s age. The site processes this information and narrows down a vast selection to just a few options that meet those criteria.
For instance, if you're looking for a soccer camp for your 12-year-old, you could waste time scouring the internet or utilize Simple Summers to create a camper profile, specify your needs, and instantly discover a shortlist of camps that align with your schedule.
What about families with multiple children who might be interested in different activities? Waldo has this covered. Users can create individual profiles for each child—so for a family like his with four children, you can simultaneously search multiple profiles, enabling the site to highlight camps that fit everyone's availability.
The platform currently boasts around 3,350 camps and is continuously expanding its offerings. From sports camps to STEM programs, there's something for every interest, with new camps being added daily. Interestingly, horseback riding camps tend to attract significant attention and are among the most searched camps on the site.
While the service is entirely free for parents, camps have the option to pay for premium listings. However, the team ensures that all camps, regardless of payment, are included, keeping the primary goal focused on being a valuable resource for families.
As Waldo emphasized, “We’re here to make summer camp planning as simple as possible.” The website is designed with the intent of easing the burden on parents while providing access to a range of summer activities for kids. SimpleSummers.com is quickly becoming the go-to hub for summer camp information in Sacramento and beyond.
