Tuition Assistance
Camp works best when each cabin includes campers from diverse economic backgrounds: friendships are richer, perspectives broader, and the community stronger. About 1 out of every 5 of our campers attends with tuition assistance each summer.
If paying full tuition would prevent your child from attending camp, you are welcome and encouraged to apply. Applying for assistance has no bearing on your child’s admission to Camp.
We use Clarity to evaluate tuition assistance needs. Clarity provides the same tools to thousands of private schools across the country. The application itself is mobile‑friendly, takes about 30 minutes, and securely links your IRS tax information (1040 and W‑2) so you don’t have to upload documents manually. For Summer 2026, the tuition assistance application opens October 1, 2025; early awards will be issued in December/January for applications completed by November 15, with applications processes on a rolling basis until February 18, 2026, and remaining decisions by early March. Returning families will find the process even faster because last year’s data pre‑loads.
We welcome families at all income levels to apply. We’ll help you through each step.
Questions or a quick talk before you start? Call (360) 376‑2277 or email Daphne@fourwindscamp.org.
Hear from our Community
“…I would like to thank you for providing me with the experience of a lifetime! I had more fun last summer than I have ever had in my entire life! I learned what it was like to be on my own, in new surroundings, having to find my own niche in the big picture.”
“Camp changed me so much in a lot of ways, all for the better.”
“We sang at camp. At the last evening fire, I sang a song all by myself… I wasn’t scared.”
What’s the timeline for Summer 2026?
- October 1, 2025: Application link posted.
- December/January: Priority deadline for completed applications.
- We will continue to process applications after that date, as space allows.
-
February 18, 2026: Final deadline.If your circumstances change at any point (job loss, medical bills, other shifts), contact the Camp office. We maintain a small emergency fund to help families facing unexpected challenges.
How do we apply?
Tuition Assistance FAQs
Who can help me if I’m having trouble with the Clarity Application?
In-app support through the “Help” button in the lower left corner
- Email support at **support@clarityapp.com**
- Phone support at 206-210-3752
Family support available 7 days a week starting Oct. 1
All available in English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish using the drop-down in the lower left corner.
Who can help me with general questions?
Please reach out. Daphne Opperman (Family Experience Manager) is excited to walk you through the process: Daphne@fourwindscamp.org or (360) 376‑2277.
Who should apply?
Is this a sliding scale where we choose our payment?
No. This is a need‑based program. You’ll share your financial picture in Clarity, including what you calculate you can contribute. Your stated contribution is considered, but does not set the award on its own.
How are awards decided?
The Clarity platform uses the collected data to calculate a suggested award, and a committee reviews the full application and determines an award. Each family’s full context is reviewed with care and confidentiality: available discretionary income, number of campers, county cost of living, K‑12 tuition, unusual expenses (medical, elder care), and more. All information is confidential, known only to the Tuition Assistance committee, not to counselors or other families.
What might tuition cost my family with assistance? (typical ranges, not guarantees)
-
Household income under $100,000: families often pay up to $3,000 in tuition.
-
$100,000–$200,000: families often pay up to $6,000.
-
Over $200,000: families often pay $6,000–$8,000.
Award scenarios:
-
Family A: Income $240,000; own a home (~$1M); one camper; discretionary income around $40,000 → qualified for $4,000 in assistance (~50% of tuition).
-
Family B: Income $200,000; two homes (combined ~$700,000); two children in private schools with some school aid → qualified for $3,000 in assistance (~38%).
-
Family C: Income $60,000; rent; one car lease; limited savings; one camper → qualified for $8,000 in assistance (~100%).
Will applying for assistance affect admission?
No. Tuition Assistance review and camper admissions are separate.
How long can a camper receive assistance?
Families who continue to qualify are typically eligible for three summers of support with additional years sometimes possible. You’ll reapply each year so we can base your award on your current situation.
Do you prioritize any families?
A portion of available funds is reserved for children of alumni and families working in helping professions. We remain committed to building a diverse community across many financial realities each summer.
We have more than one child—does that matter?
How is tuition assistance funded?
By our community: alumni, parents, and friends give each year because they believe accessibility is core to Four Winds. We aim to sustain roughly 20% of camper spots for tuition assistance families.
Four Winds * Westward Ho has offered need‑based support for decades; today, we think tuition assistance is as fundamental to Camp as Carlyn. Thank you for letting us partner with you to make Camp possible for your family.