Shared Costs for Summer Camps and Travel: Who Pays?

For many separated or divorced parents, summer is not just a season of sunshine and school breaks—it’s also a time when questions about financial responsibilities arise. Summer camps, extended vacations, and enrichment programs can provide children with valuable experiences, but they also come with significant costs. When parents live apart, figuring out who pays for these seasonal expenses can quickly become a source of conflict.

In Ontario, the legal framework provides guidance on how these costs are to be shared, but much depends on the parents’ specific circumstances, their court orders or agreements, and the nature of the expense itself.

This blog outlines how summer costs like camps and travel are typically addressed under Ontario family law, and what parents can do to avoid misunderstandings.

The Legal Foundation: Section 7 Expenses

The key legal tool for understanding shared summer costs is Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines. Commonly known as “special or extraordinary expenses,” these costs are considered above and beyond basic child support payments. Section 7 includes provisions for:

• Child care expenses
• Medical and dental costs not covered by insurance
• Educational expenses
• Post-secondary education
• Extracurricular activities (including camps, in some cases)

Whether a summer camp or vacation qualifies as a Section 7 expense depends on the nature of the activity and the family’s financial circumstances. Ontario courts assess these issues on a case-by-case basis, weighing factors like necessity, reasonableness, and each parent’s income.

Is Summer Camp a Section 7 Expense?

Summer camp often falls into a grey area. If a camp is necessary for child care—for example, while a parent works—it is more likely to qualify as a Section 7 expense. In these cases, it is treated similarly to daycare or after-school supervision. However, not all camps are automatically considered eligible.

Courts look at whether:

• The camp is a substitute for child care that would otherwise be needed during working hours
• The camp provides educational or developmental value that justifies the expense
• The cost is proportionate to the family’s financial means
• Both parents agreed to or were aware of the enrollment

If a camp is purely recreational and one parent unilaterally enrolls the child without consulting the other, a court may find that it should not be shared as a Section 7 expense. Clear communication and advanced agreement are therefore essential.

What About Vacation Travel?

Unlike summer camp, vacation travel is less likely to be considered a Section 7 expense unless it is extraordinary in nature or agreed upon in advance. A typical family vacation, even if it is expensive, usually falls under the umbrella of regular parenting time and is paid for by the parent who initiates it.

However, there are exceptions. For example:

• If both parents agree that a child should attend a special overseas program or cultural exchange, they may jointly decide to share the cost
• If travel is associated with a significant educational or extracurricular opportunity, it may be considered extraordinary
• If a parenting plan or separation agreement explicitly addresses shared travel costs, those terms will prevail

In most cases, if a parent wants to be reimbursed for travel-related costs, they must be able to show that the expense was necessary, agreed upon, or part of an existing agreement.

How Are Section 7 Expenses Shared?

If a summer expense qualifies under Section 7, the next step is determining how it will be shared. These costs are not divided 50/50 by default. Instead, they are typically allocated in proportion to each parent’s income. For example, if one parent earns 60% of the combined income and the other earns 40%, they would be responsible for 60% and 40% of the expenses, respectively.

Income information must usually be exchanged annually to determine the proper apportionment. Many court orders and separation agreements include timelines and procedures for this financial disclosure.

Where parents cannot agree, courts can order reimbursement for improperly denied or unpaid Section 7 expenses, but only if the underlying expense meets the legal criteria.

Importance of Consent and Communication

One of the most common points of contention in cost-sharing disputes is whether one parent gave consent for an expense. In Ontario, a parent typically cannot unilaterally enroll a child in an expensive summer program and then demand reimbursement from the other parent after the fact.

To avoid problems, parents should:

• Discuss and agree on camps or travel plans well in advance
• Put agreements in writing, especially if they relate to large or unusual expenses
• Consult parenting plans or court orders to see if there are pre-existing clauses that govern these situations
• Respect any notice requirements or dispute resolution clauses in their agreement

Courts favour parents who make good-faith efforts to cooperate and communicate about their children’s needs and interests.

When the Parents Disagree

If parents cannot agree on a summer camp or travel plan, several options are available:

1. Mediation – A neutral third party can help the parents negotiate a solution.
2. Parenting Coordinator—If authorized by agreement or court order, a parenting coordinator can make binding or advisory decisions on parenting issues.
3. Court Application – A parent can bring the matter to court as a last resort. The court will assess the child’s best interests, the reasonableness of the proposed expense, and whether the request is financially proportionate.

In general, courts prefer that parents resolve these issues outside of litigation, but will intervene when necessary to prevent financial injustice or protect the child’s best interests.

Role of Parenting Plans and Separation Agreements

Many co-parenting disputes over summer expenses can be avoided altogether if the separation agreement or parenting plan clearly addresses summer vacation and Section 7 expenses. A well-drafted agreement might include:

• A clause defining which summer expenses qualify as shared
• A requirement for advance notice and written consent
• Specific cost-sharing ratios
• A method for resolving disagreements (e.g., mediation or arbitration)
• Timelines for reimbursement or cost approval

Enforcing Payment for Summer Costs

If one parent refuses to pay their share of an agreed-upon Section 7 expense, the other parent may be able to seek enforcement through the court system. In Ontario, this usually involves:

• Providing receipts and proof of payment
• Demonstrating that the other parent agreed to or was aware of the expense
• Showing the income of both parents to determine proportional shares

Courts may order repayment and, in some cases, costs. Documenting all communications and maintaining clear financial records related to shared parenting expenses is essential.

Practical Tips for Ontario Parents

To minimize conflict and promote your child’s well-being during the summer:

• Begin planning summer activities well in advance
• Engage in open, respectful communication with your co-parent
• Reach clear agreements about costs before committing to any program
• Use written documentation (emails, texts, or shared parenting apps) to confirm arrangements
• Revisit your parenting plan or court order periodically to ensure it still reflects your child’s evolving needs and your financial realities

Putting the Child First

Ultimately, decisions about summer camp and travel should be guided by the child’s best interests, not by competition or one-upmanship between parents. When both parties work together to support their child’s summer enrichment, the benefits go beyond just logistical or financial efficiency—they promote a cooperative co-parenting dynamic that can positively shape the child’s sense of security and stability.

Windsor Divorce Lawyers Assisting with Child Support and Parenting Plans

If you have questions about your rights or responsibilities concerning summer parenting costs or are struggling to get your co-parent to contribute to agreed-upon expenses, the family lawyers at Johnson Miller Family Lawyers can help you understand your options and enforce your legal entitlements under Ontario law. To speak with an experienced family law lawyer about divorce, decision-making responsibility, or parenting time, call 519.973.1500 or contact us online.