Mississippi child care aid uncertainty hits summer camp enrollment

Kristen Kaylor and Nischit Sharma • March 31, 2026

Key Points

Mississippi lawmakers are still working on House Bill 1909, which includes $15 million for the Child Care Payment Program and had not reached the governor’s desk as of March 30.
The Child Care Payment Program paused most new applications in April 2025 after pandemic-era funding expired and resumed accepting waitlist applications on August 1, 2025.
This year, enrollment at the Hattiesburg and Petal YMCA summer camps is down by about 80 children compared to last year’s total of 400 due to affordability issues.
Camp costs have continued to rise since the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased staffing, food, and supply expenses, according to Jennifer Clark, creator of the Pine Belt Summer Camps Facebook group.

HATTIESBURG — As summer approaches and schools prepare to let out, some Mississippi families are facing new uncertainty about how they will pay for child care and summer camp.

That uncertainty comes as lawmakers continue working on House Bill 1909 — the Mississippi Department of Human Services appropriations bill — which includes $15 million for the Child Care Payment Program. As of March 30, the bill had not reached the governor’s desk and remained in conference at the Capitol.

A bright yellow and teal playground with stairs, bars, shade structures and slides. — Children in YMCA summer camp, along with those in programs such as after-school care, have access to several on-site amenities. Rumph said children spend time outside and stay active, including on the playground. (Kristen Kaylor)

The Child Care Payment Program helps eligible working families pay for child care. Mississippi paused most new applications in April 2025 after pandemic-era funding expired. MDHS later said it summarized accepting applications Aug. 1, 2025, for families on the waitlist, with approvals continuing until available funds are exhausted. The agency said assistance in 2026 depends on available funding.

Matt Rumph, executive director of the Hattiesburg and Petal YMCAs, said the effects are already showing up in summer camp registration.

Last year, the Hattiesburg and Petal YMCA camps served about 400 children combined. This year, Rumph said enrollment is down by about 80 children so far because some families cannot afford camp fees without additional help.

The YMCA offers camps in Hattiesburg and Petal for children ages 5 to 12. Activities include swimming lessons, field trips and outdoor recreation. Rumph said the goal is to keep children active, engaged and in a safe environment during the summer.

A man in a purple and white shirt and black pants stands in front of a painted cinder block wall with a red-and-white sign marking the Y's 175th anniversary. — Matt Rumph, CEO and executive director of the Hattiesburg and Petal YMCAs, said the main goal of YMCA summer camp is to keep children outside and active, build social skills through play, and help them explore Forrest County through field trips. (Kristen Kaylor)

“We’re here to help. We’re going to work with you. If you can’t afford it, we’re going to try to work with you to make sure it will work,” Rumph said.

Jennifer Clark, creator of the Pine Belt Summer Camps Facebook group, said camp costs have continued to rise since the COVID-19 pandemic as organizations absorb higher staffing, food and supply costs.

“The cost of summer camps is definitely getting higher and higher,” Clark said. “It is sometimes very cost-prohibitive for parents to be able to piece together a full program of children’s activities throughout the summer.”

Families can find local camp listings at Pinebeltkidcentral.com, through the Pine Belt Summer Camps Facebook group and on the YMCA website, where financial assistance information is also available.