Mississippi Families Face Summer Camp Uncertainty

Lawmakers' delay on child care aid bill impacts summer camp enrollment

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:34am

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As summer approaches, some Mississippi families are facing new uncertainty about how they will pay for child care and summer camp programs due to delays in the state legislature's approval of funding for the Child Care Payment Program. This uncertainty is already impacting summer camp enrollment, with the Hattiesburg and Petal YMCAs reporting a drop of about 80 children compared to last year.

Why it matters

The Child Care Payment Program helps eligible working families afford child care, and its uncertain future is making it difficult for some parents to pay for summer camp programs that provide a safe, engaging environment for children during the summer months. This issue highlights the importance of affordable child care and summer activities for working families in Mississippi.

The details

Mississippi lawmakers are still working on House Bill 1909, which includes $15 million in funding for the Child Care Payment Program. The program was paused in April 2025 after pandemic-era funding expired, and the Mississippi Department of Human Services said it would resume accepting new applications on August 1, 2025, with approvals continuing until available funds are exhausted. The agency said assistance in 2026 depends on available funding, creating uncertainty for families.

  • In April 2025, the Mississippi Department of Human Services paused most new applications for the Child Care Payment Program.
  • On August 1, 2025, the Mississippi Department of Human Services said it would resume accepting new applications for the Child Care Payment Program.
  • As of March 30, 2026, the appropriations bill that includes $15 million for the Child Care Payment Program had not reached the governor's desk and remained in conference at the Mississippi Capitol.

The players

Matt Rumph

The executive director of the Hattiesburg and Petal YMCAs.

Jennifer Clark

The creator of the Pine Belt Summer Camps Facebook group.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Matt Rumph, Executive Director, Hattiesburg and Petal YMCAs

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

— Jennifer Clark, Creator, Pine Belt Summer Camps Facebook group

What’s next

The Mississippi legislature is expected to vote on the appropriations bill that includes funding for the Child Care Payment Program in the coming weeks. If the bill is approved, it will then go to the governor's desk for signature.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the importance of reliable and affordable child care and summer programs for working families in Mississippi. The uncertainty around the Child Care Payment Program's future is making it difficult for some parents to afford summer camp, which provides a safe and enriching environment for children during the summer months.