Spring Break Discounts for Military Families

Spring break often makes us think of family fun and vacations. Military families on tight budgets may feel that their options for spring break are limited, but I have found that using discounts for military families has allowed my family to have so many exciting and memorable experiences.

Here are great military springtime deals that will help you make the most of your vacation:

Discounted Hotel Stays and Cheap Flights for Military Families

Planning spring break excursions that require flights and booking places to stay may seem daunting when you are a military family with limited income. But, it doesn’t have to be! There are so many amazing resources and discounts for military families that can help ease the burden of travel expenses.

One particularly helpful site for discounts on military travel is American Forces Travel, which is a collaboration between Priceline and the Armed Services Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) service. This site can help find cheap flights for military families as well as discounts for accommodations and event tickets.

Dream vacations to luxury resorts are even feasible through the Armed Forces Travel Club. This exclusive military club offers free and premium memberships that make travel more affordable without hidden resort fees or time-share commitments.

Other affordable options include booking accommodations on military bases; not only are there many reasonably priced hotels, but there are also campgrounds and even beach cottages located on some bases.

Springtime Staycations

With so many moves, many military families may want to stay home and find adventure locally. Thankfully, it’s easy to find discounts and free events for military families on military bases. Checking out the command’s event calendar is a great place to start. Most military bases I have been to have some type of kid-friendly egg hunt or other free things for military families during spring break.

Also, I frequently go to the Information, Tickets, and Travel (ITT) office, which is an amazing resource when looking for discounts for military families. Even with our limited military family budget, we are able to purchase reduced-priced tickets for museums or tours.

It is always a great idea to find out if your local Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) or other military non-profits are offering free events for military families or discounted tickets to local shows and attractions. Sometimes, benefactors generously donate tickets for events, concerts, plays, etc. to these organizations. There have been multiple times my family and I have been able to see amazing plays and famous performers with the help of military support nonprofits like the ASYMCA.

Spring Break Unplugged

As warmer weather approaches, it is a wonderful time to get outside and away from electronic devices. I am so thankful that we can find free things for military families that make all sorts of outdoor activities more affordable. Here are a few of my favorites:

Nature is Beautiful in the Spring

We love to see the trees with fresh green leaves and new flower blooms. We might stay close to home and explore our local parks or use the time off from school to visit one of our many beautiful national parks. With the America the Beautiful Military Pass Program, active duty and veteran families can enjoy these national treasures for free. This really is one of my favorite discounts for military families.

Make Spring Break AMUSING

Sometimes, it’s good to meet spring break at a faster pace, and nothing says fast like the roller coasters at an amusement park. Many amusement parks offer military discounts for family members that can be found online or at a military base’s ITT office. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens feature a Waves of Honor program that even offers up to 4 free day passes for active duty families (restrictions apply).

Many other amusement parks provide various types of military discounts as well, often available through ITT. My family’s favorites include:

• Disney
• Knotts Berry Farms
• Legoland
• Universal Studios

Take a Camp Break

Day camps not only help working parents facing childcare issues during school breaks, but they are also a fantastic way to give kids an opportunity to find fun and adventure. Organizations like ASYMCA provide youth programs and spring break camps that help kids build support networks and encourage healthy living. Local ASYMCA branches may offer more various programs like Horse of the Sun Ranch in San Diego, which provides equestrian activities to military kids.

Here are some other branches that offer awesome ASYMCA spring break day camps:

• Camp Hero San Diego, CA
• Camp Hero Hawaii
• Killeen, Texas

I am not shy when asking about discounts for military families, scholarships, and fee waivers when inquiring about any spring break camps in town. I have found that our military family often qualifies for financial aid for all types of classes, camps, and workshops. Give it a try!

Spring Into Action

The ASYMCA provides low-cost enrichment programs including camps and other beneficial opportunities that help military families thrive. It understands supporting military families goes beyond meeting basic needs, and strives to increase overall well-being and morale. Support our military families by donating to ASYMCA today.

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