Minor's SS# on camp forms?

[Malarky]

I'm filling out some forms for DD to go to overnight cheer camp. One of the questions is her SS#. I'm not really comfortable providing this information.

Is this typical? Up until now my kids have flat out refused to go to any camp, so I don't know if most camps require this.

[JustLurkin]

I always leave it blank. I don't even know my son's SS#, would have to look for the card.

[Sum Dum Gai]

I wouldn't provide that either. I can't think of any reason a summer camp would need your kids social.

[Malarky]

But do all camps ask for this?
I won't be, I'm just curious.
The number of zeros on the check should be enough numbers to keep them happy.

[JustLurkin]

Oh, not all camps ask for it. But, I usually stick with Parks and Planning camps. Just as a general rule I don't provide my son's SS#, and have never had it questioned. The only time I've used it is for medical things, public school forms, community college records, can't think of anything else.

[Deleted]

DS once took a summer class at the local middle school- for fun, non-credit. They wanted his SSN. I made one up, figuring it was none of their darned business.

[Deleted]

My work has a data sheet that we have to fill in every year. We are a school if that makes sense. I guess it corresponds with the "new" year.


A couple of years ago (when identity theft started getting into the news), I started leaving that blank and asking the secretary in charge of this if they "really" needed it. She said they actually have it on file if they "really" need it. So it is fine to leave it blank.

I think of a lot of the form are OLD forms. Lots of smallish places don't think about updating them.

Leave it blank or put "prefer not to answer" and see what they say.

I honestly think they will ignore it.

On a funnier note, I actually forgot what my SSN was when I was in college. I looked at the grade posting list, figured out which student was me, and have used that number ever since.

Since I changed it twice since (marriage), I guess I figured right.

[motherto2]

I was trying to remember if i had to provide the SSN's for all the camps my children attended, and I really can't remember. I guess that's probably because of all the college/FAFSA stuff I've had to fill out for the last few years, and I know I've had to provide the numbers. And that was also before identity theft has become so rampant. I'd say not providing and let them come back to you. Then you can argue with them about providing it. I don't even provide that on things for work anymore. They just want your last four.

[Sharon]

When DD was a camper they never wanted her SSN. When she was going to be a counselor they wanted it to do a background check. Then they found out that she was under 18 and told us that they were not allowed to do background checks on kids under 18 and didn't want it.

The camp had actually changed the rules to where you had to be 18 to be a counselor, so that background checks could be run. DD had already been a counselor for two years before the change. They could not get enough college aged kids who could/would volunteer for a week. They all needed paying jobs.