The recession has hit many families hard, but some parents refuse to let that affect their children's summer activities.  In fact, enrollment is up for one local learning center's camps despite the economic downturn.

Three-year-old Holland Hulscher is staying active this summer at Excel Discovery Center camps. Between Holland and her 9-year-old brother's activities, their parents have a busy couple months ahead.

"I think it's important to keep them busy over the summer because a busy kid is a happy kid," Heather Hulscher said.

In fact, Excel Discovery Center has as many as 2 to 3 times the children enrolled in its camps this summer over last.

"We also have such a wide range of camps, everything from plants and gardening, farm animals, bugs and cooking, reading, math camps," Molly Wilson of Excel Discovery Center said.

But ranging from $100 to $200 for four days, these camps don't come cheap. Still, that didn't deter the Hulschers.

"We start planning in February, March; start paying deposits to take load off expense later on," Heather said.

"We got rid of basic amenities to make sure we could afford all the different camps and summer activities," James Hulscher said.

"We got rid of cable, just to make some sacrifices so we can afford activities, because we're not going to be home watching TV. We got rid of our home phone." Heather said.

All because their kids are worth it.

"They love it. They love to get up in the morning and have somewhere to go and something to do and excited every morning to get up and do it. I'm just happy they're happy," Heather said.

Excel Achievement and Discovery Center credits its increased enrollment to word of mouth from parents.