Which of the following is considered a special expense?

The designation of camp fees during summer as a special expense is rooted in the definition of special expenses within family law, particularly in the context of child support and parenting arrangements. Special expenses typically refer to costs that fall outside of standard or routine expenses necessary for a child's upbringing.

In this scenario, camp fees can be seen as additional costs incurred that are not part of regular monthly expenditures. They represent a unique expense that may benefit the child's development and social experiences but is not a recurring or necessary obligation like groceries or dental check-ups. Special expenses often require further consideration and division between parents, which is unlike routine costs that are more predictable and structured into a regular budget.

In contrast, options such as routine dental check-ups, monthly grocery bills, and school supply purchases relate to essential needs that occur regularly and are expected as part of child-rearing responsibilities. These expenses are generally classified as ordinary costs of raising a child, which do not require the same level of scrutiny or negotiation as special expenses like summer camp fees, which can vary significantly in cost and are not mandated by law or convention.