Improvement costs; Chess parents, your thoughts pls?

It's hard to imagine that it's been a year since my son's first chess tournament!  He's pretty much self-taught in chess because he refuses chess lessons, books, and videos.

Anyway, it seems being self-taught can only carry him so far (he's at a prolonged losing streak and at USCF 800), so I thought chess camp (where they do many different things) might be fun for him.  The problem is, in order for him to accept chess camp, son and I have come to the following agreement: no Chinese/math/piano lessons and 40 mins of extra daily video game time.

I'm beginning to think the price of chess camp is too high.

Chess is good in that it is a very good lifelong hobby (plus it is something son's pretty good at and likes to play); and son's current level is more than good enough as far as hobbies go.

It is only for competitions where his skill is considered weak.  Currently, we have gathered together a few kids from his school to participate in a grade level tournament next year.  So, I'd like to see him improve a bit to give the school a better chance at a trophy.

I'm hoping that he'll like chess camp enough that I don't have to offer so much concessions next time.  But, if not, I'm wondering... maybe instead of improving, his rating can go lower (I can create situations where he'll be happy to lose games.  Currently, the only reason he tries hard to win tournament games is the rewards.  Our rewards used to be the same for winning and losing... which caused him to resign easily when he's down material.  So I just need to bring that reward system back).  Then I can put him in reserve sections (he's got no qualms beating lower-rated people; he's just as happy).  This will likely also mean the end of chess competitions for him.

Parents, what do you think?