Summer Camp tipping

My DDs have main camp counselors, helper counselors, bus counselor and a bus driver. They sent a letter home with suggested tip amounts for each ($5-12 each per week!) which if I followed could cost $160 per child for 5 weeks of camp! Is that normal??

Message edited 8/11/2014 5:29:44 PM.

Summer Camp tipping

I think that's normal. I was a counselor at a day camp during hs. That was 20 years ago and even back then I got 20-40 from each camper and I was only the asst counselor.

Re: Summer Camp tipping

IMO, I think it's nervy to "suggest" a tipping scale yet I believe in tipping for good service.

I would give (not give) what you think is derserved and appropriate.

Summer Camp tipping

When I was a counselor 15 years ago we would get $40ish for an 8 week session (as a head counselor, less for others).
I do agree to tip what you feel they deserve but I also know most camps pay the counselors next to nothing.

Message edited 8/11/2014 5:49:49 PM.

Summer Camp tipping

Last year I gave my sins counselors (4 of them), $25 each and a heartfelt thank you card

Summer Camp tipping

I am the Program Director of a children's camp and counselor for the same camp for 5 years prior. I have never gotten tipped.

Message edited 8/12/2014 12:45:53 AM.

Summer Camp tipping

Counselors rely on tips bc they are not paid much. DS went to his daycare's "camp" it was 6 weeks, 5 days (though most weeks he was not there 5 days more like 3). I tipped each teacher/counselor $30 each.

Re: Summer Camp tipping

I requested a brochure recently for a camp and they had rates that included end of summer tipping right in the packet. Much higher than what OP quoted but I think this place is one of those resorts for kids.

The camp was way out of our budget so it was tossed into the garbage immediately.

Re: Summer Camp tipping

We did $50 for head counselor and $25 for helpers. It is costing me $400!! The counselors were great though.

Re: Summer Camp tipping

My sister was a counselor at a very expensive camp. Counselors do not make a lot of money and traditionally are college students.

I am going to tip my DS counselors $50

Summer Camp tipping

I'm a counselor during the summer and to be honest, we are not paid well. I get less than minimum wage and really hope for tips. That being said, most parents rarely tip. I work with the youngest group of kids for two sessions (4 weeks) and received $5 each session. I'm with these kids from 8:15 until 4:00 and do everything with them except teach them to swim. It gets a little upsetting when we end camp and I've spent as much on gas getting there as what we make.

Message edited 8/12/2014 10:28:57 AM.

Re: Summer Camp tipping

Summer Camp tipping

If you're kids had a good time and you're happy with the counselors than tip what you can afford and what you think is appropriate. I was a counselor in HS and college and the tips varied by family. Anywhere from $5 to Starbucks to $50 cash. I'd say most tipped $20 cash. Also, oddly enough for the most part, only the parents of younger children tipped (4-6 and 7-8 year olds). Our camp went up to 12. Wonder if parents had enough of the tipping by the time their kids got older lol.

Re: Summer Camp tipping

Re: Summer Camp tipping

I was a camp counselor for a few years for a pricey camp. I was not paid well and really appreciated tips at the end of the summer.

No, it's not the parent's fault that counselors are paid very little, but I think paying out a couple hundred dollars at the end of the summer isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. But to each their own. I'm sure each counselor would appreciate any sort of tip.

Re: Summer Camp tipping

My son is going to camp for 3 hours a day 2 days a week for a total of 4 weeks.. He has a CIT that picks him up at the gate and minds over him when he is there... I am not sure who his main councilor is because he bounces around from different groups. He gets bused home only. What do I tip? Camp is all new for my famiy.

Re: Summer Camp tipping

It is the norm to tip at the end of the summer. My kids have been going to one of those pensive day camp which was our decision.. and they do send home advice as to what to tip but it is not mandatory to do so.

That being said for 8 weeks I need to tip the bus driver, bus counselor, group leader, 2 counselor a and the swim instructor.

Here's the breakdown: counselors 45-50 each, group leader 30-35, bus driver 30-35, bus counselor 25-30, swim counselor- 20-30...

In the grand scheme of things , $50 tip for them being with your kids for 39 days from 8:30-4 is pretty low....
Do the math....

My children come home happy and love camp. To me that is what it is all about- their happiness....

Re: Summer Camp tipping

Re: Summer Camp tipping

Message edited 8/12/2014 8:28:37 PM.

Summer Camp tipping

just crashing to say, NY is one of the only states that expects to be tipped for everything... I would love to be tipped for doing my job but that will never happen..

I know this sounds horrible but a tip jar is everywhere including at camp

Re: Summer Camp tipping

Posted by mattsgirl1013

Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee

Posted by mattsgirl1013

I'm a counselor during the summer and to be honest, we are not paid well. I get less than minimum wage and really hope for tips. That being said, most parents rarely tip. I work with the youngest group of kids for two sessions (4 weeks) and received $5 each session. I'm with these kids from 8:15 until 4:00 and do everything with them except teach them to swim. It gets a little upsetting when we end camp and I've spent as much on gas getting there as what we make.

Playing Devils Advocate though, a lot of these camps are expensive enough. It's not the parents fault that the owners don't pay their staff a lot.

I get the whole argument that you want good staff watching your kids, but some of these "tips" equate to an extra session or more.

Also working in a traditionally low paying field that I needed a Master's for, I personally don't have a lot of sympathy for younger kids who do this for a summer.

I had to work plenty of minimum wage jobs myself back in the day.

Sorry if that sounds mean but I know that a lot of working parents have no choice but to pay these camp prices and it really puts them in a bad spot financially.

You're absolutely right in saying that the camps are expensive. But I still don't see that as a reason to give NOTHING to the counselors that take care of your child all day. These parents also have the choice of sending their child to a less expensive camp.

I worked plenty of minimum wage jobs in my teen years and now working this in my 20s. It still stinks to not get ANYTHING when you've worked hard all summer. If each parent tipped the counselors $10, it would add up to a lot to them. Many of the counselors I work with are teachers during the year, and have Master's Degrees, so we don't typically do it for the money. But it doesn't mean that we don't appreciate a small tip after working with the children

Re: Summer Camp tipping

My son went for four weeks, two days a week from 9:15-11:45am he is two years old. I gave birth the night before his last day of school and though I bought thank you cards for the 3 teachers I was going to give 15.00 gift cards for Dunkin Donuts to two of the teachers and 20 to home goods for the one main teacher I never got to do it. I feel bad and may send the cards to the school when I get the time however Im not sure yet.

Summer Camp tipping

why do i need to tip the group leader? i don't even know who she is.

Summer Camp tipping

Everyone tips because they feel the pressure to do so because somehow it became the "thing" to do. why does everyone have to be tipped for doing a job they get paid to do??

I worked many jobs when younger where tips could have been given and I worked hard but didn't get anything extra but stilled loved doing my job.

Message edited 8/13/2014 10:49:51 AM.

Summer Camp tipping

If you want to tip then tip and if you don't then don't. It's really not a big deal. I personally tip anyone who goes out of the way for my child. It's just nice to give a thank you. Whether it's a $50 tip, box of candy or just a card, it's the thought that counts.