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ChilisWife
God Bless America
Member since 5/05 3572 total posts
Name:
A.K.
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Camp Tips
So our camp sent out a letter with suggested tip amounts for counselors and other staff. Honestly I hadnt thought of tips but I guess it makes sense. The thing is that the amounts suggested are pretty high - like $100 per counselor. I understand they work hard and probably arent paid much, but wow after spending a ton on camp for 2 kids, and each kid having 2-3 counselors, no way can I do another $500. Is this normal? Anyone have kids who were counselors?
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Posted 8/9/17 10:48 PM  |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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Camp Tips
That was one of my biggest complaints when I moved to LI - we were paying $4,000 for camp then was expected to tip each counselor at the end. $100/person sounds really high - our camp suggested no more than $40 - so head counselor $40, secondary counselors $25-30, bus driver and swim instructor $20.
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| Posted 8/10/17 8:40 AM |
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Re: Camp Tips
I worked as a head counselor while in college - I never received a $100 tip, nor did I ever expect that much. And personally I wouldn't tip that much as a parent. I also worked in a specialty area at a camp (dance teacher) and rarely received tips, and I wouldn't expect to because I was not taking care of the same kids all day.
Give what you can, or what you feel is reasonable. Camps don't pay much, and while that's not really your problem, these people are caring for your children. Would you ever tip nothing at restaurant? And that person is only handling your food.
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| Posted 8/10/17 11:58 AM |
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hmm
Sweet
Member since 1/14 7993 total posts
Name:
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Camp Tips
I agree with Liveformoments. I know people that don't tip at all because the cost of camp is so great.
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| Posted 8/10/17 9:42 PM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2050 total posts
Name:
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Camp Tips
Even though the camp is expensive, the counselors are likely making next to nothing. Summer camps are exempt from the minimum wage law, and counselors are offered a lump sum for the summer. The wage, when divided out over the hours worked for the summer, come to a little over $3 per hour. Most counselors are doing it for experience and to use on college applications. So maybe keep that in mind when the tip sheets come out. I do think $100 is way too much, I would do maybe $25-50 for the counselors directly involved with my child and a small amount for any others.
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| Posted 8/14/17 8:35 AM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9534 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Re: Camp Tips
Our kids must go to the same camp, because I just got the email with the recommended amount of $3-$4 per day per counselor. 32 days x $3 ($4) per day = $96 ($128). This is DD's 5th year at this camp. I have never tipped $100 each counselor. I have tipped $50-$75 per counselor because that is what I can afford.
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| Posted 8/14/17 6:53 PM |
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pinkiegirl
Member since 7/07 2160 total posts
Name:
Dana
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Re: Camp Tips
Posted by busymomonli
Even though the camp is expensive, the counselors are likely making next to nothing. Summer camps are exempt from the minimum wage law, and counselors are offered a lump sum for the summer. The wage, when divided out over the hours worked for the summer, come to a little over $3 per hour. Most counselors are doing it for experience and to use on college applications. So maybe keep that in mind when the tip sheets come out. I do think $100 is way too much, I would do maybe $25-50 for the counselors directly involved with my child and a small amount for any others.
I get this.. but I have to say it infuriates me.. I paid more than 5 grand for camp this year. 8 weeks , full time because I work full time and had no other option. And I'm expected to make up the difference because the camps pay the counselors a lousy salary. It's not right. they should pay their counselors more. My son attended a camp last year that if I stuck with their recommended tipping would have been another 450 bucks in tips.. That's not right
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| Posted 8/16/17 2:24 PM |
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LInMI
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 1800 total posts
Name:
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Re: Camp Tips
Posted by pinkiegirl
Posted by busymomonli
Even though the camp is expensive, the counselors are likely making next to nothing. Summer camps are exempt from the minimum wage law, and counselors are offered a lump sum for the summer. The wage, when divided out over the hours worked for the summer, come to a little over $3 per hour. Most counselors are doing it for experience and to use on college applications. So maybe keep that in mind when the tip sheets come out. I do think $100 is way too much, I would do maybe $25-50 for the counselors directly involved with my child and a small amount for any others.
I get this.. but I have to say it infuriates me.. I paid more than 5 grand for camp this year. 8 weeks , full time because I work full time and had no other option. And I'm expected to make up the difference because the camps pay the counselors a lousy salary. It's not right. they should pay their counselors more. My son attended a camp last year that if I stuck with their recommended tipping would have been another 450 bucks in tips.. That's not right
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| Posted 8/17/17 8:05 AM |
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TheDivineMrsM
2 girls 4 me!
Member since 8/08 7878 total posts
Name:
Mama mama mama....
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Re: Camp Tips
If your child went to camp for 8 weeks, 5 days a week, and the suggested tip is $100... you're tipping the counselor $2.50 a day.
Is there a difference in the amount for group leaders, junior counselors, CITs, etc? Was there a counselor that your child especially liked? Or went above and beyond for your child? If money is an issue I'd give the largest amount to the "favorite" and less to the others. Do what you can but IMO they deserve something.
I was a counselor for years and now have camp-aged children, so I understand both sides.
Message edited 8/17/2017 9:15:53 PM.
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| Posted 8/17/17 9:12 PM |
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pinkiegirl
Member since 7/07 2160 total posts
Name:
Dana
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Re: Camp Tips
Posted by TheDivineMrsM
If your child went to camp for 8 weeks, 5 days a week, and the suggested tip is $100... you're tipping the counselor $2.50 a day.
Is there a difference in the amount for group leaders, junior counselors, CITs, etc? Was there a counselor that your child especially liked? Or went above and beyond for your child? If money is an issue I'd give the largest amount to the "favorite" and less to the others. Do what you can but IMO they deserve something.
I was a counselor for years and now have camp-aged children, so I understand both sides.
I actually tipped a little more for the camp my son attended this year because he only had 3 counselors and a bus driver and bus counselor.. The camp he attended last year had 1 head counselor, 3 counselors, 3 counselors in training , plus bus driver and bus counselor.. I'm sorry but that is ridiculous to have to tip 9 people! It's unfair to families scrounging together the money to send their kids to camp as it is.. because camp has become so ridiculously expensive.. especially for those of us who arent teachers and rely on childcare for our children all summer
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| Posted 8/18/17 11:07 AM |
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Dolphinsbaby
My 3 little guys!
Member since 12/10 2943 total posts
Name:
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Re: Camp Tips
Posted by pinkiegirl
Posted by TheDivineMrsM
If your child went to camp for 8 weeks, 5 days a week, and the suggested tip is $100... you're tipping the counselor $2.50 a day.
Is there a difference in the amount for group leaders, junior counselors, CITs, etc? Was there a counselor that your child especially liked? Or went above and beyond for your child? If money is an issue I'd give the largest amount to the "favorite" and less to the others. Do what you can but IMO they deserve something.
I was a counselor for years and now have camp-aged children, so I understand both sides.
I actually tipped a little more for the camp my son attended this year because he only had 3 counselors and a bus driver and bus counselor.. The camp he attended last year had 1 head counselor, 3 counselors, 3 counselors in training , plus bus driver and bus counselor.. I'm sorry but that is ridiculous to have to tip 9 people! It's unfair to families scrounging together the money to send their kids to camp as it is.. because camp has become so ridiculously expensive.. especially for those of us who arent teachers and rely on childcare for our children all summer
I agree. I see both sides because my sister was a camp counselor for many years and relied on those tips. I sent my twins to camp all summer (that is my childcare) and spent close to $6k for 8 weeks. They have a head counselor, 4 counselors, 4 bus counselors, and a bus driver. They are in the same group so all the people are the same (counselors, etc.). We did not tip the full amount recommended for both kids but somewhere in between 1 and 2 kids. The tips cost us $860. DH was pissed. He was like at least the camp we can write off as childcare on our taxes, but we just spent close to another $1k and can't even write it off. We are currently in an argument right now over this. 
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| Posted 8/25/17 11:49 AM |
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