Tipping camp counselors?

[Laugh O. Grams]

I would interpret the camp's lack of a policy as, please tip. In my experience, if tipping isn't allowed it's typically stated.

As this thread shows some camps allow/expect tipping while others do not. Since you say that several people (I would assume in your area) have mentioned tipping to you, I would think that tipping is expected or at least common in your area.

Since your DD has had such a fabulous time, I would go to pick up with a stack of thank you cards with cash enclosed and hand them out.

Yeah, I think that's going to be the plan. Cash in a couple thank you cards at pickup will probably do the trick. Maybe give it to them when we're leaving so they don't feel obligated to open them in front of us.

 

[wannabee]

Many summers ago I worked as a camp counselor in New England. Tips were very common and very appreciated. Two summers ago, I sent my son to camp in Arkansas. He had a great time and I tried to tip but was told no- against the rules.

 

[Cindy B]

My daughter works at a camp.

She is a lifeguard, teaches swim lessons and is a bus counselor. She has campers with developmental delays as well as students as young as 4 to 17 on her bus. She had to get Epi Pen trained for this years bus route. She also volunteers to teach swimming to the campers with special needs- no other lifeguard volunteered.

She gets TIPS! Last year she got more tips than her salary (which was only a few hundred dollars for 8 weeks of work) Last year she was pool staff-- not a certified lifeguard, as she is this year.

She gets tips as a swim lesson teacher (usually unheard of), and tips as a bus counselor, and tips as a lifeguard (usually unheard of)

In fact the camp she works websites states that tipping can be done-- and gives suggested amounts. Did she get a tip from everyone? No-- she got some notes, cards, candy and quite a bit of CASH (over $500 worth- almost $600)

This year she has gotten a few tips already-- all cash. Parents also ask if she will babysit for them as well- so she has steady babysitting gigs from this camp.


Some counselors make less than $100 a week. Is it there choice to take the counselor job? Yes, but it is difficult to find teen jobs around here (most places are all over 18). The bunk counselors get tips to offset the wages.

 

[shoney]

Yes tips are standard around here.

Some of the private camps will give guidelines on the amounts for counselors, CIT's, swim instuctors, etc..

My kids went through the town, so no guidelines were given, but at the end of every session you saw all the envelopes being passed around.


A few years back I started a thread about "how much" to tip and was shocked by the "NO TIP" responses.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

So my DD has two bunk counselors who the girls seem to spend all of their time with and will for sure get a little something from us. Who else should typically be included?

 

[shoney]

So my DD has two bunk counselors who the girls seem to spend all of their time with and will for sure get a little something from us. Who else should typically be included?

I honestly don't know.

Here is an example of a local day camp's tip sheet suggestion:
http://www.parkshoredaycamp.com/day-camp/news/staff-gratuities-tip-sheet.html

 

[lovemygoofy]

So my DD has two bunk counselors who the girls seem to spend all of their time with and will for sure get a little something from us. Who else should typically be included?

You should always tip your favorite Tina

I can't believe your baby is 9 and away at camp!! That's all carry on...

 

[Cindy B]

Another local camp:

Staff Recognition
What is an appropriate way to thank the staff that took care of my child this summer?
While tipping is certainly not required, we do suggest that tips are an appropriate way to recognize those staff members who have contributed toward the success of your child's summer experience. Below is a guide that may be helpful.
Sr. Counselor: $25 - $40
Bus Counselor: $10 - $20
Asst. Sr. Counselor: $20 - $30
Bus Driver: $10 - $15
Jr. Counselor: $15 - $25
Counselor Assistant: $10 - $20
CIT: $10 - $15

You may also wish to consider your child's Swim Instructor and Daycare Staff.

 

[SMD]

Is this the last camp session? I usually scrunch up my face when I see this on the cruise board, but maybe this is the right time for a care package type gift for the staff. What about a tip for the bunk counselors and something to leave out in the office for the rest of the staff to share.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

You should always tip your favorite Tina

I can't believe your baby is 9 and away at camp!! That's all carry on...

I know, right?!? Where have the years gone?

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Another local camp:

Staff Recognition
What is an appropriate way to thank the staff that took care of my child this summer?
While tipping is certainly not required, we do suggest that tips are an appropriate way to recognize those staff members who have contributed toward the success of your child's summer experience. Below is a guide that may be helpful.
Sr. Counselor: $25 - $40
Bus Counselor: $10 - $20
Asst. Sr. Counselor: $20 - $30
Bus Driver: $10 - $15
Jr. Counselor: $15 - $25
Counselor Assistant: $10 - $20
CIT: $10 - $15

You may also wish to consider your child's Swim Instructor and Daycare Staff.

Holy smokes! Very helpful though. I think I'm going to have to call the camp back, get a staff list and see who did what. I'm totally clueless...

 

[Cindy B]

Holy smokes! Very helpful though. I think I'm going to have to call the camp back, get a staff list and see who did what. I'm totally clueless...

Now your child may not have had all of those people .

If it is a sleep away camp (this list is from a day camp), there would be no bus driver, bus counselor.

I would do counselor, or assistant counselor. Maybe not even a CIT.

If there is a specific staff member that shines out to you (like your favorite lifeguard! ) by all means do something-- even if it is a card. My daughter tells her head lifeguard about all the notes and letters and the information goes in her personnel file--she keeps the cards.

And don't think about money either-- candy, cookies, giftcards (even $5 Starbucks was great for her)

 

[gcarr1426]

I worked at a residential camp for 18 years. Tipping was not required but always appreciated. Camp staff salaries are really low. My first year I made $65 a week and worked 7 days a week about 80 hours per week. We had a lot of international staff and once all the agency fees were taken for their placement some were lucky to walk away with $400 in their pocket for 9 weeks of work. Tips ranged from $25 -$50 bit could go as high as $100 for a week. Some parents chose to give small gifts instead.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Now your child may not have had all of those people .

If it is a sleep away camp (this list is from a day camp), there would be no bus driver, bus counselor.

I would do counselor, or assistant counselor. Maybe not even a CIT.

If there is a specific staff member that shines out to you (like your favorite lifeguard! ) by all means do something-- even if it is a card. My daughter tells her head lifeguard about all the notes and letters and the information goes in her personnel file--she keeps the cards.

And don't think about money either-- candy, cookies, giftcards (even $5 Starbucks was great for her)

It's a two-week/one month sleep away camp, and I only met her 2 counselors who bunk with the girls at drop off. I know I'll be giving them something, maybe $100.00 each, and I'm thinking take the lead from my daughter if she wants to give a little something to any other staff who made her experience more fun. Def appreciate the guidance!

 

[tvguy]

Learn something every day. Never would of thought of tipping anyone at camp, but a Google search reveals it is the norm at some camps.

I did check with a friend who worked at a Girl Scout camp. No tips there, but she points out they never saw the parents, the kids were all bused in from 2 1/2 hours away, and camp rules forbid campers from having any money (or high tech devices, but since there is no cell service and no electricity, they wouldn't be very useful for very long).

 

[JanaDee]

I have never heard of tipping at summer camp. I went to camp multiple years, worked at a summer camp for a summer, my sister RAN a summer camp multiple years and DD attended her first summer camp last month.

Tipping has never, ever been a topic that has come up.

*I just texted Dsis and asked her about tipping. Her answer was "Camp employees were expressly forbidden from accepting tips."

 

[3smithboys]

It's interesting to see all of the responses.... it would never occur to me not to tip! In our area, tipping is the norm and counselors depend on tips to make up for not getting paid very much during the camp season.

My DH was a day camp counselor for many years. When our kids went to camp with him, we tipped their counselors. My oldest DS was going to be a CIT this year, and he would have been paid $50 a week - yup $10 a day....from 8:30-4:00! (and then hope for tips!)

He decided to work elsewhere...

 

[Sabeking]

I have never heard of that or done it.

 

[Pixiedustaway]

In my area (Long Island, NY) tipping is expected.

Plus one. We tip the teachers and volunteers at their vacation bible school.

 

[mefordis]

In my area (Long Island, NY) tipping is expected.

Yep nj tipping is expected.