To me, this issue resembles the endless discussions we have on whether or not your wedding gift should be cash in the equivalent of what the reception costs per plate - the Northeast (in addition to small pockets across the country) does it one way & the rest of the country (primarily the south & Midwest) does it another way. LOL! And, once again, I'm reminded of yet another reason why I'm glad I don't live in the northeast!
I have never heard of tipping camp counselors - but, again, I'm from the backwards south!
However, I don't think a small token of appreciation to the counselors at the end of the camp session would be remiss - a note of thanks w/ a gift card perhaps - the same sort of thing one would do for a teacher at the end of the school year. But, again, that's the way we'd do it down here!
Our older 2 children just finished their summer season of swim team. As we did last year, we gave each of their coaches a thank you card w/ a gift card enclosed. I don't think of it as a "tip" though - giving cash in a card to their coaches almost seems condescending to me.
Regarding Vacation Bible School, I've worked in VBSs for years! And I've never received any kind of tip or "gift" for my services. Our kids have attended VBS for years, & we've also never tipped the VBS teachers. It's a ministry.
Many times, churches will have a hospitality room set up for workers, & the church will acknowledge the workers w/ public appreciation.
At most VBSs, a daily offering is taken, but that offering goes to whatever charity or mission the church has chosen. For example, one year, our VBS offering went to purchase things like toothbrushes, toothpastes, soaps, shoe laces & other toiletry items for a medical mission in Honduras.
I can't think of any VBS worker who would accept a tip.
And when did every service ever offered become something that has to be tipped anyway? I'm speaking primarily of VBS workers. I understand, from reading comments here, that it's common to tip camp counselors based on the region & the usual tipping practices of that region.
