Tipping camp counselors?

[Laugh O. Grams]

I know tipping threads tend to get a bit heated around here, but I'm jumping in anyways.

We're picking up my 9yo DD from her first summer at sleep away camp next Saturday and she's having the time of her life! I've heard from a number of people that they tip their kids' counselors at the end of the session. I'm hoping to hear from a few veterans who have more experience with the practice (both parents and counselors) than I and wondering if it's generally expected.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I know tipping threads tend to get a bit heated around here, but I'm jumping in anyways.

We're picking up my 9yo DD from her first summer at sleep away camp next Saturday and she's having the time of her life! I've heard from a number of people that they tip their kids' counselors at the end of the session. I'm hoping to hear from a few veterans who have more experience with the practice (both parents and counselors) than I and wondering if it's generally expected.

No. Definitely not.

 

[LongLiveDisney]

No. I think that's kind of tacky.

 

[aprilgail2]

I know tipping threads tend to get a bit heated around here, but I'm jumping in anyways.

We're picking up my 9yo DD from her first summer at sleep away camp next Saturday and she's having the time of her life! I've heard from a number of people that they tip their kids' counselors at the end of the session. I'm hoping to hear from a few veterans who have more experience with the practice (both parents and counselors) than I and wondering if it's generally expected.

Absolutely. Most of the counselors work mainly for tips. I remember the parents who didn't want to tip during day camp were the ones that did not send their kids to camp the last day of the season!

"No two camping programs are identical – and tipping philosophies are very different from camp to camp. In checking websites last night, I found that most private camps encourage tipping and take the time explain the practice in their parent information. If your child is attending camp this summer, check the camp policies before tipping your counselor. If you can’t find this information in your parent handbook, call the camp and ask. This will save you an awkward good-bye on the last day of camp."

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I sent my daughter to camp for 9 years followed by her working there for 7 more. I have never heard of tipping. I am sure the counselors would not be allowed to take them.

 

[3boymthr]

I've never heard of it!

 

[GS for life]

No tipping at Girl Scout camp. I have never heard of any tipping at camp.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[aprilgail2]

No tipping at Girl Scout camp. I have never heard of any tipping at camp.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

My daughter went to girl scout camp here for 5 years and they certainly did tip there. She also went to a private camp for 2 years and they sent home from the first day of camp the "recommended tipping paper"- I forget what it was but it was way more than I had thought I was going to be tipping.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I'm wondering if it's maybe a regional thing. Our friends here in the Midwest all say that they've never heard of it (it frankly never crossed my mind either) but our friends in the Northeast all swear by the practice.

I contacted the camp and they don't have a policy on tipping, so it's left up to the parents as far as what to do. On one hand, we don't want to come off as tacky, but on the other, I don't want to shaft the people who made DDs first camp experience so special.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

AprilGail, Where are you? Curious.

I asked DD and she said the counselors at her camp were not allowed to take tips.

 

[GS for life]

My daughter went to girl scout camp here for 5 years and they certainly did tip there. She also went to a private camp for 2 years and they sent home from the first day of camp the "recommended tipping paper"- I forget what it was but it was way more than I had thought I was going to be tipping.

I guess it is council dependent. I live in VA. My girls are at camp now, it is my oldest 10th summer. The counselors are mostly from overseas or past scouts from the area. I am not sure I would choose to sleep in a platform tent for my summer job, but many come back from the UK every year.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[jsal318]

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

 

[aprilgail2]

aprilgail, where are you? Curious.

I asked dd and she said the counselors at her camp were not allowed to take tips.

ny

 

[aprilgail2]

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

exactly

 

[ChitownFamily]

decades ago (make me feel old) when I worked at a number of residential camps- no one gave tips. The camps were all located in michigan with ties to affluent areas in the chicago area.
Around jr year in high school, i stopped working at overnight camps & shifted to day camps. At the end of the summer, i always received nominal gift cards. ($5-$20) starbucks, target etc.

My career involved overseeing day camps for 6 years, at least one camper per camp group- gifted their counselor. This was in a middle class suburb. Day camp is treated/viewed the same as day care for many families.

 

[ashley0139]

I was a camp counselor for 4 years in high school. Never once received a tip nor did anyone try. I've actually never heard of the practice. This was SE USA.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I attended several Girl Scout camps (day camp and sleep-over camp), as well as church camps over the years. Also have a daughter who both attended and worked as a councelor at GS camps. And my sister also was a counselor for a number of years at different GS camps from CA to NJ. Also, 2 sons who worked Boy Scout day camps as well as long term camps.

No tips were given or received at any of the camps.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

Never tipped any of the camps--boy or girl. Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas. However, we did give a small gift and a thank you card. (candle, chocolates...)

 

[TinkerBelled]

I was a camp counselor. I think I got tipped twice in three years? We were instructed to refuse the first time it was offered but that we could accept it if the parents insisted.

As to whether you should, let's put it this way: if you can afford to, and there's no policy against it, it probably makes a much bigger difference to them than to you. I wasn't making tons as a counselor, and while I loved it, the year I walked away with $100 in tips was just fantastic.

 

[sk!mom]

I'm wondering if it's maybe a regional thing. Our friends here in the Midwest all say that they've never heard of it (it frankly never crossed my mind either) but our friends in the Northeast all swear by the practice.

I contacted the camp and they don't have a policy on tipping, so it's left up to the parents as far as what to do. On one hand, we don't want to come off as tacky, but on the other, I don't want to shaft the people who made DDs first camp experience so special.

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.