How Much to Tip Summer Camp Counselors

Wow - never even thought to tip counselors - don't plan on it, either - cost enough to enroll in the camps!!

2 moms found this helpful

I personally would not tip them. DOn't they get paid to be there? My kids never did a summer camp because they cost too much!

I personally think htey only people that should get tips are waitresses because most of the time they don't even make minimum wage!

Not sure what type of camp you mean but I've never heard of tipping counselors and it may not even be allowed by whatever organization runs the camp. It is far more personal to give the counselors some kind of small thoughtful gift -- which could of course be a modest gift card. If they're teenagers they might like a Starbucks gift card. I am a volunteer staffer for a Girl Scout camp (where no one is paid to be on staff, not even the directors; we are all volunteers) and I gave our three teen staffers Starbucks cards in pretty bags with some fun bath gels etc. - BUT I was one of their "bosses" working alongside them for an entire week, which is very different from being a parent wondering about a "tip." I think you're very nice to want to remember the counselors, by the way! I just would not make it a cash tip.

Camp counselors are not allowed to accept monetary tips. You could write a thank you note and maybe give a box of candy or if you know they are college students then give a gift they could use for school. a kid's dad tried to give a tip while picking up his son at camp Christopher last weekend and the councilor told him sorry not allowed. but thanks for the thought.

Depends on the camp. My kids' day camp actually has the b*lls to send home a letter every year with "recommended" tip amounts. They expect us to tip about 6 different counselors (head counselor, juinor counselors, bus counselor, swim counselor) and the bus driver... I usually give less than requested and to fewer people because I just can't shell out so much cash.

I had no idea camp counselors got tipped. So I googled this article and it has lots of good advice:

http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/25/summer-camp-and-tipp...

we usually give a thank you note and maybe some little goodie (cookie, etc.). We're picking up my DD2 from a week sleep-away camp on Saturday and I was thinking of getting her counselors $5 starbucks cards b/c I figure after a week sharing a cabin with eight 9YO's, they'll need some coffee!