Should I tip the camp counselors after my daughter ends her 5 week stint at camp?

If you are satisfied with everything, you may as well go all the way and tip all of them as they are all part of the team!

I would give one card with a tip for all to share.

@janbb has it right. Now if there was one counselor who stood out among the others, one whom your daughter especially liked or who spent extra time with her, perhaps you could give him or her a gift card or some other special token of your appreciation—and maybe let your daughter give that to the counselor herself.

I wouldn’t tip. While a nice gesture, it’s a waste of money. They aren’t expecting it, you were not at camp personally, and likely the counselors will all be different next year.

What would you be tipping for, is my question? It’s after the fact and without personal experience.

What an interesting question. It would never occur to me to tip a camp counselor. Having been one for the Girl Scouts, my vote is to skip the tip and go with your idea of giving a card or cards. What about getting your daughter involved in writing them? It could lead to a life lesson in giving recognition when deserved.

@ibstubro: The way we gave an end of year gift to school teachers, and we gave a card with money to the after school staff (not just me doing that – most parents did). I didn’t know if the same was expected for the camp counselors. It’s my daughter’s first year in camp so I don’t know what other parents do.

If it’s a foolish question and the consensus is “don’t” then great, I’m happy to save money.

Why not ask the camp directors if it is customary or expected? It may depend on the type of camp it is.

Whaaa? I’ve never heard of tipping camp counselors. Is there anyone we’re not supposed to tip for doing their jobs these days?

No, I wouldn’t tip my kids’ camp counselor, nor would I tip my kids’ teacher.

@livelaughlove21: What we did for the teacher was chip in for a gift card. The logic is that teachers get enough mugs, candles and trinkets, so instead of that, give them something they could really use. Where I live, the kindergarten teacher made over $130k per year, which is not too shabby (although most on Fluther when I asked thought it was all good) but it was a “gift” not a “tip.” I just go with the flow- the moms collected for the teacher, I chipped in.

In the lunch room, twice a year, the teachers had a swap where they’d bring in all the crap they got all year that they didn’t want, and they’d trade with each other. They also bring the soaps and hand creams into the staff bathrooms and put them there for all to use. I’d imagine after a few years, they all have so many novelty gifts, frames, etc.

Tipping camp counselors never entered my mind. And that may be a good thing because how much is too little ? It is insulting to give a counselor ten bucks. You can barely buy lunch with that. So if you give them all twenty bucks that is darn expensive! I am certainly glad my parents never thought of such a thing since one counselor was a sadistic demon who should have been sued. She yelled at me using my last name, for one thing. I never returned.

I don’t have children, but if I did, I don’t think I’d ever consider tipping a camp consular (or teacher for that matter). I agree with @livelaughlove21 they’re just doing the job they’re paid to do. Should I also tip my doctor?

Again, it does vary from camp to camp. I’ve heard of both.

Gift or gift card with thank you note, no tip (cash).

No.