Camp counselor gifts?

[lavagirl]

Is this a thing? I saw one of the other moms had given gift cards to the camp counselors and bus attendant. Is this expected at the end of camp? I didn't even consider gifts for counselors (I feel like I've already spent enough on camp).   

[CupcakeGuru]

I worked as a camp counselor during all of college at several fancy day camps. I also drove a bus and picked up about a dozen kids and drove them to and from camp everyday. At a lot of private camps (not the city/county ones), the counsellors are paid by the season and the pay from the camp was appalling (not even minimum wage when you added all the hours). I made most of my money for the summer from the tips from the parents.

I don't know if it is the same pay structure now since my kids have gone to the same place that they go for after school during the school year and I know they pay them well.

[mm1970]

Is this a thing? I saw one of the other moms had given gift cards to the camp counselors and bus attendant. Is this expected at the end of camp? I didn't even consider gifts for counselors (I feel like I've already spent enough on camp).

No.

I've never tipped a camp counselor.  I figure $150 to $350/ week (depending on the camp)...yeah, that's enough.

[QueenV]

No, this is not a thing.  I worked as camp counselor for 3 summers and have many, many friends who also worked as counselors at various locations.  I have never heard of this.  I don't think it's necessary.  Honestly, most parents didn't even bother to meet me or say hello before they took their kids home.  I always thought that was weird, wouldn't you want to at least shake the hand of the person who took care of your kid for week?!  But anyway, no, I don't think your kid's counselor will expect a tip or gift.  If you want to do something nice, make it a point to meet them before you take your kids home.  Shake their hand, look them in the eye, and say "Thanks" and that will be enough.  Camp counsellors get paid next to nothing, but they are well aware of that going into it and they generally get free room and board for the summer.  Most of them do not work at a camp because they need the money, they work at a camp because they want to have fun for a summer.  All my friends who needed the money got real minimum wage jobs.