Anonymous wrote:I started working at summer camps at age 16 and now at 21 still work there, and can tell you that summer camps do not pay close to minimum wage. Because they are considered seasonal work they are allowed to pay a flat salary that is often extremely low. I still remember that my first summer I was paid $675 before tax to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks plus 4 days of staff training. I have since done the math and realized that I had been paid roughly $1.97 per hour. I only say this because I think most parents who are against tipping counselors do not realize how little they sometimes get paid. I have also heard the argument that room and board is part of the salary but at most day camps, the staff does not live at camp, we leave to go home about a half hour after your kids do. And to parents who think that because they are paying camp large amount of money that the staff must be paid well, this is a day camp that charges over $1000 a week but pays staff almost nothing. We are told when we sign our contract that we will receive tips from most parents meaning we count on it as part of our salary.

I'd be interested to learn about which day camps are charging $1,000 per week. I pay about $1300 per week for sleepaway camp which is 24x7. That sounds like a very expensive day camp.

I started working at summer camps at age 16 and now at 21 still work there, and can tell you that summer camps do not pay close to minimum wage. Because they are considered seasonal work they are allowed to pay a flat salary that is often extremely low. I still remember that my first summer I was paid $675 before tax to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks plus 4 days of staff training. I have since done the math and realized that I had been paid roughly $1.97 per hour. I only say this because I think most parents who are against tipping counselors do not realize how little they sometimes get paid. I have also heard the argument that room and board is part of the salary but at most day camps, the staff does not live at camp, we leave to go home about a half hour after your kids do. And to parents who think that because they are paying camp large amount of money that the staff must be paid well, this is a day camp that charges over $1000 a week but pays staff almost nothing. We are told when we sign our contract that we will receive tips from most parents meaning we count on it as part of our salary.

As a teenager when I was a lifeguard at an apt complex pool, I always got tipped out by the property manager at the end of the summer. It wasn't expected but it sure was nice to get an extra $100 at the end of the summer.

I've just always tried to do this for the teenagers who are working. I know that they don't make a lot of money. And it's always nice to know that what you do it appreciated by the people you are working for.

For me, it's about remembering how hard I had to work those summers while my friends got to go on great vacations or lay pool side. Working as a teenager teachers you great skills and a good work ethic, but that doesn't mean it doesn't suck. A little extra in your pocket can put a smile on your face. If I have the ability to brighten a kids day, why wouldn't I?