Berkeley Parents Network: City of Berkeley Summer Day Camps

Berkeley Parents Network

City of Berkeley Summer Day Camps

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Summer Camps & School Breaks > City of Berkeley Summer Day Camps

April 2008

I just realized that the city of Berkeley offers a day camp that goes to Tilden and the Marina and another camp at the Live Oak Community Center. Does anyone have experience with one or both of these camps? Would love to hear about your experience. Thanks. Cindy

My son (8 years old) went to Berkeley Day camp the last two summers, and to the Live Oak camp this past winter break for three days. The Live Oak camp included several disabled children and they had minimal activities. They were scheduled to do some outdoor activities, but it rained so they stayed in and watched movies all day. I wouldn't send my child back - it wasn't a good fit. Berkeley Day camp is great, lots of running around in the forest, good counselors, devoted staff. Whole different thing. anon

Feb 2008

I HIGHLY recommend City's Berkeley Day Camp (kindergarten through aged 13 with the option of older kids being Counselors in Training at a greatly reduced fee for camp) which is a different program than the park-based programs. Unlike the park- based programs, Day Camp kids meet at one of I think 3 drop off locations and then are bused to various locations for the day. The basic schedule is 2 days at Tilden Park, 2 days at the Berkeley Marina, and 1 day either at Echo Lake or the beach in Alameda. I found the Day Camp program far superior (had tried the San Pablo Park program). My active boys LOVED being outdoors all the time and the staff is mostly college/young adult age rather than high school aged - very mature and VERY engaged with the kids). Day Camp Lover

March 2005

Does anyone have experience with this camp? Any concerns or positive imput about safety, quality of staff, atmosphere, programs, etc? It's so much less expensive than others -- is it too good to be true? Celia

Berkeley City Day camp is great. My older daughter went there every summer for several years, and my youngest daughter is now attending. Lots of outdoor fun, and crafts. The kids come home dirty, tired and happy, so you know they had a good time. The staff are fun and energetic. Nancy

Jan 2004

Could anyone whose child has attended the Citycamp summer camp in Berkeley please share thoughts about this camp? I'm intrigued by it for my 7-year-old (come summer). Was it fun? Was it well organized? Did your child like it? Were you comfortable with the level of supervision? Did your child have any bad experiences? Would your child go again? Etc. - Thanks. Amy

My son has loved the City of Berkeley daycamp program for the last 2 years(ages 6 & 7)--multiple weeks. They have fun counselors & a good variety of activities. The counselors are young and good with kids, and seem as responsible as one could expect for their age. Any requests (i.e. changing groups to be with a friend)were accomplished easily. And of course it's the best bargain in town--we've done weeks at many camps that were double the price and they were not superior in any way. Every year (including this one) we add more weeks at City of Berkeley. Nancy

January 2002

Has anyone had children go to this camp? It's surprisingly affordable, which I am sorry to say is a fairly significant thing this summer. Is it very chaotic? I have a fairly high need nine year old and a less high need six year old and would probably enroll them for several weeks along with other camps. Additionally, does anyone have any suggestions for relatively low cost camps? Thanks.

My son went to Berkeley Day Camp for four or five years and loved it. He stopped when he was around ten as he wanted to try new things. It's an exceptional value and the counselors are terrific. One thing to consider: You have to get your application in by the first day or you will probably not get in. Many parents sign up for all the sessions. The camp sends half the time in Tilden and and the other half down by the Berkeley Marina. Another outstanding camp is Playground Rats, run by the Albany YMCA. This is all sports, all of the time. The Y has other camps too. Jamie

My daughter loved Berkeley Day Camp and has gone there for 2 summers. The beginning of the pre-first-grade summer was a little rough because she wasn't in a group with any of her friends, but I learned that you can request that certain kids be together, and then my daughter made friends very easily and enjoyed her new friends as much as the old ones. The bigger kids were very nice to the younger ones, and kids took care of each other at the bus stop as well as at camp. I know some people have had problems with the supervision and lack of attention to kids with medical needs, but I have no complaints myself. Robbie

Re Berkeley Day Camp: My son has gone for at least 3-4 years and is sad that this is the last he'll be able to attend (due to age limits). I think it's the best deal in town! They hire great college kids who seem to be creative and fun. The camp will honor requests to have your child placed in the same group with friends, which is always a plus in the kids' minds. If your child does not like to be outside a lot, it's not a good choice because it is Entirely outside. I think there is a pretty good balance of activities, but it is a fairly low-key camp. The one complaint I've had is that it can be a little loose in the mornings when you drop your child off and this can be a problem if you're in a hurry to get to work. You have to wait for one of the 'bus counselors' to be present, and they sometimes stroll in a little late. The end-of-day pick-up time seems to be slightly fluid as well.... Deborah

My son has been to Berkeley Day Camp twice ((at 9 years old for two weeks and last year at 10 years old for the whole summer). He loved it and got on well with the other kids. This is a kid who has been immature/high maintenance in terms of behavior and social interactions in school, after school care, and past summer programs. Reasons for success? In my opinion, the staff was mature (at least college aged), well-trained, and visibly enthusiastic (didn't act like it was just a job). The staff seemed to deal with the kids individually - for example, when the age groups were remixed after the first session, my son was placed with 8-10 year olds rather than 10-13 year olds which made sense in terms of where he was (and though he complained, it really worked for him) Also, the format of going to different locations each day (Strawberry Canyon, Adventure Playground, swimming) kept things interesting and because the kids had to take buses, walk! , ! I think it reinforced the kids's understanding of the need for self-discipline and structure. My 6 year old is already talking about "I get to go this summer" (has caught his brother's enthusiasm) and my now 11 year old can't wait to be a CIT (Counselor in Training). Karen H.

And this from this morning: By the way, we've been very happy with the City of Berkeley Day Camp http://www.berkeleycamps.com/daycamp.html. It's energetic and fun, the price is great, they have camperships if you need that, and you don't need to sign up until April 24. Avi

1999

I've sent my kids to Berkeley City Day Camp for many years. In my opinion, it's not for everyone, but if you are OK with its style, it's great and certainly the best bargain you'll find. Strengths are that the kids are outside most of the time, that there is a high tolerance for exuberance (veering toward chaos on occasion), that it has a Berkeley community feel to it, and that it's diverse. Weaknesses are that it's big, much of the direct supervision of kids is done by relatively young and inexperienced counselors, and that it can get chaotic. I would not recommend it for kids who prefer a quiet, low-key environment or for parents who prefer to see their kids in a controlled environment with lots of adult supervision. My kids love it because it's a lot of fun. I turn off the control-freak part of me and send them because it seems like a bit of craziness is a good antidote to the rest of the year and one of the things summer is for. Nina

Berkeley Day Camp is great. My going-into-first-grader loves it. They get picked up at a school and get to ride the school bus to Tilden or the Marina. The staff is fabulous. They swim at Anza or Crab Cove or Crown Beach every week. There is a weekly cook out. You can sign up for just the weeks you want. And it has got to be the bargain of the area ($57 week till 3:30, a little more for extended day). You do have to sign up on time and pay in advance. Call the city for details for next summer. My husband went to this camp 30 years ago! Kristin

Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 14:47:58 -0700
 
Willard Park (at Derby and Hillegas) has a small summer program
which my son is attending and really enjoys.  They have scheduled activites,
including a lot of field trips, but mainly the kids just play.  They can
opt to play the whole day if they want to, on most days.  The price is
quite moderate, probably around $400 a month for most people (less for
us, since I'm low income).  However, it is a small program and you have
to get there on the morning that open it for sign up (a Saturday in
early May), or you don't have much of a possibility of getting in.

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