We are thinking of sending our soon to be 7 year old daughter to Monkey Business Camp this summer. Their website sounds great. I'd love to hear from people whose kids were there last summer. Do they walk the talk? Our daughter is a little shy at first but then pretty out going and friendly, she loves the out doors and is very active, she loves swimming. She's not very project oriented. We'd love to hear recent experiences, both the good and the bad.

Re: Summer Camp, Oakland, entering 1st grader
Responding to your question about a summer camp, have you considered Monkey Business Camp, www.monkeybusinesscamp.com My child has attended for 4 years and loved it. Here are some of the things you said you were looking for: Music- at camp, they sing fun camp songs each day crafts and other variety activities- each day, a van is brought to the site with equipment for activities. Art is included daily, there are fun group and circle games, short hikes with fun focus, like ''scavenger hunt'', and creative focused days, like Messy Day, Tie-dye day, Mad Science. Each session has a focus too, so you can choose that too. Swimming- they go to Roberts Pool one afternoon a week Staff: they choose fantastic, engaging counselors who spend time focused on campers, not each other, which I have seen at other camps. It is very well supervised. Hours of care: they have a 7-hour basic day. My child attended extended care from 3:30-6:00pm and enjoyed it. Sign-ups: they offer one-week camps, with exception of Drama Camp, which is 2 weeks. Age range: The Oakland site has an age range of 5-8 year olds, and a small group size of 20-27 campers for more intimate feel. The group is split by age for some activities as well and the day is structured, so they have focus and are attended to by staff. They also have a few youth leaders on site each session, which are 9-15, and they provide extra attention to younger campers. Cost: The Directors are former local teachers, and run their own local business. I notice they have worked to keep their fees low and if you compare with similar programs, I think you will notice this. Happy camper

Monkey Business Camp is great! We have experience of several bay area camps--Monkey Business has the best directors, the best staff and the best program. The staff is fun, kind, mature and thoughtful. The Directors are available, friendly, kind and very wise. They know all kinds of kids, and how to supervise and lead kids well. They know how to help kids' strengths shine and how to accommodate or work on challenges. These folks are tops!

Looking for a fun summer camp for your 5-10 year olds? Conveniently located at 2 sites, Berkeley's Tilden Park and Oakland's Roberts Park, Monkey Business is a wonderful camp that my daughters have enjoyed for years. My 11 year old once said ''It's like recess all day''. The directors, Stacy and Heather and their well trained staff provide a fun environment for kids to be outdoors, participate in activities and make friends. The camp is very organized and they have an up to date website with more information. www.monkeybusinesscamp.com

We also recommend their Girls On the Go camp ...

Monkey Business Camp operates terrific programs for kids 5 and up. Both of my children have had excellent experiences there, learned interesting things and felt welcomed and appreciated. Monkey Business is safe and well-run. The directors are accessible, hard-working, perceptive, intelligent and genuinely interested in kids. We have tried several camps in the East Bay. Monkey Business has the most mature and thoughtful counselors by far. kaval

I would like to recommend Monkey Business Summer Camp as having a great program and terrific staff. We have two children (ages 6 and 9) and have tried several summer camps. Monkey Business stands out dramatically as the best program we have found. Monkey Business has the most mature and compassionate counselors. They understand kids, can set appropriate limits on behavior and make kids feel really welcomed, seen and understood. The Directors are accessible, personable and well- informed. These are great people. Jim

I have sent my children to Monkey Business Camp for the last few years. I like this camp for them because it is about just plain fun. I have gone by the camp a few hours into the day and see children doing different things based on their interests: some playing soccer or luna stix, some drawing or doing a craft, some playing on the grass or the playground equipment.

I find the counselors to be sensitive and well-trained; my children have made a few friends and seem to be comfortable in the group setting. Last summer, during the session themed ''drama camp'' my boys were both anxious re the possibility of performing, and the counselors were happy to include them in the way they were comfortable.

I asked my kids to describe the camp: ''not boring'' ''get to play most of the day'' ''dodgeball, soccer, baseball--all kinds of sports'' ''work in a journal'' ''tons of hulahoops'' I also like that it is a local family business. My older son first went when they were starting the camp. And I like to see how much it has grown in these last few years. Their website monkeybusinesscamp.com has lots of info about the camp and staff. Jennifer

Last year my now 6 year old had her first summer camp experience and we are so grateful to have found Monkey Business Camp. Each 2 week session has a different theme and all sessions include singing, games, nature walks etc... As a parent and an educator I really focussed in on the counselors, many of which were college grad students who were not only loving and tuned into the kids but were also very bright. Stacey and Heather, the two founding members of the camp, have had extensive experience as educators themselves. My daughter and our 9 year old friend (older kids are in a different part of Tilden Park) enjoyed the camp immensel y. In response to the parent of a 12 year old looking for a new camp experience, Monkey Business has a Girls On The Go program for girls ages 10+. You really can't go wrong with Monkey Business and they also have programs throughout the year that give parents a break and kids an opportunity to see each other again. mallorie

Hello, My twelve year old has just announced that she doesn't want to attend the eight- week camp that she has been going to for the past four summers any more. I told her that that was fine, but that we had to find something else regular -- the main problem being that I work all day. I've checked the archive for summer camps, but most of the entries for girls her age are fairly old. I'm looking for suggestions for day or overnight summer camps for pre teens. She is very academic and loves math, science, and reading, though likely wouldn't want to go to summer school; is physical and enjoys the outdoors, though has never really enjoyed team sports. The camp she has been attending is a drama camp; she has loved it, but most of her friends are leaving this year as well. I think though, that she would be open to trying something else in the performing arts. Please help. Thanks! anon.

Also recommended: Bar 717 Ranch, Girls on the Go, Stage Door Conservatory

Re: Full-day winter break camps?

Monkey Business Camp has 5 full days of camp during Winter 
Break, hosting five days of theme-oriented, 
adventure-filled, seasonally-spiced fun! 
Theme Days: Monday, December 22, TIE DYE DAY! 
            Tuesday, December 23, CARNIVAL DAY!
            Monday, December 29, FIESTA DAY! 
            Tuesday, December 30, TIME TRAVEL DAY!
            Friday, January 2, FIELD TRIP DAY! 
.Ages: 5-9 years; Junior CITs 10-11 years, CITs 12+  
.Camp Hours: 9:00am-3:30pm 
             (extended care from 8am-9am,3:30-6:00pm)
.Fees:       Registration is done on a per diem basis. 
             $52 per day for one child
     2nd Sibling Sliding Scale: $52-$26.  
     Junior CITs pay regular camper fees, 
             CITs receive a 40% discount.
    Extended Care offered from:
    8-9 am ($6 in advance register by Dec. 10; $8 drop-in) 
    and 3:30-6 pm ($13 per day in advance register by Dec. 
    10; $18 per day drop-in). 

Re: Building class or camp for 7-year-old
Monkey Business Camp has a summer carpentry session, in both Oakland and Berkeley hills regional parks. They also havea winter break session, but don't know if it includes carpentry, I think it's more general. WWW.monkeybusiness. com. Kate

Re: Any Summer Programs end of August?
Try Monkey Business summer camp. They are wonderfull. I don't know how old your child is, but they have a program for little ones 5+ and girls on the go 9+.They have a web page: http://www.monkeybusinesscamp.com Valeria

Monkey Business summer camp in Tilden Park is a wonderfully inventive camp for children from kindergarten to age 11, boys and girls. Teachers Stacy Raye and Heather Mitchell were my childrens' preschool teachers, and they are great. You can sign up for one week at a time, from July 12 - Sept. 3, for $160/week for 8:30-3:30 and $7/day for extended care. Call Stacy and Heather and they'll tell you about the weekly themes (from wacky and wierd science and art to sports and new games): 540-5295 x2 until June 20; after June 20 @ 652-6590.
Merry