Website for Monkey Business Camp: www.monkeybusinesscamp.com
See also: Girls On the Go

Re: Camp with structure and sports for active 8 year old
We just had our last day at Monkey Business Camp in Tilden & LOVE LOVE LOVED it. I was worried about sending my daughter to camp where she didn't know anyone. She's had a lot of social anxiety, and sent her to MBC bec. of recommendations of other BPN parents with shy/socially anxious kids. MBC has a really terrific structure and culture that really helps the kids settle in quickly. All the counselors were wonderful (many of them former MBC campers themselves), and the kids (of all ages) seemed really sweet & caring. I didn't hear a single tale of ''so and so wasn't nice to me!'' all summer long. The activity level seemed fairly high, they're outdoors all day long, and they swim at Lake Anza weekly (sometimes 2x a week), they go on hikes, walk to the Nature Center & Little Farm. I highly recommend it to everyone. And it doesn't hurt that it's also incredibly inexpensive if you sign up for the whole summer (much less than if you only sign up for a few weeks). Happy Monkey Business Parent

Re: Summer camps for a shy kindergartner?
my son was like yours after kindergarten -- camp was tough for him socially when it was a free for all, but the highly structured programs didn't feel like a break from the structure of school. We found that Monkey Business was the best fit for him at that age. Although the environment was informal, there was an excellent counselor to camper ratio and the counselors included and engaged all of the campers. It was fun and silly. After first grade, my son was much more capable of handling the free-for-all city-run(more affordable)camps.

Re: Camp for sensitive boy entering kindergarten
My son sounds similar to yours. Wasn't really into typical ''boy'' games (sports, star wars, etc) the summer before entering kindergarten. Very rule oriented. I sent him to Monkey Business Day Camp in Tilden for 3 weeks last year and he LOVED it. He went with a friend, which I think helped, but I'm sure he would have had fun without him. He learned new songs, how to play tag, made crafts, made friends and really blossomed. I actually think it helped to send him there before kindergarten. They have some young counselors who seem to look after the ''little ones''. Definitely mention this stuff to them when you sign up and again when you drop him off on the first day. Good luck! Rachel

Our 12-year-old has been attending Monkey Business Camp at Tilden every summer for 7 years now and I can't say enough wonderful things about Monkey Business. It has just the right balance of structured activity and free play so that the kids are never bored, but also get to just relax, frolic and genuinely enjoy their summer vacation. For example, every session has a theme but it usually only takes up 1 or 2 hours; the rest of the day may consist of journaling, monkey ball and a hike. The only exception might be the drama session, where the kids and counselors really get into the spirit of producing a show for the families. Its a highlight of the summer. Its always a great show, the kids are beaming, and most importantly, they really have fun creating and rehearsing their acts. The directors are 2 of the coolest and kindest ladies I know, they're always accessible and do their best to accommodate whatever special requests you may have. The counselors are youthful, energetic and nurturing. They all really care about the kids having fun while being safe and respectful. Friendships are created that extend past summer camp. As young as 11 campers can become CITs, counselors-in- training, where they take on more responsibility towards the younger campers. This has been tremendously rewarding for our son and I think for all the CITs; its a new responsibility but also a new privilege that they really value. Monkey Business is truly a home away from home for our son and he looks forward to going every summer even more than the previous. For us, there's no better recommendation than that. Teresa

Re: Camp recommendations for 5 year old?
My 5 year old son absolutely loves Monkey Business Camp. He is a high maintenance kid requiring extra attention and support and he always received that extra help at Monkey Business. He needed a play-based type of camp and really thrived and became more creative at MB. Creativity, fun, and respect are all reinforced at MB and I was always impressed by how much individual attention he received. We actually dropped out of Galileo because it was too big and busy and he wasn't getting the kind of support he needed. a Monkey Business fan

Re: Summer Camp for 5-year-old who needs structure
Your kid sounds exactaly like my kid. I sent him to Monkey Business Camp in Tilden Park, recommended to me by a friend who also had a kid with mild special needs issues. They were great! Monkey Business was very reassuring and told me that they discuss any campers who might be special needs ahead of time. My son did great there for 3 weeks, right from the get go. He'll probably go back this summer. Good Luck april

Our daughter attended Monkey Business Day Camp 2 weeks last summer and during Spring Break 2008. We were pretty happy. It was unlike her other camps that were more organized and focused on specific themes (Sarah's Science, Zoo Camp, Crowden Music Camp) and we thought she would enjoy a camp with less structure.

This past summer we enrolled her in 2 weeks of camp at both Tilden and Roberts parks. The first week was at Roberts and we were really disappointed. They didn't have much of a program - art and crafts, but beyond that just spending time on the play structures at each park. For our child, it was basically a babysitting service.

They did not offer swimming at Roberts (although they had advertised that they would be swimming there) and when we asked they told us that they couldn't afford the insurance. The counselors even complained about the camp to me. Some of the equipment so worn that it was rendered unusable.

These are great parks and they could have taken some wonderful walks/hikes but that never materialized. I dreaded sending our daughter to the second week of camp. At Tilden, some of the counselors were not friendly to us, were unkempt (I mean these folks needed to bathe), and were crude (swearing and using coarse language). I had second thoughts about leaving our daughter in their care and wonder now why I did when I reflect on the experience. We didn't really have an alternative though. Needless to say, we will not return to MB. I don't know what happened but it wasn't working for us. Farewell to MB

Re: Berkeley YMCA Camp for rising kindergartener

Re: End of Summer Summer Camp?
We have found that Monkey Business Camp (MBC) at Tilden Park offers sessions all the way up thru the end of the summer/up to Labor Day (check their website for exact dates). This schedule accommodates our EBIS schedule and the very last week of summer, they offer a pay by the day option which is nice if you want to take a long weekend before school starts.

The camp location is near the little farm in Tilden and is a wonderful serene setting for the kids (and nice when you pick them up too!). The programs include arts and crafts, sports, science and drama - check the website for the weekly themes. This is my daughter's favorite camp and we have been going here since she was in kindergarten (she is now a 3rd grader). Karen

Re: April vacation programs for 6 y.o. 1/2 or full day?
I highly recommend Monkey Business camp for the April 6-10 break. A link to their website is posted below. This is a very fun camp with warm counselors and lots of attention to each individual child. My 5 year old son enjoyed it so much, he wanted to go an extra day. We tend to be overscheduled with classes so he had so much fun playing and learnign how to make friends in a supportive atmosphere. http://www.monkeybusinesscamp.com/spring.htm
returning to MB

Re: Summer Camp for 8 year old boy
My eight year old has two great recommendations. Monkey Business Camp has been a favorite of his and his big sister for years. It's extremely well-run and small enough to feel personal. All the counselors are ''nice, friendly and helpful.'' Many of them, like my daughter, started out as campers and remain part of the Monkey Business community as they grow up. They have a variety of activities to keep things interesting, but the kids get enough relaxed time to make it truly feel like summer (which is important to me). Donna

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: 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

Re: Winter Break Camp
I just got an announcement for a great winter break camp/childcare program - I know the owners/teachers and they are wonderful. Two former Step One School teachers who now operate the "Monkey Business" summer camp in Tilden. Renee

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