website: http://www.peacecamp.com/

Re: Anyone know Dimond or Montclair Rec Center camps?
I would like to recommend Peace Camp to you for your now 6 and 7 year old. It has a really small group with only 20-25 kids. They don't let the kids fight ('cause it's Peace Camp) and they swim every afternoon. Their counselors are great and they don't lose track of the kids. The cost is only $200. for the week, full time 8:30 Am to 5:30 pm. The only problem is that the camp is only running for one week in Berkeley this year. You can find more info on their website: www.peacecamp.com Peace Camp fan

Peace Camp has offered summer day camp programs for the past 22 years in Berkeley. It is a SMALL camp and we are in danger of closing. Should we even offer it at all this summer? We have one week scheduled, and the cost is $200 for the week. The cost includes a full day: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, with singing and peace art in the morning and swimming every afternoon. Is this cost too high for parents? We are a calm and relaxed place for children to enjoy being children, but do parents want more academic programs? There are now many camps for parents to choose from, are we too small to be noticed? Perhaps families just don't know about our program. Where do parents look for programs? What are your suggestions? Would love your feedback, thanks much! Mary

I personally think we have way too many academic summer camps, especially here in the East Bay. Good old fashion camps with singing, swimming and making art is not so common anymore. There is an interest out there, it's just a matter of tapping into the right audience and presenting yourselves as a ''haven'' or ''answer'' to what they've been looking for all along, And by the way, $200 is a very good price. I wish we could go this summer. Best of luck to you. -Anon

P.S. I forgot to mention that the video you have on your camp website is not compatible with my computer. So I was unable to watch it. For outreach you need to use a format that works on on all computers. Most websites these days use a format for their videos that everyone can watch. Again, reinvigorate and update your website to bring in new interest. The Berkeley area has a high population of families and there are a ton of camps in this area. This area is known for having almost way too many choices. Perhaps your camp tends to get lost in the noise. Bring out some distinction to bring new attention to it. And again, reach out to your faithful followers in this area. They might be able to help. Anon

My children have been going to a really wonderful day camp for the past few years. My 15 year old started when she was four years old and for the past 2 years has been a Counselor in Training (CIT).

They love it and I do too. The camp is small with great counselors. The kids get lots of individual attention. They do art projects, play qames, sing, swim every afternoon and go on filed trips. The price is really great too, only $200 for an entire week, 9 hours a day. I'm telling you about this camp because they haven't been advertising enough and need more registrations in order to keep going. Please, check out Peace Camp at peacecamp.com. '' Contact Mary she is a lovely warm person and she will give you more info. Maria

My daughter's very interested in Peace Camp (held at the Unitarian Fellowship). Anybody have any experiences to report? Judy

Something that impressed me last year was when my daughter was in one of her more outrageous moods and blatantly disobeyed and dissed Mary Miche, the camp director. Mary, a normally even-tempered woman, was quite angry, and admitted to me later that she had wanted to give Margaret a good smack. (I recognized this feeling....) Instead of doing so, she let her temper cool and then had a talk with Margaret, another counselor, and an advocate (chosen by my kid). Everyone calmed down and I was informed later that Margaret would be eligible to become a counselor-in-training the next summer. I wish all grown-ups could be this mature about sorting out their resentments. Melanie