Monkey Business Camp: Age 11+ Youth Leadership Winter, Feb and Spring Camp
At Monkey Business Camp, the youth leader program creates a relaxed, enjoyable, and low-pressure environment for developing new skills. Youth leaders engage in all aspects of the weekly activities, collaborating with different staff members to learn a range of techniques. Our camp’s success is built on the strong relationships with families and dedicated staff, and we invite you to be part of this special community. Many of our current staff members began their journey as youth leaders, consistently attending camp over multiple summers and school vacations. They often describe the experience as a unique opportunity for personal growth, and campers look up to them as role models, aspiring to become youth leaders themselves.
Being a youth leader also enhances your teenager's extracurricular profile, and some parents have even sought to hire them for babysitting beyond the camp. We’re happy to provide letters of recommendation upon request, which can support applications for high school, future jobs, or college admissions.
DATES of upcoming programs, currently with youth leader space openings (there are limited numbers for each camp):
Winter Week 1: December 23 & 24 and/or December 26-27
Winter Week 2: December 30 & 31 and January 2 & 3
February Camp 2025 (4 days): Tuesday-Friday, February 18-21
Spring Camp 2025 (5 days): March 31-April 4
FYI, we run a Thanksgiving Week Camp, but FULL for youth leaders, but we do have a few spaces for campers, ages 5-10)
Location: Berkwood Hedge School, near Downtown Berkeley
Fees: CITs ages 11+ pay the same fees as campers; Older CITs (ages 13+) can request discounted fees; JCs ages 14+ pay about 25% of the normal fees, so there is a progression, in terms of paying less, and then hopefully stepping into a paying staff position, at age 16 or later.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHO THE PROGRAM WORKS WELL FOR: View More on our Youth Leader Page.
READY TO GO: Fill out the New Youth Leader Interest Survey or Return Youth Leader Interest Survey.
Parent Review: "We are so grateful for the experience that Monkey Business Camp provided this summer. Our son had a wonderful time in Tilden: making new friends, playing so many games, and exploring the wilderness. He came home each day happy and full of exciting stories to share. The connections and experiences he had at camp brought out the best in him."
Monkey Business is a traditional day camp offering a variety of activities, including field games, sports, arts and crafts, cooking projects, music, board games, and storytelling. Building a sense of community is central to our philosophy. We are a small, local business based in Berkeley, proudly operating since 1998 and celebrating our 26th anniversary.