Camp Blue at UC Berkeley

Yep, sure did, last summer. I keep detailed notes of all my kids' summer camp experiences; here's the Blue Camp record (YMMV):

Cal Blue Camp. 2021. Approx $450 for 2 week session, 9-4. Disorganized pre-camp communication, so worrying as the camp approached and they couldn’t/wouldn’t tell parents which section your child would be assigned to (there is a menu of interest groups within the large age groups). Luckily in practice it was okay - our child was signed up for “Games & Science”, well Science never materialized but he enjoyed the MTG, ping pong, frisbee, archery; did NOT like soccer “games” and we ended up complaining once when the instructor made them scrimmage. They move around a lot and stay busy. Child was annoyed on penultimate day when he found out some other sections had chess, which was not offered to “Games & Science” ??.  Also the camp changed location on campus last minute, from RSF (which I liked for being indoors, as well as closer to home) to Clark Kerr. He got sunburned.

Hi there...we sent our 9 years old to blue camp last year, and I will be sending her again, but not for the whole summer. The cost is very reasonable for 2 weeks package. She was busy, and she had some fun. The only issue that we faced was in the beginning when she was enrolled for 1 week only (Albany and Berkeley have different school calendar, so she was in school in 1st week). She was enrolled in arts camp, but because she was in 1 week camp, there was actually no program for that. Program is only applicable to 2 weeks camp package. Therefore, she was doing a lot of door excercise that she didn't like Ex: football. She kept getting hit, and we had heat wave the first 2 or 3 weeks, and she told me someone passed out (I forgot if it was a participant or conselour), but they did try to make it better by doing water balloon war activities which she loved. The location is kinda far for us, so husband complaint a bit, but drop off and pick up are quite organized and we got used to it. Overall, my kid had some fun, she was outdoor and after covid restriction, she could use all the sun that she got, she got minor sunburn. Covid precatious was ok..they had to wear mask, but it was outdoor, so I feel ok about it.      

My 7/8 year old did Blue camp last summer.

Pros - lots of fun activities, big variety, some truly great counselors, affordable, reliable (has enough staff that camp won't close due to a single person being ill), lots of outdoor time, nice campus

Cons - horrible pickup plan - I would only recommend this camp if you are willing to choose "leave on own" meaning your child walks unsupervised to Dwight way and waits for you there on the street without any adult.  If you want supervised pickup the wait time is 30-60 mins in the pickup line.  Not a great plan to support girls in the 7/8 year old group - my daughter was one of 2 girls with 10 boys in one session and had issues with the other campers and a CIT saying girls aren't good at sports etc.  The camp did address these problems as they came up but they need to be more proactive.  In the 9/10 group they do have a girls only program.  The free included swimming was cancelled and they then offered paid swimming lessons during camp for an additional fee with very limited spots.  So my kids could see the kids who were lucky enough to get these spots swimming while they were sweating and running around. 

Even though the list of cons is long my daughter does want to go back now that girls only is offered - they really do have great activities.  We won't be sending my younger daughter to the 7/8 program since they don't offer girls only and her sister had so many issues.  My daughter is also interested in their skateboarding camp but it is an all male staff and mostly male kids - I hope Cal will be more proactive about supporting girls in sports in the future.

My son attended last year as a rising 4th grader and liked it. I think it's a good fit for a kid who is fairly outgoing and likes being active all day. We signed up for the all sports track and my son got to try many new sports he'd never tried before like archery & lacrosse. The counselors were very good and much more mature that some other camps we've tried. They are skilled  in conflict resolution and communication with parents was good. It's probably most fun if your child can attend with a friend. Pick up and drop off is well organized and is set up so parents can drive thru without having to park.