School Break Camps

• A camp for kids to get swept up in the joy of playing, on their own, and with other kids, and with well structured times with specific games and projects led by creative, dynamic staff. We create the space, you send your kids, and magic truly happens.
• 80% of our current staff grew up at camp, so your children can be part of an ongoing community
• Unplugged all day and primarily outdoors
• Reliable, with over 25 years of experience
• Locally started and run, woman and LGBTQIA+ owned, family business.
• *Gold winner in Parent’s Press Best of Camps-Holiday and Vacation Camp

“Monkey Business Camp put kids and staff first. They center their values and set families’ expectations accordingly. Well it was day 3 of a 3 day weekend that reminded me I am not equipped anymore to entertain kids for an entire week off. All they want to do is stare at screens. Thankful for you and Monkey Business. Put it all together and our kid had great fun in a safe space. ”

DATES & CURRENT SPACE AVAILABILITY FOR CAMPERS – for youth leaders, go to bottom of the page

Tentative Dates for 2025-2026 school year
Autumn Camp 2025 (3 days): Monday-Wednesday, Nov 24-26 (three days)
Winter Camp 2025: Monday-Tuesday, December 22 & 23 (two days) and/or Monday-Wednesday, Dec 29-31 (three days)
February Camp 2026 (4 days): Tuesday-Friday, February 17-20 (four days)
Spring Camp 2026 (5 days): Monday-Friday, March 30-April 3 (five days)

Other Details:

• Spaces available, until listed as full.  
• If you would like less than the full week of camp, check in the week before camp starts, if we are not full. We have been filling most camps in advance.

“Our daughter had an amazing time at camp. She was excited to go every morning and excited to tell us all the cool things she did at the end of the day. Your staff is the best of the best. Thank you!!”

   Camper Hours: 8:30-4:30

• Camper Drop-off window: 8:30-9:00
• Camper Pick-up window: 4:10- 4:30
• Additional alternate times that can be used for either drop-off or pick-up-regular or random: 10:15, 1:30, or 3:30. It is not possible to drop off or pick up at any time, due to our schedule & staff supervision requirements.

Take our extended care survey, if you are interested in hours outside of the 8:30-4:30 period, as we are considering for 2026 season.  For the upcoming camps, we hope that those of you that work earlier or later can coordinate with friends or family to share the load, e.g. taking turns to drop off 1-2 other kids or pick up and making it so you can work a longer day. If not, we do apologize.

   Youth Leader Hours: 8:25-4:35

• Drop-off on time each day, and stay through entire day, helping until all campers go home.  At times, they will be ready to go at 4:30pm.
• They have a half hour break mid-day.

“Both my kids absolutely love Monkey Business! They’ve done the summer camp before but this was our first time trying a school break camp and it was a huge hit. They’re very excited to return next month!”

LOCATION
Berkwood Hedge School: 1809 Bancroft Way, Berkeley

We have been hosting camps at this wonderful school since 2004, and its location in Downtown Berkeley makes it accessible from many local cities.  With a large yard with areas to play field games and basketball, and another with a sand box, swings and a climbing structure, and beautiful indoor classrooms. We also set up a lot of outdoor tables for drawing and board games. Adding to our usual curriculum, we may take neighborhood walks and visit Washington School park across the street, and for older kids, visit Ohlone’s awesome climbing structures and grassy fields.

“Monkey Business is a rare find, especially in these days of ‘early specialization’ type camps. Relaxed and fun, creative and innovative while still harkening back to simpler times. The emphasis on knowing and appreciating each child was felt.”

AGES & GROUP SIZE
Ages: Campers, Ages 5.25-10, with Youth Leaders, Ages 11+
Exceptions to ages-we ask parents to decide after reading below:
–Ages 5-5.25 (between 5 yrs to 5 yrs 3 months by time of camp)
–Ages 11 joining as camper, not youth leader

Group Size: There will be maximum of about 25 in each group, including campers, youth leaders and staff.

How many Groups: Usually 2, sometimes 3, split into age groups

Notes about Groups:

• With an approximately 1:9 camper: staff ratio, kids need to overall follow directions and be kind to other campers.  We have about 10 transitions in our day, some with more free-play options, and others with needing to be focus on a particular activity: group times, snack and lunch, and walks.  Read more on behavioral policy below.
• We will assign kids to groups two weeks before camp, based on preferences about age groups, friends and siblings, etc shared during enrollment.

ACTIVITIES
We have been offering camps for kids successfully for over 25 years, and will offer similar programming, with daily art (we have special guests come into share with us), nature exploration, field games and ball play, board games, community building, and weekly specials.  We will also be doing food projects once a session at most camps. The school developed outdoor spaces with overhangs, for many types of weather, so we have many outside options.

“Social interaction, and warm, loving fun.”

SPECIAL NEEDS & BEHAVIORAL POLICY
Please visit this page to read more about our program and how it might or might not fit for your child with special needs and our behavioral policy. We aim to be able to serve lots of different children, but at times, if your child may need more attention to help them participate, and to do so safely, in activities, or to shift from one transition to the next, it can become unsustainable.

“At MBC in particular, while on the staff team, I have been able to create deep, meaningful, and personal connections with the kiddos that span multiple sessions/years– which is super special and something that I hope to continue to develop this time around.”

FEES (Payment Plans & Limited Financial Aid)
Our basic day is 8 hours. To support inclusivity, we offer 3 fee tiers. All levels support camp and when you pay higher levels, if able, this gives extra support for diverse programming, our incredible staff, and our scholarship fund which gives out over $25,000 each year, some years up to $50,000. If you are registering siblings, the lower cost option is possible. We do not track tier choices, please feel good about the choice you make at time of registration.

SPRING CAMP–need to miss one day and know in advance?  Register for camp, then by 10 days before camp starts, e-mail the office at office@monkeybusinesscamp.com to tell them what day you need to miss and we will credit your account with $100 to use for a future camp.

Camper & Counselor in Training (CIT) Fees- You Choose a Tier-see info above 8 hour basic day.
Sliding Scale Tiers	One Week (Spring Camp)	4 Day Session (Feb Camp)	3-Day Session (Autumn Camp)	2-Day Session (Winter Camp)
Base	$648	$518	$388	$269
Mid	$748	$598	$448	$310
High	$798	$638	$478	$330

Junior Counselor (JC) and Older CIT Fees-You Choose a Tier When Registering*
Sliding Scale Tiers	One Week	4 Day Session (Feb Camp and Winter Wk 2)	3-Day Session	2-Day Session
Base	$139	$119	$99	$79
Mid	$209	$159	$137	$99
High	$309	$209	$189	$109

*Older CITs (usually age 13+) if request on YL interest survey and receive, get lowest tier of Mid-tier level

Additional Details:

• Payment Plan: pay over a period of months for no extra fee.
• Financial Aid Application: Apply for 20-75% discount off of fees when still available.

“Well, on day 3 of a 3 day weekend, I realize what a challenge it is to entertain kids for an entire week off. All they want to do is stare at screens. Thankful for Monkey Business.”

LOGISTICS
Campers bring their own lunch and an additional 2 snacks (morning, afternoon), water bottle and sunscreen if they use.

Nuts and nut butters-for most groups, default will be that these are okay to pack for snacks, lunches.  We have folks with allergies, but have found for most part, over past two years we shifted to allowing, usually they are okay if others eat.  We can and will make groups nut free as needed, and we will communicate before camp in that case.

STAFF
Our staff from diverse backgrounds are nurturing, creative and enthusiastic. They are hired to guide and enrich our programs and foster friendship among campers. All children, returning and new campers alike, are actively welcomed.

Once our team is more clear, Click here to see bios and photos of some of the staff you can expect to see and when. We often have multi-lingual staff!
SPRING CAMP STAFF TEAM: SB group (ages 5-7): Freesia, Michelle and Asher, and MC Group (ages 7-10): Zach, Patrick, Franny

“Thank you for offering such a high quality camp and for the very personal feeling of Monkey Business.”

 

YOUTH LEADERS: Ages 11-17

1st steps to join:
1) Read over the youth leadership overview page.
2) check to see if there is availability- see below.
3) please fill out a survey or co-fill out with your child to share more about why interested in joining

New Youth Leader Interest Survey (will activate link when 2025-2026 programs are announced)

Return Youth Leader Interest Survey– this one will take a few minutes, mostly asks about dates (will activate link when 2025-2026 programs are announced)

Pre-Camp Orientation: There will be some reading and a survey to submit for those who did not attended Summer 2025.

Current Availability:
All FULL

“Being a youth leader helps me put my leadership qualities to good use, and I have a great time hanging out with the campers.”