We are HUGE fans of Monkey Business Camp (MBC) and are excited to share our enthusiasm with the Yelp community here. Our daughter (now age 6) started attending this year, and our son (now age 12) started attending when he was 6. For the past 2 years, he has not attended as a "Camper", but as a "Counselor-in-Training" (CIT)... a sort of junior internship role that MBC has created to train select children who are fans of the program and who demonstrate aptitude for serving as a Counselor (formal, paid role) at some point in the future. For him, this role has allowed him to develop and hone his leadership skills (drawing heavily on skills he developed in scouting), and he loves serving as a mentor to the younger kids who are the Campers. He exudes pride and commitment to the role, and that makes us as parents proud as well. For our daughter, she is completely immersed in the curriculum and talks about it over dinner each night when she returns. For both kids, they are genuinely excited to get out the door in the morning and get to camp... it is an organic kind of excitement... not anything that we push. This is the best kind of inspiration and enthusiasm. And finally, for us as parents, we love how MBC immerses the Campers, the CITs, and their own staff members in the middle of nature (for the summer sessions) and in a school campus setting (for the winter sessions), completely without access to electronic devices. "Device detox" is what we call it, and MBC's culture and curriculum are so effective that the kids don't even seem to miss the devices. I can scarcely believe the words I am writing here, but this is a true statement. Finally, we must commend the MBC staff... from the founder all the way down to the senior and junior leaders... for their intuitive ability to excite and inspire children with a captivating, engaging curriculum that nourishes the mind and body. MBC is everything a camp should be. This is why it is a Berkeley/East Bay institution for childcare and early childhood development. If any of what I've written here aligns with your own philosophy, then don't hesitate... enroll your child(ren) in MBC. It will make a lasting and positive impact on everyone in your family! read more

My kids love it so much that they're already planning their futures as camp counselors!

My child attended Monkey Business camp for one week this summer and the only thing I have to complain about is that I didn't send him for additional weeks! My child came home oozing creativity, stories, skills, and relaxed (which is rare outcome for a 1st grader). Monkey Business will be on our permanent camp rotation from now on. The counselors (extra shout out to Patrick!) are incredibly caring, the process is smooth, and even having access to a camp that provides a safe, enriching environment in a place like Tilden Park is something I'm super grateful for. 10/10! read more

10/10 camp experience for first time camper and their family! This was our first summer having to sign up for camps with our rising 1st grader and Monkey Business blew us all away. Our kid LOVED their time at camp and her counselors. As parents, we loved how happy our child was during this experience and how well the camp was run. Can't wait to come back next summer! read more

My son did his first three-week session at Monkey Business in Tilden Park in July and it was his favorite camp all summer. What really set Monkey Business apart from the others (so far as I could tell as the parent) was the quality and engagement of the staff/counselors. They had such great energy and were excited to play with the kids. I'd be shocked if he doesn't spend at least three weeks again there next summer! read more

We love Monkey Business Camp! This was our first summer with camps after Kindergarten and our daughter had an incredible time at Monkey Business--she made new friends, loved her counselors, learned new things, explored and engaged in imaginative/creative play all day, and truly felt at home. The camp creates a special, magical space where the kids can be authentically themselves and create special bonds with their group and Tilden. We wish we'd signed her up for the whole summer at Monkey Business, but now we know for next summer! read more

Monkey Business has become a can't-miss annual tradition for my two kids, who have attended the camp every summer for the past 6 years (and once during winter break). Both started as campers. For the past 3 years, my older child has been a CIT. A couple of years ago, they got in the car at the end of the day, sun kissed and happy as can be, and explained that Monkey Business is like a little world unto itself. No screens, excellent support and community building, lots of fun songs and games, and always, always great vibes. The CIT experience for my older child has been just right in terms of the balance between responsibility and fun. In our experience, A+ summer camp! read more

My kids loved being here from their first summer onward. Each year they beg for more weeks at camp, want to go on the holiday breaks from school, and hope to be CITs soon. My son who typically can be more reserved, feels safe to come out of his shell here and make friends, play games, and learn new arts and crafts. My daughter finds new friends each summer that she keeps in touch with all year. I love that they get to be in nature all day, climb, go on hikes, get dirty, and learn about plants and animals at Tilden. I feel so lucky someone told us about Monkey Business read more

Yes, my son loved the camp and he was so excited of going every morning!! I don't know what magic thing they did but it definitely worked for my five years old . read more

Heather is an absolute GEM! She went above & beyond in so many ways! Her camp is stellar with an amazing team! Can't recommend this program enough! Sign your kiddo up NOW! Before space runs out! read more

We can't say enough great things about Monkey Business. Our child has attended the summer Tilden program every summer since he was 5 and is now going to be a counselor in training (CIT) this summer. Every summer it is his favorite camp - outdoor fun at its best, with choices of activities and great leadership. Highly recommend! read more

Wonderful camp! This was my kiddo's first time at camp and he has some big feelings sometimes. The staff was wonderful both in advance and real-time. The activities were fun and goofy and clearly picked by people who know and understand kids. Most time is outside and the feel of the camp is spacious, which is nice because some camps are more hectic or achievement-oriented. We wanted him to feel calm and happy and supported, and he seemed to! We will definitely be back. read more

We have been sending our children to camp here for years and we all love it (kids and adults)!!! The summer camp is all in nature- the kids come home so well nourished (emotionally) and calm. The staff is so sweet and fun!!! Both my children were very shy and reserved but they made connections and really look forward to going. And the founders/directors are very thoughtful with personalized care for each child. We found this online and took a chance in 2019 and we are sooooo happy we did. My oldest just moved up from camper to youth leader and she can continue to grow and play in this wonderful environment- I love that this camp supports multiple ages. I would give it 10 stars if I could!!! read more

Monkey Business Camp is fantastic! Our family has attended for the last 5+ years, and my three kids love it so much. It's just a beautiful time in nature with really warm and experienced teachers. It's a super loving, welcoming environment including for kids who may face social or other anxieties -- the teachers are really great at helping kids out, and they foster a very friendly atmosphere amongst all the kids. The activities are fun and engaging -- the kids can do art projects, hikes, write stories & do other creative stuff. There's a great balance of organized group activities as well as choice time where the kids can gravitate towards their favorite activities. One of my kids loves really active sports play, and two tend more towards quieter activities like art, reading, writing -- they all get the chance to do all of it, but they can also choose to spend more time in their particular areas of interest or based on how energetic they're feeling that day. Last summer, one of my kids spent several days working on a shared writing project with a couple other kids where they alternated writing lines - she was so enthusiastic about it. There are lots of hikes and opportunities to explore nature, as well as Little Farm and nearby attractions. My kids never want to come home! My oldest gets to be a counselor-in-training this summer and she is so excited -- she's been talking about wanting to do that ever since her first summer at Monkey Business Camp when she was about 5 years old! The teachers/counselors really set Monkey Business apart from other camps, in my family's experience. I always feel completely confident that my kids are in wonderful care all day long. The camp staff and owners are all very communicative, friendly, and helpful. It's been an excellent experience throughout for us. I highly recommend Monkey Business anytime friends are looking for camps, and we intend to keep sending our kids each summer. read more

My son spent all of summer 2022 at Monkey Business - 9 weeks total. Due to some family circumstances we wanted a stable and supportive environment for him and decided to send him to Monkey Business - it was his first time there. He LOVED it. He felt at home, loved his counselors, made new friends, and didn't once complain about being bored. In fact, now he doesn't want to go to any other camp! Tilden park is a great setting for the summer, but winter and spring camps held at a private school in Berkeley are fun too. What really sets this camp apart is the quality of the counselors - many of them have been there a long time. There is emphasis on being respectful and inclusive while having a great time. There's dance, music, silly games, crafts, story time, and much more. We're looking forward to another year at Monkey Business! read more

Fantastic camp. My daughter loved it. Counselors were engaged, fun and thoughtful. We also love the CIT program with younger counselors. Highly recommend! read more

"Every summer you guys went to camp together. I was jealous. Felt like he was the summer me." George Costanza, Seinfeld Review is for a off-shoot camp: Girls on the Go! Da Scene: 10 yr. old girl needs something to do in between vacations and camping trips this summer, while her parents toil away at their 9-5 careers. Enter "Girls on the Go!" summer camps in Berkeley and Oakland. Da Service: Drop your kiddo off in the am at a local park for a day full activities from cheese tasting to martial arts, from A's or Giants games to swimming at the community pool or checking out the many bay area museums. Pick up a tired kiddo at he same park. Great communications, good variety of activities, super convenient and a happy kiddo to boot! read more

My almost 6 year old just went to the winter break monkey business camp she LOVED it! Lots of creative activities and fun games. She's making art @ home and singing camp songs. Looking forward to spring break and summer camp. The staff were energized and knew my daughter by name. It felt good leaving her in a caring and sweet environment. I highly recommend Monkey Business Camps!! read more

My son absolutely loved summer camp! He spent several weeks at Tilden Park disconnected from electronics and had zero complaints about it. He made new friends and learned to appreciate being outdoors. The staff at Monkey Business has been great! He is so excited to go back next school break and wants to be a CIT (counselor in training) once he's old enough. I'm so happy we found this summer camp. Monkey Business Camp is a ten out of ten! read more

My son loves Monkey Business! It is a joy-filled camp in the beautiful outdoors (Tilden park) with wonderful counselors and a thoughtful program. They also have a wonderful junior counselor program for slightly older kids. read more

Can't believe this hasn't yet been reviewed. It should definitely be in a Best of Berkeley. As a teacher, I don't get paid during the summer, unless I opt to reduce my already minuscule paycheck to even less in order to spread it out over 12 months instead of 9. So I look for summer work, and this year I found Monkey Business. I can't yet say what it would be like to be here as a camper, because my son has never been, but I am awestruck by the care these people take to make sure their employees are prepared to work with children. You must have your first aid & CPR up to date, natch, which means 2 days of all-day class. Then you have a leadership workshop, so that you can handle not only children, but also the younger counselors & CIT's - all day, again. After that come 3 full days, 9 hours each, of training in non-violent communication, games & songs, bias awareness, logistics, and more, and finally a day on site to scope out potential problems and general setup. The most remarkable part of this is that you are paid full salary for all of this training. The equipment is top notch, every box for every art project clearly labeled with all ingredients for the task and clear instructions inside. There are clipboards, curriculum sheets, plenty of writing implements, games, balls, everything is pristine and conscious. The women who began the camp love, love, LOVE the kids, and are all about spreading love, environmental consciousness, and respect into the community. I am absolutely honored to be a part of this particular group, with counselors and site directors who are every bit as evolved and wonderful as the founders. If you haven't sent your child to Monkey Business Summer Camp before, check it out! read more

After reading Kimberly's review, I had to put in my stars for this camp as well. While I didn't send my daughter to the "Monkey Business" side of the camp, I sent her to their off-shoot called "Girls On The Go" for girls only age 9-12. If we weren't living in Danville, my daughter would be going to GOTG this summer. She went last summer and loved it. This camp is in 2 week sessions. They meet in a park, do activities, games and regular camp stuff (songs, cheers, bonding things, etc), and then every single day, they go on a field trip of sorts via foot, bus, BART, etc. The field trips vary, but the session my daughter went to she toured Scharfenberger(sp?), CAL, they saw a play in WC, they went to ZUEM, and a baseball game along with a few other places. This is a camp that empowers girls. This camp ROCKS and thanks again Kimberly for reminding me that if you are lucky, great teachers sometimes also 'moonlight' at great camps which allows for an even better experience. read more

This camp is absolutely amazing! My son has been attending for six years. For the past two of those years he has been a couselor in training. They offer a wide variety of choices for activities. The kids can choose what they want to do and are not pressured to do anything they don't like (except maybe wear sunscreen!). Being outdoors all day is a fantastic way to spend a summer. I often arrive early just to soak in some of the Tilden Park peacefulness. As a Counselor In Training (CIT) my son is learing some valuable leadership skills. It has helped him learn about working with younger children and skills such as conflict resolution. He takes pride in having a "summer job". It is a great first step in responsibility for a pre-teen. The staff has been great every year. They plan so many fun activities, sing songs, tell stories and just make the kids feel loved. I have always felt comfortable leaving my son with them even when he was just seven years old. It is a very safe environment and the staff is trained to handle emergencies--big and small ones. I can't say enough about Monkey Business, the staff and the founders. read more

I am writing this review as the mother of two boys who have been Counselors in Training (CITs) and Junior Counselors (JC) at Monkey Business for the past two years. These have been the best two summer camp experiences they have ever had - I have so many good things to say that it's hard to summarize it all! My sons (ages 12 & 15 the first year and ages 13 & 16 the second year) gained a tremendous amount of leadership experiences working as CIT/JC at Monkey Business and had a wonderful time doing it. They spent their days with the younger campers, fully engaged in all the activities, which included field sports, arts and crafts, singing, short hikes, trips to the nearby zoo, and swim days at Lake Anza. The activities at Monkey Business are so well organized and at the same time they give the campers a lot of freedom. I loved watching the kids run around the field at Tilden Park - it is such a beautiful, open, natural setting for the camp. The counselors (the paid staff who supervise the camp and manage the JC& CITs) are top notch. They are communicative, engaging, playful, supportive, enthusiastic and all around wonderful. They gave my boys great instruction about how to help the younger children, how to supervise and lead, and how to set up the crafts and activities. I honestly feel that my kids will be able to put these counselor in training experiences on their resumes since they have learned so many useful skills. So whether you are considering the camp for your younger children to be campers, or your older children to be counselors in training, I highly recommend Monkey Business all the way around. read more

We love Monkey Business Camp - summer or winter, short term or long term. I can't say enough good about this organization. Our son has been going since he was 2.5 years old to different locations. It's our go to when we need coverage. The staff is super professional, loving and attentive. My kid loves the youth counselors as well. I pick him up happy and I know he had a great day. read more

Monkey Business Camp has been an amazing blessing in my family's life. My 10yo daughter has attended MBC since she was 7, and was the recipient of MBC's Stacy Raye Memorial Scholarship for two years. The SRMS allowed her to attend camp during a very difficult time in my family's life. The hours my daughter spent: hiking trails in beautiful Tilden Park, swimming in Lake Anza, learning to finger knit, tie-dyeing t-shirts, playing pirates, running in the meadow, exploring nature, and singing camp songs were magical hours where she got to just be a kid and have kid sized-problems. While she will always remember the difficulties we faced as a family during those years--I know there will also be happy, sun-filled, MBC-shaped bright spots too! And I am forever grateful!! I also really appreciate that MBC is super organized--starting with their password protected PDFs that: detail exactly how to find the camp location (don't use google maps!), drop-off and pick-up protocols, lists of what to send with your day-camper (and what should be left at home), rainy day plans, reminders that MBC is nut-free, and FAQs. The parent guide is amazingly in depth, but when I had even more questions and I either called or emailed, everyone in the MBC office: Heather, Kira, and Samantha were all wonderful to talk with! Heather the founder of MBC (who I've spoken with the most) has an amazing warmth, openness, respect for nature, and love/respect for children--qualities I've seen reflected in all the staff at MBC. read more

My 5yr old (rising kindergarten) daughter attended Monkey Business camp for 4 consecutive weeks this past summer. She had a great time and I felt good leaving her in beautiful Tilden Park every day. I did some work trade for the camp and I can tell you that they are INCREDIBLY organized. The place is like a giggling, splashing, singing well-oiled machine! You can tell that they have a ton of experience creating a terrific experience for kids, and my daughter loved that there were cool teens and pre-teens as CITs :) read more

The key things I look for in a camp are: 1) Quality of instructors - are they connected with the kids? Are they having fun themselves? 2) Atmosphere/location - is it inspiring and fun? Something different? 3) Content - probably least important to me - it's summer camp after all. Is there enough variety to keep my kid engaged? Not enough to make it feel like school? A variety of crafts/sit-down activities and active/social/sporting stuff? My child (now 6) has gone to Monkey Business for 2 years (since she was 4) for several weeks each Summer. Above all, I have been amazed by the staff, and I'm always happy as we descend into Tilden for a day of good, honest play. read more

I was very excited to learn that this camp takes younger kids so my 4-year-old son could attend the same camp as his 7-year-old sister. Unfortunately, their location changed this year and their marketing materials did not make it clear (to me, anyway) that the younger kids would be in the (depressing) playroom of a church and the attached playground and would only be in Tilden Park for one day. This was a great disappointment as I was looking forward to my son attending his first outdoor camp. Despite the location, my son enjoyed himself, but my 7-year-old was disappointed with the camp. It seems that they started a lot of projects, but finished none. Colored a journal, never wrote in it. Practiced a skit, never performed it. Created a bat, never learned the game that went with it. Their materials say that they mix planned with spontaneous, but it seems like the spontaneous took over and the planned went by the wayside. I like that they spent the entire time outdoors, but Sarah Science does the same thing and with greater focus. Finally, although I recognize the importance of limiting our use of resources, I think that not letting young kids dry their hands with paper towels when it's 55 degrees and foggy out just lacks common sense. It's a lot easier to do art projects when your hands aren't frozen stiff! read more

This is really a review for "Girls on the Go" run by Monkey Business- My daughter has been going for 3 years now. She has loved it every year. The excursions they chose are perfect for that age range. She looks forward to it EVERY summer! She meets new friends. She has a blast. It is reasonable. The hours are perfect if you work! The counselors are lovely ladies all very supportive and positive. I adored Stacey- (Director who passed) She was my camp counselor when I was a little kid!!- I also adore Heather and I know Heather has maintained the camp without her in such a wonderful way- I love her passion for the kids and this camp. Try it- your daughter will love it. read more

Summer 2009 Review of Monkey Business Summer Camp - I sent my son (age 6) and daughter (age 9) to Monkey Business for 5 weeks last summer. I worried they would get bored at one place but it was just the opposite...they had the most awesome summer camp experience yet. They've been to quite a few including some others in Tilden Park but Monkey Business is the one they've loved the most. Here's some of what my kids had to say - the counsellors "were so sweet, fun, and loving"; they were "such a blast, really cool, good singers"; they were "the most friendly and fun people" and they "always made me feel at home and took really good care of me" ...both kids said that the reason they liked it so much was because the counsellors actually talked to the kids like they genuinely liked being there with them...they do a GREAT job picking their staff. The only thing I would add would be that unlike some other camps nearby, the staff at Monkey B. try to not overly program the kids with constant activities, though there are many to choose from. The kids actually get to relax and have time to choose what they want to do. My kids did not want to be super-structured and preferred self-directed activity with the option of group activities. Hope this review is of some help. read more

This year we went from year round pre school to having to find summer camps for our kid. Friends recommended Monkey Business and we signed up for the entire summer. Our kid had a truly wonderful summer - it was nice to just give her a chance to play and run around all day and just be a kid. She loved all the counselors and we will be back next year. read more

This camp is fantastic. My son went for a week and has really enjoyed it. He always seems happy and tired after camp. It seems to be a very wholesome experience, with outdoors fun, games, songs. Unlike other camps he has attended, the staff manage to help him keep his sun hat on to protect his fair skin. The staff seem to all know and care about the campers even after just a couple of days. read more

As my 4 year old shouted for weeks after camp: "Monkey - Business - Summer - Camp." (along with a ton of other songs and cheers she sang all day). This is a great program, great staff, great activities, and amazing communication process as you prepare for camp. Kiddo is already planning to be a CIT when she's old enough. In the meantime, I plan to work MBSC in to my summer planning for the foreseeable future. read more

My children ages 5, 7 and 10 all attended winter camp this year for a full week. They have not spent much time in in camps before so they resisted like crazy at first, but after a few days they could no longer hide that they simply LOVED going to camp and ended the week asking if they could go back again next year. The counselors were energetic, caring and present with the kids and kept my three occupied all day long. Thank you Monkey Business! read more

Since this was my little boy's favorite camp this summer out of all the ones he attended, wanted to add another rave review to the list. His group was at max number of kids, but counselors and counselors in training were all relaxed, caring, and engaged. He called his CIT his friend, and had fun doing low key activities such as playing chess, and going hiking. He really loved it. The location in Tilden Park was so so out of the way for us and was a 35 minute drive each way, which was our only lament and hard for us logistically. Otherwise we would love to keep going back year after year! read more

Our 3.5 years old daughter had her first and very memorable summer camp (Pre K) at Monkey Business Camp. We signed her up for a week and she really enjoyed all the activities they planned (treasure hunt, fairies, songs, stories...). The 3-4 years old has an on site location near Tilden Park. What made it really special were the amazing camp counselors (including youth counselors whom my daughter was very fond of - only one week of camp yet she loved all the counselors there!). For the PreK camp, they have a good instructor-campers ratio. We left a blanket behind and the Operations Director, Samantha, got it back to us somehow. Thank you for the wonderful leadership and positive experiences. P/S: We reenrolled the following summer and our daughter attended the Strawberry Banana Group at Tilden Park. The group was bigger and most campers attended it with friends they already know. Our daughter enjoyed hiking and swimming. There is unstructured or free play time so it is good for kids who make friends easily or who are attending camp with friends. read more

My 7 year old daughter attended this summer for three weeks. Here is what I like. This camp has been around a long time and has some counselors and staff who have also been around a long time. It is not a fly by night operation and I think that is why they are so extremely well-organized and well equipped to deal with whatever comes up. My litmus test for a good camp is just the feeling I get while talking with counselors and staff that they are "kid people" and I definitely picked up that vibe right away. Also I'm glad the staff has some ethnic/racial diversity as that is just good for our kids to experience. My daughter did attend with a friend but seemed to enjoy the other kids. The counselors and staff went out of their way to figure out what the needs were for my kids and my friend's kids. I felt they really tried to get to know them even though they were there for a relatively short time. My daughter was always happy at the end of the day. Her only complaint was sometimes "being bored" but I think the camp was probably not to blame for those times. She loved the carnivals they would have on Fridays. She learned to hand-knit and tie dye. And such good quality tie dyes. She was always happy at the end of the day. Also, the bathrooms were clean and well-stocked (I checked). read more

My daughter attended the Spring break Camp, and she loved it. So, I signed her up for a week of summer camp that had a theme she liked. That week was full, so I put myself on the waiting list way before the date that the price would increase. Sure enough, i was called 2 days after the price went up and told that there was a space for us, but we have to now pay the higher price. Because my daughter was so excited, I did it. She was less than thrilled with the "theme" of the camp, which consisted of one day of dress-up. One day, when I picked her up, she was covered in dirt. I mean, it was all over her face. It turns out that she fell out of tree, hurt herself (cuts and bruises), and became covered in dirt. The counselors told her that she was "fine" and didn't offer to look at her bruising/cuts or to help her clean her face. other kids were laughing at her, and no counselor helped her. She was humiliated and didn't want to return for the rest of the week. I double-checked with the parent of another kid, and she confirmed the story. When I talked to the director, he apologized to me, adding that my daughter chose to jump out of the tree, which was against the rules. I asked him if they had a policy against administering first aid and comfort to a hurt child if they didn't approve of the way that the child became hurt. No answer. He asked what I needed to make this all better, and i told him that I wanted the counselors to apologize to my daughter for not taking her seriously, and he agreed that this sounded logical. I also told him that I know my child can be a handful, and I hoped that this incident didn't happen because the counselors don't like her; every child, regardless of personality, should be treated with respect. My daughter agreed to go back to camp 2 days later because I told her that the counselors were sorry for their part in this and would be apologizing. When I picked her up, she said she had a good day but that no counselor apologized to her. I know that many people love this camp, but i will never be able to get the image out of my head of my child, face covered in dirt, crying about how humiliated she felt because kids were laughing at her and counselors didn't attend to her when she was hurt/dirty. read more

The best way to review Monkey Business is to share what my daughter (6 1/2 year old) told me: "Dad, Monkey Business is my favorite camp".