Enrollment is generally filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, Camp Chrysalis reserves the right to make admissions decisions on other bases, such as maintaining an even gender balance in the sessions.

A depost of $100 is due at the time of sign-up, and the tuition balance is due by April 1. Upon receipt of the application (see "Forms" page) and deposit, we will contact each camper family to confirm their space and with further details about preparing for camp.

To Veteran and New Campers and their Families,

This is our 26th year, more than a quarter of a century young! When we first talked about starting a camp for the students in our schools, Michael and I never expected to have such an amazing and satisfying run. Though much has grown familiar to us, the experience of working and learning with children in an outdoor setting continues to be exciting and rewarding. With the camp now much older than its campers, we have become a local institution, a well-kept Berkeley "secret".

Our central emphasis continues to be on natural science, as we explore each environment intimately -- hiking, swimming, meandering, focusing on the uniqueness and beauty of the land, wherever we are. Over the years, other activities, not originally foreseen -- folk-singing and guitar instruction, woodworking, jewelry making, canoeing, archery, marble etching, T-shirt painting, backpacking trips -- have come to enrich the camp experience. Most importantly, our senses of group dynamics and our skills in helping children grow in cooperation, independence, and responsibility for themselves and to the group have improved. Although we're still learning and growing ourselves, we know that we run a special kind of camp -- one that nurtures the whole child in many different ways.

This summer, we'll be returning to familiar sites, with new activities planned and old favorites continuing. Our Big Sur Session is first and is ideal for younger, beginning campers. The group site is still closed for repairs, so we'll be in five contiguous sites at the end of the family camp near the Gorge Trail. Second is our Mendocino session that, as usual, is at the best time of the year to tide-pool. Next is the Sierra session, at our base camp in the Tahoe National Forest. We expect spectacular wildflowers, beautiful lakes, and warm days. Last is the backpacking session, for our older high school campers, with enough days to allow us time to explore a spectacular location in the Sierras still to be decided. This session is for campers with prior backpacking experience.

As many of you have heard, Michael Rossman, founding partner and long-term avid naturalist and friend, is recovering from a serious battle with Leukemia. We do not know if he will be able to be involved with camp this year and will miss his presence and passion in many ways. Erika is adventuring in Israel and also will not be returning to camp. However, we are very pleased that so many of our other experienced staff (David, Ashley, Kay, Estrella, Nancy and Becca) are returning. We are also hiring new staff to enrich the camp. With this amazing staff, Camp Chrysalis will maintain its low camper/staff ratio of 5/1.

We've kept our fees the same as last year although some session lengths have changed. We continue to offer generous financial assistance to families who need it. Please talk with Lee about this. Camp Chrysalis's fees continue to be significantly lower than other science-oriented camps, while providing a unique program for your children's learning and growth.

As a small "family-style" camp, our advertising depends mainly on positive word-of-mouth. Please share our brochures with friends, relatives, neighbors, and business associates -- and call us for more, if you know a good place to distribute or leave them.

We'd be delighted to have new campers and their friends and/or relatives join us to explore new or familiar environments. Much of our joy in running this camp is the satisfaction of watching children grow and mature as they explore new situations and challenges and discover much about themselves in the process. And if your child is joining us this summer, please return the application form and the deposit promptly. Some sessions filled up in March last year and we had to turn away several old friends as well as other potential new campers. Thanks, and have a wonderful spring!

Sincerely,

Lee, for the staff