Question 1

What Time is Departure and Pickup?

Accepted Answer

All sessions leave at 9:00 AM from 2434 McKinley Ave, off Dwight Way in Berkeley (see below for directions). The return times are 4 PM for the Big Sur session, 5 PM for the Mendocino session, and 6 PM for the Sierra session.
We use chartered school buses for transportation in the three main sessions. Please have your camper there at 8:45 with the following supplies to check in with a staff member. If they have any medications, be sure to give it to the staff member with clear written directions when you check in.

Question 2

What to Bring?

Accepted Answer

All campers should bring:
·       Bag lunch and full water bottle in their daypack.
·       Duffel bag with the required personal supplies (please pack the duffel with your camper so they know what they have and where it is located). Label clothes and other items and don’t tie anything to the outside of the duffel bag.
·       Sleeping bag in a secure stuff-sack and sleeping pad tied securely. Label the outside of both. 
·       Tent in a secure bag (optional). Label the outside and make sure all parts are functional. 
·       Frame packs for the Sierras should be packed empty.

Question 3

What not to Bring?

Accepted Answer

·       Cell phones, iPads, or any other electronic devices. Cameras are fine.
·       All food items beyond the first day’s lunch, including gum and snacks. We provide lots of healthy food and don’t have excess storage for personal items. Food cannot be kept in backpacks or duffel bags as this isn’t safe for local wildlife.
·       Sheath knives, even in a secure sheath.
·       Drugs of any kind, legal or illegal. Prescription and OTC medications should be given to a staff member when you check in in a labeled zip-loc with clear instructions. Your camper's group leader will monitor these medications at camp.
For more details, please visit our Structure and Philosophy page.

Question 4

Is There Mail Delivery at Camp?

Accepted Answer

There is no mail delivery at camp. If you want to communicate with your camper, you are welcome to enclose a note in their duffel bag. We do offer postcards to campers, midway through the session, and encourage them to write a note home.

Question 5

Is There Phone Access?

Accepted Answer

There is no phone service at camp. Most sessions do not have cell phone service. Emergency phone contact numbers:
·       Big Sur Ranger Station 805 968-6640
·       Mendocino Ranger Station 707 937-5804
·       Tahoe NF Ranger Station 530 289-3700 or 530 862-1212
·       Less urgent messages may be left on Lee’s home phone 510 843-6157; We check in every day or two.

Question 6

What Are Camp Meals Like?

Accepted Answer

Camp meals are kid-friendly with organic and fresh food whenever feasible. We use large coolers and block ice to keep food fresh. Our staff eat with the campers and small groups participate in preparing dinner for the camp. Campers consistently say that our food is some of the best at any camp. We are able to accommodate most dietary needs and allergies,  including gluten-free, nut free, and vegan.

Breakfast changes daily and consists of pancakes, French toast, eggs and potatoes, breakfast sausages, hot and cold cereal, with fresh fruit and yogurt served daily. Hot cocoa appears on cold mornings within each session.

Lunch typically consists of a sandwich buffet with sliced turkey and cheeses, baked tofu, lettuce, tomato, onions, as well as PB&J, and a variety of bread. We usually offer a quesadillas and leftovers lunch and bagels with cream cheese each session.

Afternoon snack consists of fresh fruit or carrots with pretzels, chips, or other carbohydrate.
Dinner changes daily with entrées of hamburgers and hot dogs, pasta with a tomato sauce, pesto pasta, homemade macaroni and cheese, chicken burrito bar, vegetarian stir-fry, barbecue chicken, black bean chili, broccoli and tofu rice noodle bowl or soup. We do ask campers to choose either salad or sliced carrots at most dinners.

Desserts happen during campfires or evening programs and consist of home-baked treats and cookies, as well as marshmallows and S’mores at our final campfire.

Question 7

What do campers bring home from camp?

Accepted Answer

Besides an increase in personal confidence and an ability to take care of their personal belongings, campers often bring home a comfort with “wild” places and an appreciation and understanding of the plants and animals that live within them and the ecological processes that created them. They have many stories of the hikes they’ve taken, the experiences that they’ve shared, the personal growth that has occurred, as well as the new friends they’ve made. In addition, they take home a Bare Book with their nature journal sketches and wonderings, a Camp Chrysalis songbook filled with folk songs, and a Camp Chrysalis bandana. After camp is over, we send a link to a Google site with photos and videos of our activities to give families visual memories to encourage stories.

Question 8

What If My Camper Is Going On Their Own?

Accepted Answer

There are often campers who come on their own to every session and many are surprised at departure to see campers from other programs (soccer, day camps, etc.) whom they know previously. We introduce solo campers to other campers of a similar age while loading the bus and staff continue this on the bus. Many are experienced in helping campers to start conversations with others.

Frequently Asked Questions