Camp Chrysalis will be in its 42nd year this summer. Our purpose at Camp Chrysalis is to explore and learn, as well as to play and enjoy. Around camp and on side-trips, we focus often on active study of the environment and wildlife, to develop natural science skills as well as appreciation; and on basic camping and wilderness skills. Our campers extend themselves in hikes, and then loaf around the swimming hole. Back at camp, they play chess and Capture-the-Flag, learn to whittle and sharpen knives, and just hang out together.
Campers’ exploration is as much of their own developing abilities as of what the world has to offer. One learns how to put his fork away and find it again; another, that she can make a tough climb; all learn to make new friends. Our very conscious mentoring of young people is one of the big draws of the camp as campers develop a strong knit and caring community of learners. We divide the campers into four small family groups of mixed gender and ages. In these small groups, they enjoy working and playing together, and taking care of us all. They deepen their feelings and friendships around the campfire with skits, stories, songs from our rich folk heritage; and complement their nature study with leaf-painting on T-shirts, and use saws and drills while working on woodworking, jewelry and other craft projects.
Camp Size and Staffing:
The Big Sur Session includes 36-40 campers and ten experienced staff. Fully half are girls! Our experienced counselors offer individual attention to campers with a camper:staff ratio of better than 4:1 and is a welcoming community for non-binary campers.
Logistics and Transportation:
We leave early by bus from Berkeley, CA on the first day of the session and return by 4pm on the last day to Berkeley. The children bring sleeping-bags, tents (optional), and personal gear; and help us with meal preparation and camp maintenance. We provide good food and many resources, extra tents, much instruction and supervision, and insurance. The campsites have tables and toilet facilities. Beyond this, we’re roughing it; but the camp experience is pleasurable and is not arduous. All activities are paced to enable younger and less-vigorous campers to complete them enjoyably.
After registration, parents will be emailed a PDF to fill out answering more questions about their child including medical, swimming, health treatment and more.
Scholarship Program:
Financial assistance is available. Contact Lee Tempkin if you are interested at: [email protected].
About the Director - Lee Tempkin:
Lee has been an educator and mentor to young people since 1973 as a teacher and middle school director. After 45 years in education, he is loving retirement where he spearheads Camp Chrysalis between summers and coaches individual students in math. He loves conifers, birds, singing, cooking, and hiking in the Sierras. He tunes the camp organizational engine while sharing his fascination with the outdoors and his vision for building community. This is his 42nd summer leading Camp Chrysalis.
Camp Chrysalis