Monkey Business Camp
Tilden Regional Park, 2501 Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Orinda, CA 94563
About
Monkey Business Camp offers days filled with field and board games, art and creative projects, nature exploration and park walks, storytelling, singing, and group games. Campers also take part in bubble dance parties, carnival games, food projects, and occasional visits from special guest artists. Days balance active movement in open and wooded park areas with quieter time at picnic tables for art, food projects, and other calmer activities.
• Ages: 5–17 years old
• Schedule: Sessions include options of 3 weeks, 2 weeks, 1 week, 4 days, and 2 days.
• Price: Camper & CIT Fees — Choose a Tier: Tier 1: 3 Weeks $1,928; 2 Weeks $1,298; 1 Week $668; 4 Days $538; 2 Days $268. Tier 2: 3 Weeks $2,128; 2 Weeks $1,448; 1 Week $738; 4 Days $578; 2 Days $298. Tier 3: 3 Weeks $2,328; 2 Weeks $1,548; 1 Week $778; 4 Days $618; 2 Days $318. Junior Counselor (JC) Fees — Choose a Tier: Tier 1: 3 Weeks $389; 2 Weeks $289; 1 Week $149; 4 Days $129; 2 Days $89. Tier 2: 3 Weeks $569; 2 Weeks $389; 1 Week $199; 4 Days $169; 2 Days $119. Tier 3: 3 Weeks $869; 2 Weeks $579; 1 Week $299; 4 Days $239; 2 Days $139. Older CITs (ages 13+) may request a discounted rate on their interest survey, and approved discounts typically fall between mid- and upper-tier JC rates. Fees increase beginning May 1 (approximately $20 per week).
Monkey Business Camp has been creating joyful, play-based camp experiences for Berkeley families since 1998 and describes its mission as bringing kids together through community, creativity, and meaningful time outside. The program notes that days are active, playful, and grounded in connection, with 90–100% of time unplugged and outdoors, balancing free play and structure. It offers Youth Leadership for ages 11–17, where youth leaders assist staff, mentor younger campers, and gain hands-on leadership experience, with full-day and full-session participation required for youth leaders. JC spaces may convert to CIT spaces if needed, and CITs require approval to take spaces originally designated for JCs. Monkey Business Camp describes itself as a community families grow with, from camper to youth leader to staff, and reports having served over 10,000 kids and 6,000 families over 27 years of community-centered programming. The camp uses sliding scale fee tiers, with higher tiers helping fund scholarships, year-round staff, and diverse programming.
The staff is described as caring and professional, with over 80% being former campers or youth leaders. Parent and camper feedback includes comments such as a camper saying, “No, I want to do Monkey Business all summer!” and a parent sharing that their son spent time in Tilden making new friends, playing many games, exploring the wilderness, and coming home each day happy and full of stories. Other parents report that activities grow with their child while keeping a familiar routine, that multiple siblings of different ages all ask to return year after year, and that the camp feels warm, welcoming, easy, friendly, open, and very well organized.
Last updated March 28, 2026.
• Ages: 5–17 years old
• Schedule: Sessions include options of 3 weeks, 2 weeks, 1 week, 4 days, and 2 days.
• Price: Camper & CIT Fees — Choose a Tier: Tier 1: 3 Weeks $1,928; 2 Weeks $1,298; 1 Week $668; 4 Days $538; 2 Days $268. Tier 2: 3 Weeks $2,128; 2 Weeks $1,448; 1 Week $738; 4 Days $578; 2 Days $298. Tier 3: 3 Weeks $2,328; 2 Weeks $1,548; 1 Week $778; 4 Days $618; 2 Days $318. Junior Counselor (JC) Fees — Choose a Tier: Tier 1: 3 Weeks $389; 2 Weeks $289; 1 Week $149; 4 Days $129; 2 Days $89. Tier 2: 3 Weeks $569; 2 Weeks $389; 1 Week $199; 4 Days $169; 2 Days $119. Tier 3: 3 Weeks $869; 2 Weeks $579; 1 Week $299; 4 Days $239; 2 Days $139. Older CITs (ages 13+) may request a discounted rate on their interest survey, and approved discounts typically fall between mid- and upper-tier JC rates. Fees increase beginning May 1 (approximately $20 per week).
Monkey Business Camp has been creating joyful, play-based camp experiences for Berkeley families since 1998 and describes its mission as bringing kids together through community, creativity, and meaningful time outside. The program notes that days are active, playful, and grounded in connection, with 90–100% of time unplugged and outdoors, balancing free play and structure. It offers Youth Leadership for ages 11–17, where youth leaders assist staff, mentor younger campers, and gain hands-on leadership experience, with full-day and full-session participation required for youth leaders. JC spaces may convert to CIT spaces if needed, and CITs require approval to take spaces originally designated for JCs. Monkey Business Camp describes itself as a community families grow with, from camper to youth leader to staff, and reports having served over 10,000 kids and 6,000 families over 27 years of community-centered programming. The camp uses sliding scale fee tiers, with higher tiers helping fund scholarships, year-round staff, and diverse programming.
The staff is described as caring and professional, with over 80% being former campers or youth leaders. Parent and camper feedback includes comments such as a camper saying, “No, I want to do Monkey Business all summer!” and a parent sharing that their son spent time in Tilden making new friends, playing many games, exploring the wilderness, and coming home each day happy and full of stories. Other parents report that activities grow with their child while keeping a familiar routine, that multiple siblings of different ages all ask to return year after year, and that the camp feels warm, welcoming, easy, friendly, open, and very well organized.
Last updated March 28, 2026.