Monkey Business Camp: Youth leader positions at Summer camp

At Monkey Business Camp, Youth Leaders are very important members of our community.  They bring caring, playful, and energetic vibe to co-create and assist in making magic and fun that makes each camp unforgettable for the campers, other youth leaders, and staff team.

Youth leaders provide support by welcoming kids upon arrival, playing board games or helping with art, running around the field, and backing up the staff during activities throughout the day. They will develop leadership skills while also being supported a team of experienced staff and get to take part in the games and activities that they help lead. Youth leaders regularly report that this was an amazing and character-building experience for them! Additionally, they receive so much appreciation from the campers, who look up to them as role models, often anticipating for years moving up to the position themselves. 

If your child genuinely enjoys playing with younger kids and creating a kind and fun place for them, really loves the outdoors, has good social emotional and group skills, and lots of energy and enthusiasm, this program would be a good match. 

Once attended, we can provide letters of confirmation of volunteer service, which are a requirement for some middle and high school programs.  Additionally, many youth leaders add the service to resumes for work searches, college applications, or name the experience to garner babysitting or other jobs in between camps. Most of our current staff are former youth leaders, as the role directly prepares them for the responsibilities of being a staff in the future.

Fill out the SUMMER CAMP 2024 NEW YOUTH LEADER INTEREST SURVEY to apply.

“This is an amazing camp that teaches kids how to play and find joy. Not many camps do that these days. We are too busy trying to get our kids to achieve. This camp should be required for all kids in the summer: outdoors the whole day, group games, staying active, exploring nature, fun art. Can’t go wrong. “

Details for Summer Camp are on our website, with some specifics below.

• Ages 11-17

Location is Tilden Park, a wonderful natural backdrop for our classic camp activities, which are 100% unplugged and outdoors.

• Camp Dates-We offer two main three-week sessions, one two-week, and a few extra shorter ones. Groups remain consistent over the length of each session, so kids have a consistent community over a longer period to support kids in building friendships, bonding with staff and teen mentors, and connecting with nature of Tilden. 

• June 5-7, July 1-3 and Aug 12, 13-these shorter sessions, which we hope youth leaders will combine with other sessions, for more consistency are open!
• June 10-28 (3 week session) – 85% full
• July 8-26 (3 week session) – 70% full
• July 29- August 9 (2 week session) – Full!
• August 12-16 (1 week session) – 85% full
• Aug 12, 13 (M&T two-day option) - 25% full
• Note about school start dates: Berkeley and Albany Unified return to school Wed, Aug 14th; West Contra Costa on Monday, Aug 19th. Oakland on Mon, Aug 5th.

    • Camp hours for youth leaders are 8:25-4:35

    • There are fees for this program, as a lot of thought and care is put into it, and your children have a safe and wonderful place to be for entire days for the week.  Pricing is the same as 2023, with three sliding scale tiers, no-cost payment plans, and scholarships available. If kids older, can request reduced pricing on the interest survey. 

“Our kids (ages 10, 9 and 6) all love Monkey Business! It is one of the few camps that all three of them agree on and ask to return to year after year. I love that they are outdoors all day in nature away from devices. The camp leaders are kind and fun. There are many choices of activities for the kids and they love that they get to choose. Highly recommend this camp!”