Youth FAQs

How can I confirm that my enrollment went through?

Confirmation emails are sent out automatically upon completing the online enrollment process. If you do not recall seeing a confirmation email in your inbox there are two possible causes: contact the Enrollment Center to make sure we sent the confirmation to the correct address, we can also confirm your enrollment for you; check your spam/junk mail folder for any emails from camps@berkeley.edu. All of our emails come from that same email address. If our emails are going to your spam/junk mail folder by accident, please configure your email account to accept our email address as “safe” so that important camp emails always make it to your inbox.

You can also check your enrollment status by logging into CampDoc and clicking Registrations under the participant name on the left hand side of the mainpage.

Is there a deadline to enroll for Extended Care?

You can register for Extended Care at any time through the first day of a camp session. 

Can I enroll my camper in multiple half-day Adventures camps in order to create a full day of programming?

Yes! If your camper is registered for two half-day programs at the UC Aquatic Center at the Berkeley Marina, they will be supervised for lunch and start their PM camp at 1:00 p.m. If your camper is spending half a day with our Rock Climbing camp, a shuttle service is provided for campers who register. This additional service can be added as an Add-On in CampDoc at the time of registration for Rock Climbing. 

PM extended care at the Adventures Marina are for Full Day and PM Camps only and does not include PM Rock Climbing Camps. There is no extended care for PM Rock Climbing Camps.

AM Marina campers or AM Rock Climbing campers must be picked up at NOON at the Rock Climbing location or the marina, depending on the camp.

Are there any differences between the one-week camps and the regular two-week camps besides the length of the camp session?

Yes! Blue Camp one-week sessions for Cubs, Bears, and Grizzlies do not include swimming or archery as an activity. Swimming is only available for two-week Cubs, Bears, and Grizzlies sessions, and archery is only available for two-week Bears and Grizzlies sessions. Additionally, Blue Camp Bears and Grizzlies enrolled in one-week sessions do not get their choice of individual elective activities. Activities for these sessions are pre-assigned by the camp's supervisors based on staff availability—no exceptions. For campers who prefer to have a choice of what activities they have on their schedule, the two-week session offerings are a better option. Furthermore, one-week session participants registered for Blue Camp Cubs, Bears, and Grizzlies, as well as one-week session participants registered for Explorer Camp, will be placed in separate groups from their two-week counterparts. Campers in two consecutive one-week sessions do not qualify for the two-week curriculum. 

Do you prorate camps?

No, that’s not something we offer.

What are your cancellations, withdrawals, and transfer policies?

We accept transfer requests up to 30 days before the start of the session you are enrolled in. Transfers will be subject to a $35 processing fee per camp transfer, per session, per individual. Please visit our Cancellations, Withdrawals, and Transfers page for more details about our policies.

Who do I contact to find out what spot my child is on the waitlist?

To find out what spot your child is on the waitlist, please reach out to camps@berkeley.edu. We appreciate your patience as we manage the waitlist process. If a spot becomes available and you are next in line, we will notify you promptly via camps@berkeley.edu with a deadline to respond. We are unable to grant extensions once the deadline is communicated. While we do our best to provide adequate response windows, deadlines may be shortened due to enrollment requirements.

My child’s birth date is within 30 days of the camp session. How do I request consideration for them to be enrolled in a camp when they are technically too young at the time of sign-up?

The registration system requires campers meet the age requirements on the first day of the camp session. To request for age consideration for an upcoming camp, please submit your inquiry to camps@berkeley.edu with your child’s full name and camp you would like to register for. Please note that enrollment consideration is based on each camp's guidelines and availability. 

Our campers want to attend during the same session. One child is registered and the other is on a waitlist. What options are available to address this situation?

We suggest that you look for alternative camps with availability. If there are no spots available in the same session as the registered camper, you can look for alternative sessions that have availability and transfer the waitlisted camper to one of those.

I accidentally enrolled my child twice for the same camp. Who do I contact to cancel one of the registrations?

If you accidentally enrolled your child twice for the same or incorrect camp, please email camps@berkeley.edu with your child’s full name and the incorrect registration. 

Are Berkeley Youth Recreation Camps a good fit for my child?

Berkeley Youth Recreation's summer camps and year-round programs are highly structured and operate in fast-paced outdoor and indoor environments. Camp environments may include various factors, such as loud noises, bright lights, strong smells, and tactile sensations that can be overstimulating and may trigger sensory overload in some campers. Please use personal discretion when deciding to enroll your child in our programs.

To ensure our camps are a good fit for your child, please be sure to accurately fill out the behavioral and emotional support needs when you register your child in CampDoc. When we receive this information in advance, we do our best to contact the parent before each program begins to follow up on how to best support your child. There may be needs that are outside of the scope of our staff and we will reach out if that becomes the scenario on next steps. If your child typically has an aide when they attend school, please share by emailing the Berkeley Youth Recreation Camps email, camps@berkeley.edu. For more information, or if you have additional questions, please email camps@berkeley.edu.

Where are your camps located?

Our camps are located at various locations on and near the UC Berkeley Campus. Please use the Parent Handbook for camp locations and camp information.

What should campers bring to camp?

• Food: lunch and snacks. Campers can have snacks all day between their activities.
• Reusable Water Bottle, with your child's first and last name on it: so children can have quicker and more frequent access to water.
• Sweatshirt or Jacket: with your child’s first and last names in it.
• Sunscreen
• Dress for active play and only wear closed-toed athletic shoes. No sandals, crocs, or flip flops.
• Backpack, with your child's first and last name on it: Campers carry their belongings with them during the day so backpacks are ideal. This also means parents should remain mindful of the backpack’s weight.

All necessary sports equipment is provided by the camp, with the exception of Skate Camp. Skate Camp participants must bring their own board and protective gear to camp. NOTE: Explorer Campers have two official snack times, as opposed to older campers.

What should campers leave at home?

Please leave electronic games, iPads, trading cards, and any other expensive or valuable items at home. We do not allow the playing of electronic games or trading of collectibles at camp. Cell phones may be brought, but cannot be used during camp. Any necessary phone calls and text messaging can be made at the camp office or on the cell phone with the permission and supervision of staff. This will help us ensure your child’s safety. We are not responsible for any items brought to, or lost at camp.

Do you provide lunch?

We do not provide lunch. All campers must bring their own lunch, snacks, and water bottles on a daily basis.

What do I need to do to send medication to camp?

All current medications and prescriptions must be detailed in the participant's CampDoc profile. Prescriptions, written by the prescribing doctor, must be uploaded into CampDoc. A Camp Medication Form must be filled out on site and maintained in the camp office, along with the actual prescription medication in a current prescription bottle. This policy extends to all medication including over the counter medicine.

Inhalers:

Inhalers may be kept on the campers person, or held by a staff member. A current prescription must be uploaded into CampDoc and a written authorization to keep the inhaler on their person or held by a staff member must be submitted to camp staff. Additionally, a Camp Medication Form must also be filled out on site and maintained in the camp office.

What if my camper is absent?

Attendance is taken at the start of each camp day. Campers not in attendance at that time will be marked absent.

Adventures:

Please contact the Enrollment Center (510-643-2267) as soon as you know that your camper will not be attending camp. Some Adventures camps involve travel off-site which can be delayed significantly if the camp staff are expecting your camper to arrive without being notified otherwise.

Explorer Camp:

No notification is required in the event of an absence. Any campers who are not present for daily check-in will be marked as absent.

Blue Camp:

No notification is required in the event of an absence. Any campers who are not present for daily check-in will be marked as absent.

Gymnastics:

Please inform us via GbGym@Berkeley.edu if your camper will not be present for a day of camp. 

Skate:

No notification is required in the event of an absence. Any campers who are not present for daily check-in will be marked as absent.

Martial Arts:

If possible, please notify us of absences at least a day in advance at campcoordinator@ucmap.org. 

Gold Camp:

No notification is required in the event of an absence. Any campers who are not present for daily check-in will be marked as absent.

Where do I drop my camper/team member off?

Explorer Camp (Strawberry Canyon Rec Area & Pool):

Parents may enter the Witter parking lot on the right side (eastbound) of Centennial Drive, and park in any available space. Please note that parking can sometimes be limited. From there, parents walk their campers into Strawberry Canyon Rec Area by using the front gate, go past the pool, and climb the Haas Clubhouse stairs where camp staff will greet them. Staff will then check the camper(s) into camp.

Blue Camp (Golden Bear Rec Center & Pool):

There are two drop-off points on the right side of Sports Lane where you can pull-over and let your camper out. The first drop-off point, which is for Cubs (Ages 7-8), will be in front of the Blue Camp office. Staff and Leadership Team members are in vests and help campers safely get out of the car and to the Softball Field. The second drop-off point is for Bears, Grizzlies, and CILTs (Ages 9 - 12) and is at the gate above the Tennis Courts and Skate Park at the bottom of Sports Lane. Staff and Leadership Team members are in vests and help campers safely get out of the car and into the Basketball/Tennis Courts. Due to the limited parking at Golden Bear Rec Center, you cannot park your car on Sports Lane and we keep traffic flow going one way. All Blue campers check in at their assigned group meeting location with their assigned activity leader. Staff sign the camper into camp.

Gymnastics Camp (Golden Bear Recreation Center & Pool):

Drop-off is located on the left side of Sports Lane, in front of the Golden Bear Recreation Center. Staff and Leadership Team members, wearing vests, will assist with check-in, helping campers exit vehicles safely and enter the facility. To ensure smooth traffic flow, parking is not permitted on Sports Lane. If you need extra time to get your camper acclimated, please park on Dwight Way and walk your camper to the Golden Bear Recreation Center for check-in, where staff will be available to assist.

If you need to drop campers off late, please inform us via gbgym@Berkeley.edu the day prior. If there is a last minute reason for being late, please call 510-642-9821 and inform us. When you arrive please pull over on Sports Lane in front of the Golden Bears Recreation Center, and a staff member will come out and sign your children in for the day.

Skateboarding Camp and Team (Golden Bear Rec Center & Pool)

There is one drop-off point on the right side of Sports Lane in front of the Skate Park where you can pull over and let your child out. Staff and Leadership Team members are in vests, and help children safely get out of the car and into the Skate Facility. Due to the limited parking at Golden Bear, you cannot park your car on Sports Lane and we keep traffic flow going one way.

Adventures (UC Aquatics Center @ Berkeley Marina):

Parents/Guardians should arrive with their camper(s) fifteen (15) minutes early on the first day of each session to confirm your camper(s) registration, check/correct parent contact information and share important camper details with staff. All other days of the session, parents/guardians can have their camper sign themselves in at the registration table with staff.

Martial Arts Camp (Recreational Sports Facility):

Campers will be brought directly to the dojo located in the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF) at 2301 Bancroft Way. Upon arrival, parents of the campers should sign the sign-in sheet for their child. Further directions will be provided prior to the start of camp.

Gold UVA Summer Camp (UVA Community Center):

Parents/Guardians should drop off their camper at the UVA Community Center gym NOT through the main entrance to the Community Center. The gym doors are located directly to the right of the main entrance.

Do I need to be with my child for drop off?

Yes, UC Berkeley-wide policy requires that all youth 12 years and younger be accompanied by their “trusted’ contact” (as noted in our CampDoc software) during check-in. If your child arrives at check-in alone, we will inform their trusted contact and wait to check them in until the trusted contact arrives. Continued failure to comply with the policy may result in registration withdrawal.

What is the late arrival policy?

Explorer Camp (Strawberry Canyon Rec Area & Pool)

If your camper arrives after 9:05am, you must check in at the Explorer Camp Office located past the pool, to the left of the Clubhouse stairs. A staff member will meet you, sign your camper in, and escort your camper to their group.

Blue Camp (Golden Bear Rec Center & Pool)

If you need to drop off campers after the regular drop-off period, please pull into the parking spaces adjacent to the Blue Camp office. Walk your child to the service window, and a member of staff will sign your child in and escort them to their assigned group. The Blue Camp office is located in the building across the street from Golden Bear Rec Center.

Gymnastics Camp and Team (Golden Bear Rec Center & Pool)

If you need to drop your child off late, please inform us at gbgym@berkeley.edu the day prior. If there is a last minute reason for being late, email us first, then inform us by phone at 510-642-9821

Adventures Camp

Adventures campers in all camps except Rock Climbing should go directly to their respective activities at the UC Aquatics Center if they are arriving later than either their 9:00 a.m. start time. Campers arriving late may miss regularly scheduled activities due to tardiness.

Rock Climbing

Please walk with your camper to the climbing group in order to check the camper into the program with Adventures staff. While the parks are small, we would not want any campers wandering around attempting to find the program.

Martial Arts Camp (Recreational Sports Facility)

If arriving late, please make sure to let us know as soon as possible and make sure to sign the camper in upon arrival. You may email us at campcoordinator@ucmap.org.

Skateboarding Camp and Team (Golden Bear Rec Center & Pool)

If you need to drop children off late, please inform us via skate@berkeley.edu the day prior. If there is a last minute reason for being late, please call 510-642-5813 and inform us. When you arrive please pull over next to the Skate Park, and a staff member will come out and sign your children in for the day.

Gold Summer Camp (UVA Community Center):

If your camper will be arriving after the designated drop off period, they will need to be checked in by a staff member. Please accompany your camper to the Youth Recreation Office located inside of the Community Center (the first door on the right when entering), and a staff member will check them in.

What if my child needs to leave early?

If your child needs to leave before the end of their scheduled day, an Authorized Pick-Up person must report to the camp office to sign them out. The authorized adult also needs to be listed as a Trusted Contact on your child’s CampDoc profile. They will then either be given a check-out pass or a staff member will bring the child to the camp office. 

Explorer Camp (Strawberry Canyon Rec Area & Pool)

If needing early pick-up, please inform us via explorer.camp@berkeley.edu the day prior. If there is a last minute reason for early pick-up, please notify the camp office as soon as possible. Upon your arrival, please park and come to the camp office to check your camper(s) out. Early pick-up ends at 3:20 p.m., please ensure you arrive prior to 3:20 p.m. if you are intending to sign your camper(s) out early.

Gymnastics Camp Team (Golden Bear Rec Center & Pool)

If you are needing to pick up early, please inform us via GbGym@Berkeley.edu the day prior. If there is a last minute reason for early pick up, please call 510-642-9821 and inform us. Please park in front of Golden Bears Rec Center, and we will have a staff member escort your child to you. We are unable to have your child leave early after 2:45pm. They will need to participate in our traditional check out procedures.

Blue Camp (Golden Bear Rec Center & Pool)

If needing early pick-up, please inform us via blue.camp@berkeley.edu the day prior. If there is a last minute reason for early pick up, please call 510-631-3244 and inform us. Please pull into the parking spaces adjacent to the Blue Camp office, and we will have a staff member escort your child to you. Early pick-up ends at 3:00 p.m., please ensure you arrive prior to 3:00 p.m. if you are intending to sign your camper(s) out early.

Skateboarding Camp and Team (Golden Bear Rec Center & Pool)

If needing early pick-up, please inform us via youth@berkeley.edu the day prior. If there is a last minute reason for early pick up, please call 510-642-5813 and inform us. Please park in front of the Skate Park, and we will have a staff member escort your child to you.

Adventures Camps

You can give permission for your child to leave early on his/her own. E-mail a note from the primary parent’s registered email to the camp email. Include the following on the note: 1) the camper’s name, 2) the time and date the camper needs to leave, and 3) permission for the camper to sign out himself or herself. The camper will be released on his/her own at that time.

Paddle Adventures Camp / Discovery Camp

Please note that camp curriculums will not be changed if your camper must be picked up early on any given day, it is your responsibility to pick your camper up (or arrange pick–up as noted above) from the specific location where the camp is taking place on that day. A schedule of the week’s planned activities and locations is distributed on Monday each week. You may also contact the Enrollment Center for location information.

Martial Arts Camp (Recreational Sports Facility)

Please inform us about the method in which your camper will be leaving prior to picking up your camper at campcoordinator@ucmap.org. The parent or camper must sign out before leaving. If someone else other than the parents is coming to pick up the child, let us know their name. Identification will be checked upon arrival.

Gold Summer Camp (UVA Community Center):

If your camper will be getting picked up early, please inform the Leadership Team via email (uvayouthrec@berkeley.edu) or text 510-517-6080. Informing the Leadership Team of your camper's early departure will give them time to help get your camper ready to go in a timely manner. To pick up your camper, please check in with a staff member at the front office who will assist you in signing them out. 

What if I am running late to pick up my child?

Please note the time that your camp/program(s) begins and ends. Next, please contact your specific camp/program office once you know you are going to be late. Staff will stay with your child until you arrive; we will never leave a child unattended unless you have authorized your child to sign-out and leave on their own.

To ensure an easy pickup process and avoid additional fees, we encourage families to enroll in Afternoon Extended Care, which provides supervised care until 6:00 PM (or 5:30 PM for Martial Arts Extended Care). This can be added conveniently to your camper’s registration in CampDoc.
If your child is not picked up by the end of the camp check-out window, there is a 15 minute grace period.

If your child is not picked up within 15 minutes of the camp day concluding, they will be automatically enrolled in a One-Day Extended Care Drop-In Session at a cost of $25 (equivalent to one day of extended care). This charge will be automatically added to your CampDoc account. If a second instance occurs, you will be automatically charged for the entirety of your child's enrolled camp session of Extended Care.

Late pickups past the end of Extended Care at 6:00 PM (or 5:30 PM for Martial Arts Extended Care) will be charged a flat fee of $5 per minute per child.

How are camper groupings selected?

Camp Leadership Teams make group assignments up to one week before a camp session begins. Group assignments are based upon, but not limited to, the criteria listed below, which may vary depending upon the program. The camp retains the right to determine groupings based on the overall benefit of all the children in the camp and the overall organization of the camp:

Grouping Criteria:

• Age of campers
• Size of groups
• Camper-to-staff ratios as set by the camp
• Activity selections (Add-Ons in CampDoc)
• Special circumstances (e.g. special needs and/or accommodations)
• Session length (one week or two weeks)

How are age groups broken up for campers with birthdays coming up this year?

This varies based on the camp program. Some programs have strict age limitations due to weight and size restrictions for activities. More information can be found on the individual camp pages:

• Blue Camp
• Explorer Camp
• Adventures Camps
• Martial Arts Camp
• Gymnastics Camp
• Skateboarding Camp
• Gold Camp

Can my camper be grouped with friends?

For some camps, yes! Requests for grouping (e.g. group with a friend or request not to be grouped with another camper, can be made at the time of initial registration in CampDoc). Additionally, requests can be submitted to each camp's Leadership Team. All friend requests must be submitted in writing at least one week prior to the start of camp. While every effort is made to accommodate all requests, friend requests are not guaranteed and may not always be possible.

Gymnastics Camp:

While we cannot guarantee placement in groups with friends, we will try our best to accommodate all requests. Please note, due to safety requirements on our equipment, our groups are based on age. All friend requests must be submitted before the camp start date.

Skateboarding Camp:

Campers are grouped on the day of the camp based on age and skill level criteria. While we cannot guarantee placement in groups with friends, we will try our best to accommodate all requests.

Blue Camp:

Grouping requests for Blue Camp Cubs campers can be made in CampDoc and by emailing the camp's Leadership Team at blue.camp@berkeley.edu. Blue Camp Bears and Grizzlies campers create their own schedules, so campers who want to be in activities together should make sure the exact same activities are chosen as Add-Ons in the same order at the time of registration in CampDoc. If it is absolutely essential that specific campers be grouped together, please submit an email to the Blue Camp Leadership team. Please note that campers enrolled in one-week sessions are not grouped with campers enrolled in two-week sessions. Campers in two consecutive one-week sessions do not qualify for the two-week curriculum.

Explorer Camp:

Grouping requests for Explorer campers can be made in CampDoc and by emailing the camp's Leadership Team at explorer.camp@berkeley.edu. Please note that campers enrolled in one-week sessions are not grouped with campers enrolled in two-week sessions. Campers in two consecutive one-week sessions do not qualify for the two-week curriculum.

Gold Camp:

Grouping requests for Gold Camp can be made in CampDoc and by emailing the camp's Leadership Team at uvayouthrec@berkeley.edu. If emailing, please include the camper's first and last name and session. Please note that camper's enrolled in camp for ages 5-7 cannot be grouped with campers in the 8-10 age groups. 

Can one-week campers be grouped w/ campers enrolled in two-week sessions?

No. Campers enrolled in one-week sessions comprise their own group, or sets of groups, and do not interact with campers enrolled in two-week sessions aside from during lunch breaks in some camps. One-week campers and two-week campers cannot be grouped together. Campers in two consecutive one-week sessions do not qualify for the two-week curriculum. 

How are activities for camp assigned?

Blue Camp - Cubs:

Every attempt is made to offer a wide selection of activities, however individual activities cannot be selected by each camper, they are pre-assigned. Cubs are given a rounded schedule of both arts activities and sports activities, depending on factors affecting our ability to offer specific sports, such as staff and facility availability. Swimming is only provided for Cubs who are enrolled in two-week sessions and is not available for Cubs enrolled in one-week sessions.

Blue Camp - Bears & Grizzlies

Bears and Grizzlies participants select their class schedule hour-by-hour at the time of via Add-Ons in CampDoc. Each Add-On activity can only be selected once. Schedules with duplicate activities will be adjusted by camp supervisors. Classes like swimming and archery are in high demand and not guaranteed. Campers are scheduled into three morning activities and three afternoon activities. Every attempt is made to offer a wide selection of sports and arts activities. Factors affecting our ability to offer specific activities are enrollment capacities, staff, and facility availability. Swimming and archery are elective activities only for the two-week Bears and Grizzlies sessions. Swim lessons are not included in the one-week Blue Camp sessions. 

Explorer Camp:

Explorer campers participate in pre-assigned activities that are a mixture of high-energy activities balanced with one or two creative, non-athletic recreation activities such as art, nature, chess, or yoga. Explorer Campers do not have the option of choosing their activities. Activities are pre-assigned by the Camp Leadership Team approximately one week prior to the beginning of each session. Swim lessons are part of the daily activities for Explorer Camp for both one-week and two-week sessions. Alternative activities can be requested. Scheduled activities depend on staff expertise and availability each session. Every attempt is made to offer a wide selection of the sports and activities. 

Gold Camp:

All campers receive a schedule of pre-assigned activities that are designed to engage them in a well rounded camp experience. Each session new activities may be added/removed based on the interest of the campers and the expertise of the instructors. Each group's robust schedule will always include a balance of high energy activities (e.g., Soccer, Softball, Track and Field) and non-athletic recreation based activities (ex. Arts and Crafts, Chess, Theater). Each session’s activities are curated to provide a wide array of activities for campers to participate in.

Can I change my campers' activity preferences?

Blue Camp:

Groups and activities are scheduled before camp starts and group activities are set for the entire session. Campers may not change their assigned group on the first day of camp. If a camper has tried their schedule for a few days and is still unhappy, we will explore the possibility of a group change. However, group changes are reserved for extreme cases. We would like parents to bring us any issues relating to your camper’s schedule, either in-person at the Camp Office, or via email to blue.camp@berkeley.edu. This allows us to talk with the instructors and group leaders about making any changes before we switch a camper to another group. Campers enrolled in one-week Bears or Grizzlies sessions are given a pre-assigned schedule at the time of registration.

Explorer Camp:

Group activities are scheduled before camp starts and are set for the entire session. Explorer campers receive an Activity Rotation schedule on the first day of camp. The camp Leadership Team will do everything possible to ensure campers are happy with their assigned activities and groups, though they cannot guarantee all schedule change requests. If a camper has tried their group and activity schedule for a couple of days and is still unhappy, staff will explore a possible group change per a written request by parents via email to explorer.camp@berkeley.edu. However, this is reserved for extreme cases. Parents are encouraged to bring any major issues to the camp staff's attention immediately. This allows staff to talk with the instructors and group leaders to make any necessary changes before a grouping change is made.

Gold Camp:

Group activities are scheduled before camp starts and are set for the entire one week session. Camp participants and families will receive their activity schedule on the first day of camp. The camp Leadership Team will do everything possible to ensure campers are happy with their assigned activities and groups, though they cannot guarantee all schedule change requests. If a camper has tried their group and activity schedule for a couple of days and is still unhappy, staff will explore a possible group change per a written request by parents/guardians via email to uvayouthrec@berkeley.edu. However, this is reserved for extreme cases. Parents are encouraged to bring any major issues to the camp's Leadership Team immediately. This allows the Leadership Team to talk with the instructors and group leaders to make any necessary changes before a grouping is made.

What happens to the lost and found?

Please label all items brought to camp with your child's first and last name in order to avoid confusion. Lost and Found items are donated to a local charity one week after each camp session ends (that’s five times during the summer). If you are going on vacation right after the end of camp, let us know so we can look for your lost items before they are donated.

What is your tax ID number?

94-6002123 for all camps.

How do I schedule Semi-Private or Private swim lessons?

We do not schedule these lessons until early June when we have our hiring and staffing completed. A swim lesson coordinator will contact you to request your preference of days and times. Typically, private lessons are scheduled Monday - Thursday, 3:30p-6pm.

Are the swim lessons at Blue and Explorer Camp necessary? What if my camper doesn’t want to participate in them?

Campers are not required to participate in scheduled swimming activities. Arrangements can be made for an alternative activity upon request. Please note that swim lessons are not offered for one-week Blue Camp Cubs, Bears, or Grizzlies sessions. However, swimming is a part of the daily curriculum for Explorer Camp for both one-week and two-week sessions.

Prepayment in full is required at the time of registration for all youth camps and programs. Berkeley Youth Recreation offers limited financial assistance for families who are unable to pay the full amount. Customers with outstanding balances (for example, those who previously utilized payment plans) and where the related session has concluded, should contact camps@berkeley.edu to pay any remaining balance before future program registration.

Who is eligible for early access to camp registration?
Early access to camp registration is available for current UC Berkeley faculty, staff, and student-parents.

Why is early access being offered to current faculty, staff, and student-parents?
This benefit is provided in order to better support UC Berkeley working parents, many of whom rely on our summer camps for child care and enrichment during the summer months.

How will it work?
A day in mid-January will be designated as the early registration day for faculty, staff and student parents, who will have received advance notice via their UC Berkeley email. They can register for as many camps as desired on that day. After that day, registration will close until it reopens Jan. 28-30 to the general public.

Is financial assistance available?
Yes, financial assistance is available through our Camps Financial Assistance Program.

How will you verify that a registrant is a current faculty, staff member, or student-parent?
Registrants will be asked to provide their UC Berkeley ID, UC Berkeley email address (@berkeley.edu) and, for faculty and staff, their department or division. This information will be verified by the Youth Recreation team.

What if someone registers early who is not a current UC Berkeley staff, faculty or student-parent?
The registration will be voided and payment will be returned, if our verification process determines that the registrant is not a UC Berkeley affiliate.

What should I do if I have questions about the Early Camp Registration program?
Please contact us at camps@berkeley.edu if you have any questions about the Early Camp Registration program.

The health and well-being of our campers and families is our number one priority. This summer, we’ll maintain all the fun and learning of camp while adhering to federal, state, local, and UC Berkeley health guidelines regarding COVID-19. Our team will continuously monitor changes to these guidelines and will update families of major changes.

Vaccinations

Please visit our Immunization Requirements page for details on vaccination requirements of campers and staff.

Hand Washing & Access to Hand Sanitizer

Handwashing with soap and water is strongly encouraged by participants and patrons while participating in our facilities or participating in programs. Hand sanitizer will be readily available for staff, campers, and approved visitors in our facilities.

Daily Cleaning

Custodial staff clean the camp spaces and surfaces throughout the day. This includes cleaning tables, chairs, floors, and other materials. Custodial staff also clean the restrooms throughout the day.

What if my camper or I have traveled before camp?

There are no travel policies relating to participation in our programs.

Procedures for Potential COVID-19 Exposure

In the case of a potential COVID-19 exposure (youth participant OR staff) in a Youth Program or Camp, the Recreation & Wellbeing Department will send an email notification to all youth participants and staff members that may have had close contact with the affected individual. After a potential exposure, individuals should comply with current health orders and guidance including City of Berkeley Public Health Orders for Isolation, and California Department of Public Health Guidance for Isolation and Quarantine.

What do I do if my camper tests positive for COVID-19?

If your camper has COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home and notify us at camps@berkeley.edu. It is recommended that your camper take a  COVID-19 test if they have symptoms. See the City of Berkeley’s guidance on when and how to get tested.