Camp Chrysalis

We sent our 11 year old 6^th grader to this camp. It was his first time at sleep away camp, and he didn’t know anyone going. I went to YMCA camps growing up, and did a lot of research before choosing a camp for him. WOW! His experience was amazing and I am so happy we sent him. We were nervous parents sending him off, but the staff reaches out right away with lots of detailed info, and we got to do a meet and greet before he left with staff and other campers. The counselors seemed caring and enthusiastic. My son learned SO MUCH! From the kids loading the bus themselves, pitching their tents and helping to cook their own food, trying abalone and sea urchin, tide pooling and swimming and boating in the river. Just an overall positive community experience out in nature. They do lots of hiking and traditional camping activities and his days seemed filled adventure. He grew close to many of the kids and cannot wait to go back next year. He has talked non-​stop about it since he came home. Overall, it is a small, quality, educational camping experience. Just what I wanted to for a kid who works hard at school all year long, and loves his technology-​just to unplug and relax. He came home more independent and just refreshed! I wish I could go!!!

My son Ryan (13) has been going to Camp Chrysalis for the 3^rd year now. He loved it! It was a great place to meet friends his age who do not have the distraction of electronics and share the same fascination of nature and science. Highly recommend it! When his baby brother is old enough, he will go as well.

My daughter LOVES camp chrysalis and can’t imagine a summer without it. It’s the only camp, as far as we’re concerned. She’s been several times and I truly believe the experience has made her a more confident, responsible, and happy person.

Our daughter has been to Camp Chrysalis for the past three years, 2012 will be her fourth. She started with Big Sur, then two years at Mendocino and this year will go to Sierra.
She is an experienced camper, having been to Girl Scout camp and other sleep-​away camps but Camp Chrysalis is by far and away her favorite!
She loves that she learns about the environment they are camping in in a fun way and are taught to appreciate and respect nature. The counselors are outstanding — knowledgeable and engaged with the kids. Mr. Tempkin, the Director, is an established educator with many, many years of experience.
If you only send your child to one camp this summer, this should be the one!

I highly, highly recommend Camp Chrysalis, a summer nature camp run by Lee Tempkin. My two kids (13 and 15) have gone to several different sessions over the last four years and it’s always the highlight of their summer. They’re looking forward to yet another summer session, unplugging from the world of computers and phones, and immersing themselves in the natural world — whether through hiking, swimming in cold mountain lakes, learning about the environment and how to preserve it, learning camping skills, forging meaningful friendships, or making jewelry and crafts from wood, leather, and even abalone shells (Mendocino session). There is an emphasis on personal responsibility — both towards the environment and to yourself and the group. The campers help prepare meals (food is really good), set up camp, and build a campfire each night without using matches! Every night they congregate around the campfire and sing songs from the Camp Chrysalis songbook. The staff has always been outstanding and they take their roles as mentors and leaders seriously. My kids always look forward to stepping away from their busy, noisy lives to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of the natural world. Camp Chrysalis is a gem.