Click here for a printer-friendly version of this page Registration Questions Q: I have already attended a camp in the past. Do I need to fill out a new form?  A: We keep forms on file at our office.  If you have attended Monkey Business Camp within the past 2 and a half years AND there are no changes to the information you are all set! Q: Can I register for Camp via the internet, phone or email? A: There are multiple options.  Click here for more info –http://www.monkeybusinesscamp.com/reginfo.htm Q: Do you offer single day registration? A: Yes, for our school break camps, camp is open to daily registration.  We often give discounts for entire period registrations.  Q. Can I add days after my initial registration? A: Yes, go online to add more or contact the office.  Drop-in rates, $75/day, go into affect two Saturdays before camp starts, so registering earlier locks in the lower rates.  We do understand sometimes people need care last minute, so, if there is room, you can add days up to the last minute. Q: Will I get a confirmation when your office has received my registration form? A: Yes, we send you a confirmation e-mail or phone call within 10 days of your registration. IMPORTANT: Contact our office if you do not hear from us. Q: Do the morning and afternoon extended care have to be reserved in advance, or can I add that later if I find out that I need it?  A: You may add later and pay via phone with credit card or send a check to the office if done previous to camp starting.  Once camp begins, you may “drop-in” to a.m or p.m extended care and there are instructions at the sign in area regarding how to do this.  Payment is due on day of service. Q. Can I make changes to my registration? If there is room, yes.  Basic days can be transferred for a one time fee of $10.  Extended care days can be changed once for no fee; $10 fee for subsequent changes.  Q. How do I know if there is still room available? A: We will close online registration once spaces are full.  Q: I have an 8 year old and a 6 year old. Although you have two different groups and my children would be separated because of their age, would it be possible for them to participate in the same group? A: Yes, this may be possible, although we have found that it usually does not work out so well, especially for the older child. S/he is ready to play with kids his/her age and is not challenged enough with the younger group. Our staff is trained in helping with separation anxiety, so we can help your younger child adjust to the group.  The groups are sometimes together during the morning and post lunch free period and in the afternoon extended care so the kids would also have a chance to hang out together at these times.  But, if you believe otherwise, please feel free to contact our office with that info. Q: My child is turning 4 and a half a couple months after camp starts. Can s/he attend your camp? A: We look forward to the time your child can begin, but we cannot take kids that much younger.  We already have a wide age range, and need to stick to this cut off.  Sign up for our e-mail newsletter, so you stay in touch with us! Payment Questions Q: Do you accept credit cards? A: Yes.   Q: Can I set up a payment plan to pay for camp? A: Yes. Click here for February Camp Payment Plan or here for Spring Break Payment Plan.Fill out and send in with registration. Q: Do you have a sibling discount or other discount? A: Depending on the program, so check details online to see what is currently being offered. Q: Do you offer financial aid? If so, how can I apply? A: Click here for financial aid application. We also have work trade options.  We are looking for reliability, dependability, and good attention to detail.  In the summer, you would do things like clean out and deliver supplies to our vans, do laundry, go shopping before camp starts, sharpen pencils, clean tarps.  During Winter, February or Spring Camps, you would help set-up and take down camp from our off site location, do laundry. Please download this form for further information and next steps. General Program Questions Q: What if my child does not want to do an activity? A: The wonderful thing about our camp is that there are usually 2-3 options to choose from, so that kids can find what they like. On the occasions when there is an activity that all the kids participate in and your child really does not want to or cannot join, they can read, draw, build, or maybe even run outside as necessary. Q: How well does your program serve an active boy? A: Our programming provides a rich environment for an active child. The daily schedule includes time for group field games and traditional sports like soccer, kickball, and whiffleball. We also have free periods, where outdoor play is encouraged.  We hire staff, both male and female, to organize and direct these games. Many boys enjoy our camp immensely. Some have said that they prefer it to traditional sports camps, as they have time for other activities.  Q: What is the group size? A: This depends, so we cannot say for sure what make-up will be.  Usually the Banana Group (4.5-7 year olds) has about 24-32 kids and group is split into smaller groups by age during activities; the Coconut Group 7-10 year olds) has about 16-20 kids.  Q: What if my child is an older 6 and all his friends are 7? A: Works out fine to register your child for the older kid's group. Go ahead and do so, and write us an e-mail or note on the registration form or send an e-mail if registering online. You can also contact us before hand if you have any questions. Q: What is the counselor: child ratio? A: 1:9 for Banana Group; 1:11 for Coconut Group.  Youth leaders, about 1 for every 10 campers, help support the counseling team. Q: What is the daily schedule? A: Daily Schedules are posted on the website.  Please call us if you would like more information. (510) 540-6025 The Directors are happy to talk with parents. Q: What are your rainy day plans? A: We can continue most of our programming.  For more active pursuits, we have an extra room.  Q: Do you provide snacks? If so, what do they consist of? During the basic day, no, but we sometimes have cooking projects.  We ask parents to send an extra morning snack in the lunchbox, since kids are often hungrier at camp, being more active than at school.  During beginning portion of extended day care, 3:30-6:00p.m., we serve a snack of fruit and crackers, 90% of which is organic. Q: Will Heather Mitchell, Founding Director of Monkey Business Camp, work directly with kids? A: She plans on being a part of camp, visiting and supervising. Q: Do you leave the school at any time? A: Yes. Occasionally we walk around the block as part of our curriculum, or walk to a grassy field nearby to play a field game.  Safety Questions Q: Will my child be safe in your care? A: Safety is number one for all of us at Monkey Business Camp. If the kids are not safe, then none of us can really enjoy ourselves. We are proud to say that in 11 years of running camp, our safety record is excellent. We provide a thorough training for our staff, and all of our Counselors are CPR certified. At least one staff person on site is always First Aid certified. Q: Do you have parent references? A: Yes we do. Please contact our office to access this information. There are also quotes from parents available on our website here: http://www.monkeybusinesscamp.com/Parent%20Quotes.htm Q: Who will staff the camp? How do you screen your staff? A: Most sites have a Site Director and a P.M. Director who stays for the extended care program. They will be joined by 1-3 other counselors to round out the team. Our search for a qualified, fun, diverse, caring, safety-conscious team is very rigorous. It includes a phone interview, individual interview, a multiple employer reference check, and 3 days of training. Check out staff here: www.monkeybusinesscamp.com/staff.htm Q: Do you train your Counselors? A: Yes, counselors have participated in 3 days of training and attend team meetings before camp starts. Site leaders have an additional day of training. We cover important safety information, share games, bring in guest speakers, and act out scenarios to train our staff to effectively trouble-shoot any conflict that arises. Team communication is also an important topic. The training also serves as a vehicle for knowing the philosophies and procedures that make Monkey Business Camp special. Founding Director Heather Mitchell, and other long term staff (Amber Potter or Marcus Liefert), continue to train staff while on site.