"My 5 year old daughter had a wonderful time at Monkey Business Winter Camp. It was a life saver for us working parents, thank you so much!! She loved all the new songs she learned, especially 'Shark Attack', and all the arts and crafts activities. We look forward to sending her to Summer Camp!"
~ Ricki Robles Akiwenzie
January 2011

"This summer was our first taste of summer camps as my son just finished his first year of school- Kindergarten. To get a flavor or what camps were all about, I signed him up for a ton of camps - basically a different one every week. Toward the end of the summer, I needed to fill a few days and had heard through the mill that Monkey Business offered drop in days for the final two weeks. We live in Oakland, so it's definitely a hike to get to Tilden, but let me just say that it could not have been more worth it. Of the probably 8 camps my son attended this summer, yours was by far his and my most favorite. Your camp just had this vibe that said, "this is what camp should be". He LOVED it. He made friends, he met counselors, he explored the outdoors. I was so, so impressed with the quality of the counselors and with the kids and their attitudes. So easy going and fun."
~ Elizabeth Karger
August 2010

"We were a a little hesitant, since our three-year-old had never been to summer camp, and we did have a difficult separation the first day, but Liz, the head counselor, was a complete pro. She knew exactly how to detach our son, and by the end of day one, he reported to us that, 'I was sad, but now I be happy!' At the start of his second week, he could not stop saying how much he loved camp. Whenever we arrived for pick-up, the groups of 3-4 year-olds were always calm, orderly and contented. The counselors were warm and very impressive, and the setting was idyllic. Monkey Business clearly knows its business!"
~ Nina Teicholz and Gregory Maniatis
August 2010

"Once again, this was Josh's favorite camp this year - it feels like a part of our family tradition now. Playing outside all day long in a beautiful setting with good friends (new and old), learning new things, making lanyards...it is what summer is all about and is the greatest. We will continue to tell our friends about it. Thanks!!!"
~Whendee Silver
August 2009

"Just a quick note that our daughter, Molly LOVED camp with you guys!  Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful experience for her.  We're planning to budget such that we can send her longer next summer."
~ Katie McGonigal
August 2009

"Just wanted to send some feedback - this was our first time at MonkeyBusiness. Sako LOVED the drama camp in August. The before and after care options worked out really well for us. All the staff were wonderful and our family enjoyed the variety show at the end - what a beautiful place for it! We loved the family feeling and the controlled chaos. Sako is already asking if she can return next year. Thanks again for offering such a wonderful program!"
~ Vickie
August 2009

"Thank you for 2 wonderful weeks of camp for Sam this summer.  He had a fantastic time and came home singing new songs at dinner every night.  It seemed to me that Monkey Business was a great combination of organized and relaxed, fun and truly oriented around young people’s perspective. With appreciation..."
~ Julie Saxe
August 2009

"Just a quick thank you for another great summer for Miles!  He especially enjoyed doing the play and I must say I was most impressed with the quality of the show.  Please pass on my compliments to the staff who wrote and directed the show.  We look forward to next summer!"
~ Tara DeRosa
August 2009

"Thanks so much for the great camp last week.  It was our first experience at Monkey Business and my son Benjamin had a great time.  He was very enthusiastic each afternoon when I picked him up (and enjoyed telling me all about his day).  He even attended 1 extra day that we hadn’t originally signed up for, at his request.   During these economic times, it was extremely helpful for my husband and I to be able to maintain our work schedules during the week (while school was closed) and know that Ben was happy and in good care with you at Monkey Business."
~ Karen Lambert
February 2009

"Roan is still talking about woodworking camp from last summer.  You do a great program.  Thanks."
~ Sarah
February 2009

"I am impressed by the level of individual attention he has received. Thanks for providing an extremely fun and supportive option for these breaks from school.”
~ Barbara
February 2009

"My son Nekhi has been attending Monkey Business for the past four summers and absolutely loves it. It has become a home-away-from-home during the summertime. The highlight is always the drama session, where the incredibly talented counselors help the kids put together a performance showcasing a variety of individual talents as well as a group play. This is always a fun, energetic, yet no-stress session and the kids are always super-excited to put on a show for their friends and family. The past couple summers my son has especially bonded with a counselor named Ashkon who is very musically gifted and terrific with the kids. Not sure if he's back this summer, but all the counselors are wonderful. Heather and Stacy, the program directors, are super nice, down to earth, and always available to answer any questions you may have."
-- Teresa Aguirre

“Thanks for running such a wonderful, loving camp"
-- Johnny Symons, dad of two boys, 6 and 8

“The good memories of the previous summer at Girls on the Go brought me back to camp. I wish the program could be extended an extra week, some of us would be happy to stay longer. It was great fun!"
-- Miranda
Girls on the Go camper 2007 & 2008 (age11)

“Anna had SUCH a fantastic time at Monkey Business this summer. Each day she'd come home glowing from all the activities and play. We were at both locations--Tilden and Roberts, and they were equally amazing. I've never seen Anna adjust to a new situation with such ease and (even) enthusiasm! The counselors and directors really took their time to connect with Anna, and she clearly felt a part of the Monkey Business community. Both Taylor and Lindsay (and all the counselors) are inspiring. We are planning to come back next summer (but for more sessions!).”
—Monica Baldzikowski

"We love Monkey Business. The staff is terrific. Not only are they warm, supportive, and experienced with young kids, but they obviously enjoy working with children (which -- bizarrely -- is not true of the staff at some of the summer camps around here). The folks who run Monkey Business have obviously thought out the program thoroughly in advance, so that nothing falls through the cracks. I love it that there is a time on the schedule every day for sun screening -- no more sunburned kids because an overworked counselor forgot to suggest sun-screen and the kids were too busy playing to stop and request some! This is the kind of camp every kid should go to during the summer: they play games, they do crafts, they go swimming, they sing songs, they have a great time. What more could you ask for?"
—Judith Barish

“I think this camp is one of the best in the nation. Gosh I really wish there was a Monkey Business Camp in the San Jose area. Keep up the great work!”
-- Karen Vasquez

“Our eldest daughter went to Monkey Business for several years, and our younger daughters' greatest wish came true when they were old enough to go, too. Monkey Business combines a wonderful mix of creativity, relaxation, and physically challenging hikes (walks WE could never get our children to do and on which they now lead us...) Although the camp has expanded to several sites, the warmth and enthusiasm of the staff have never lagged. We look forward to several more summers in Tilden Park .”
—Eric Naiman, Professor, UC Berkeley 

“My son has been attending Monkey Business camp for several years, since its inception-first as a camper, then for the last two years as a CIT. He has enjoyed taking on the role of helping out with the younger campers, and looks forward to returning every year. Stacy and Heather and their wonderful staff set the tone for a warm, friendly atmosphere, and the kids have good, old-fashioned summer fun!”
-- Laura Klein

“Thanks for an awesome experience this summer at Monkey Business. Both kids loved it and came home with projects and stories and jokes and were consistently in GOOD MOODS – which is huge. Thank you again for finding both K&Z a place in the Tilden camp in August so they could be with Dennis and Ferguson – which they loved. It was a great summer!”
—Johnny Symons

“Molly loved the camp in Oakland because she was able to learn new things, make friends, enjoy the outdoors and have fun in a relaxed but attentive atmosphere. She really liked her counselors and seemed to get a lot of attention from them. She loved all the art projects and especially loved making slime and cooking with the solar oven. We'll definitely be back next summer.”
-- Carolyn Jones 

“As a graduate of Mills College and the mother of two daughters, I'm very much aware of "Girl Power." Girls on the Go is all about "Girl Power," making new friendships and becoming independent. While my daughter loved the field trips, she also liked the "journey" getting to a destination on public transportation. My daughter was nervous about not attending camp with a friend. Those feelings quickly disappeared and were replaced with daily anticipation of playing with her new friends. In fact, this year she's hoping to see some of these "old" friends again. We love the camp so much, we asked Stacy and Heather for permission to mail brochures and sample schedules to our friends. We're spreading the word about what a blast this camp is! Naturally, we are planning our entire summer camp schedule around Girls on the Go!”
--Sabrina Stewart

“Wanting to thank you for the excellent time my son Evan had at camp this past summer. It was a really positive experience for him and for me having some place he was so excited about was a great relief. I have seen a lot of emotional and social development in Evan these past few months and I believe your program helped bring about that growth and helped increase his self confidence. We definitely will see you next summer.”
-- Lynne Kerr

“Really and truly the list of good things about Monkey Business Camp could go on and on. We have flown in from Illinois , of all places, so that Renner could be a counselor in training for two summers in a row. All year long he talks about his friends from Oakland. Each summer he has grown more sure of himself as he helped younger children in skits, singing and games. Monkey Business is transformative! Stacy and Heather model a way of interacting with children that help them be the leaders in their own learning, and the campers' enthusiasm shows in the way they relate to each other.”
-- Sharon Irish

“My sons have participated in the CIT and Jr. CIT programs with Monkey Business Camp. In addition, to having as much fun as they did when they were monkey business campers, they were wonderfully mentored in assuming their new levels of responsibilities. They want to be a part of Monkey Business Camp as long as they can.”
—Margot Graves-Montalbano

“Our family has grown up with Monkey Business Summer Camp. Both children started in kindergarten or first grade, romping through the woods and at the lake in Tilden Park. When the older child reached 3rd grade, she moved on to Girls on the Go. She is now considering the CIT program, and the younger one has Girls at the top of her list of summer camps this year. Heather and Stacy are wonderful role models, and they are the reason we continue to go back year after year.”
—Sandy Brumbaum, Berkwood Hedge School Teacher