Camp Chrysalis

Now in its 42nd year, Camp Chrysalis has developed a distinctive approach to environmental education, offering children rich experiences that combine learning, play, and personal growth. We camp in splendid natural environments as a family of learners together. Our purpose is to explore and learn, as well as to play and enjoy. In each environment, we focus on active study of the plants, wildlife and ecology around us, and on basic camping and wilderness skills. Our campers develop science skills as well as an appreciation for the natural world. Each day our campers extend themselves in hikes and local exploration. At camp, campers play chess and Capture-the-Flag, learn to whittle, sharpen knives, make jewelry and art, and just hang out together.

Their exploration is as much of their own developing abilities as of what the world has to offer. One learns how to put their fork away and find it again; another, that they can make a tough climb. All learn to make new friends. In small groups, they enjoy working together and learn to light a fire, cook dinner and clean up the campsite, taking care of us all. They deepen their feelings and friendships around the campfire with skits, stories, and songs from our rich heritage and complement their study of the environment by printing leaves on T-shirts, carving walking sticks, and creating other craft projects. Group singing is a special pleasure and campers take home our camp songbook and a rich introduction to our folksong heritage. We bring many guitars, and offer beginning instruction.

As a mature staff, well experienced working together, we’ve developed a rich understanding of our camp’s culture. Within it, the children learn as much from each other as from us. We enjoy helping them do both and pay close attention to group dynamics and each individual’s need for support. We have become particularly skilled at helping children navigate through life’s experiences that leave them recalling camp as a special place where they grew more mature. Our role as mentors to these young people is a responsibility that we take seriously, and we enjoy seeing many campers return every summer, older and more self-aware.

Each core session can accommodate 40 campers (12 for backpacking). We strive to maintain a gender balance and girls are strongly encouraged to attend. Big Sur is suggested for children new to camping or being away from home. Mendocino is often second and is the most varied session in the types of activities. The Sierra is our most rigorous core session with the largest site and fairly primitive accommodations. In our backpacking sessions, older campers develop additional wilderness skills. At all our sessions, the environment and experiences are so rich that many attend twice or more before moving on to a different session. In addition, Chrysalis veterans who are 15 – 17 years old return as camp leaders in our Counselor-In-Training program.