Echo Lake Camp - This recreational paradise for campers still has available spots, for all ages.
Echo Lake Youth Camp is a one-of-a-kind sleep-away camp in the beautiful High Sierras. Campers will enjoy the natural surroundings and daily activities like swimming and hiking, archery, group sports, and arts and crafts. The fun continues into the evening with campfire sing-alongs, talent shows, all-camp Capture the Flag, stargazing, and a dance. Build fond memories and lasting friendships in a wholesome environment.
Echo Lake Job Announcements
Echo Lake Staff Brochure
Welcome to Echo Lake Camp! On this site you will find general information on programs including Echo Lake Youth Camp, Counselors in Training, Family Camp, 50+ camp, Artists In Residence, and Work Weekend. Summer employment, scholarships, refund and rental information are also included on these pages as well as links to forms and brochures. We look forward to your stay with us, whether it is for one of our programs, as a base for a backpacking adventure, or a special event.
Summer 2013
Youth Camp (AGES 7-13)
Youth Camp is a five-day overnight summer camp available in five sessions. The goal of our staff is to create an exciting and nurturing environment where kids can develop self-confidence, teamwork, and try fun challenges. We want our youth to get a sense of connection with themselves, their friends, and the environment. Each cabin is assigned to a counselor for the week, who provides constant supervision. Our staff emphasizes safety in fun, leads recreational activities, and serves as a mentor to our campers. Daily activities include swimming, sports, all-camp games, archery, arts & crafts and hiking. In the evenings campers participate in events like a night hike, campfire, a dance, stargazing, or a talent show. Echo Lake Camp is a traditional sleep-away camp which provides an ideal summer experience for all types of youth.
Transportation
Supervised transportation to and from camp is provided for youth campers. Pickup is at 8:00 AM on Monday in front of the Berkeley Unified School District, 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, returning by 5:00 PM Friday, to the same location.
Counselor-in-Training (AGES 14-15)
Our CIT program provides a safe and structured environment for young teens to develop job skills, gain valuable experience, and bond through work in a close-knit team. CITs experience Echo Lake Camp from behind-the-scenes, and position themselves for future employment while enjoying the fun and excitement of camp. CITs are able to learn a variety of job skills and contribute more broadly to the camp’s success by assisting counselors and other staff in organizing activities and supervising younger campers. Counselors In Training engage in the same programs and schedule as Youth Campers, while acting as mentors and leading by example.
Family Camp (ALL AGES)
Berkeley Echo Lake Family Camp is an opportunity for families to stay in our rustic tent-cabins and enjoy our facilities in the beautiful natural surroundings. Campers can experience the great outdoors without having to worry about meal preparation or setting up tents. Campers of any age can attend Echo Lake Family Camp, and fees include three meals per day and an overnight stay. We are minutes away from stunning Echo Lake and the vast Desolation Wilderness, where campers can go hiking and swimming. Campers are welcome to bring their own fishing equipment for a day at the lake, or can take a scenic boat trip from the Echo Chalet. Campers can use Echo Lake Camp as their base camp for a Wilderness backpacking adventure, or just stay and enjoy the amenities on-site. Whether your family prefers archery, sports, and swimming, or board games and a quiet place to read, Echo Lake Family Camp offers a great, low cost family vacation opportunity – we hope to see you there!
50 Plus Camp (AGES 50+)
Echo Lake’s 50+ weekends are a worry free escape to one of the most scenic places in California. Transportation is provided to and from the camp and participants are provided with three delicious meals a day. Campers share roomy tent cabins and have access to all our facilities including the pool and jacuzzi. During the day campers will volunteer to lead programs such as arts and crafts, yoga classes, nature hikes, discussion groups and more. Our staff will also lead archery lessons, and hikes around the lake. Evening activities include a campfire, a talent show, and astronomy lessons when weather permits. Artists in Residence may also be selected as volunteers to lead special workshops in exchange for room and board in this program.
Artist-in-Residence
We encourage volunteers to apply for our Artist In Residence Program. Volunteers receive free room and board during their stay at camp, in exchange for the organization and running of approved workshops. During Family Camp and 50+ programs, class times are flexible, while Youth Camp workshops will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM with the option of a Wednesday evening performance for applicable programs. Successful Youth Camp lessons have included various group dance lessons, multi-media journals, and scenic landscape art. 50+ programs always benefit from classes like morning warm-ups, swimming pool calisthenics and art workshops, as well as poetry, song writing, and follow-up performances.
Work Weekend (ALL AGES)
Come help get camp ready for a busy summer season at our annual volunteer Work Weekend. We will be cleaning, painting, building, organizing and clearing trails. All ages and skill levels welcome.
Refund Policy
All requests for refunds must be directed to the Recreation & Youth Services Manager, Recreation Division, 1947 Center Street, First Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704. The original receipt must be submitted with a written request for a refund. The request must state the reason for the refund, and the date, time and location of the program. The Recreation and Youth Services Manager will render a decision to either: 1) refund the fee; 2) pro-rate the fee; 3) apply the fees to another session or program; or 4) deny the request.
No refunds will be provided if cancellation is made less than 30 days before camp arrival date. A refund will be provided if the entire reservation is cancelled not less than 30 calendar days prior to arrival date, less a 25% administration fee not to exceed $150.
Emergency or Illness at Camp
The Department Director or designee, in the event of an emergency or illness occurring at camp, may waive any unused portion of the reservation fee. Doctor's note and original receipt are required.
Camps Unit, 1947 Center Street, 1st floor, Berkeley, CA 94704
TEL: (510) 981-5140, TDD: (510) 981-6903, FAX: (510) 981-5160
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
Winter Hours (December - February) Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:30pm
Email:recreation@cityofberkeley.info
See Holiday and Reduced Service Day Schedule
*(pdf) This is a pdf format, if you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, please download from City's download site.