Association for Environmental & Outdoor education

Camp Chrysalis

Camp Chrysalis, now in its forty-second year, has developed a distinctive approach to environmental education, offering children, ages 8-17, rich experiences that combine recreation, learning, and personal growth. We camp in three spectacular environments as a family of learners together: Big Sur redwoods, Mendocino coast (tide pools) and Sierra Nevada mountains. Our purpose is to explore and learn as well as to play and enjoy. Around camp and on side-trips, we develop natural science skills through active study of these environments, basic camping and wilderness skills, and nurture an ethic of respect and responsibility towards these places. We also offer a backpacking session for our more experienced high-school campers. In addition to our summer sessions, we offer a spring break session to Pinnacles National Park and a winter break snow session to Sugar Bowl. Equally important, we pay particular attention to the human communities that sustain us as individuals. Our very conscious mentoring of young people is one of the big attractions of the camp and campers develop a strong knit and caring community. We divide the campers into four small family groups of mixed gender and ages with two experienced staff leaders. In these small groups, they work and play together, and take care of us all. Free from electronics and popular culture, Camp Chrysalis gives young people the opportunity to create friendships grounded in kindness and respect.