Here are the Frequently Asked Questions that we get from parents…
General
What is your refund policy?
Can I transfer from one week to another, or one camp to another?
Can I pay a deposit to hold a spot?
Where is each camp located? How do I get there?
Is lunch provided?
Do you provide snacks?
Do you offer extended day care?
Does my child need to wear the camp shirt each day?
Do you offer any discounts?
What are the qualifications of your camp staff?
Do you have anything for teens?
Do you offer financial aid?
When are camp forms due?
Are you hiring?
Angel Island Camp FAQs
Why should we choose Angel Island Camp?
Where is drop-off and pick-up?
Is lunch provided?
What should campers bring each day?
How are the campers grouped?
Do you take buddy requests?
My child is five but hasn’t completed kindergarten yet. Can he/she still attend AI camp?
Do you offer extended care?
What are the ages and experience of your staff?
Does my child need to wear the camp t-shirt everyday?
Does my child have to kayak?
Is kayaking in the bay safe?
What are other parents saying about Angel Island Camp?
What is the staff to camper ratio?
Do you teach the campers about nature, conservation and the history of Angel Island?
If my child is in the Sea Otters or Sting Rays group do they need to bring money for the field trip?
If my child is in the Sea Otters or Sting Rays group what do they need to bring to the overnight?
If my child is in the Sea Otters or Sting Rays group do they have to go on the field trip or overnight?
Harry Potter Camp FAQs
What is a typical day like?
Does my child need to be familiar with all the books and movies?
How do I make sure my child is in Gryffindor?
Are snacks provided?
Where is camp?
Should my child dress up?
Will you be playing Quidditch?
Are there any potions that might be dangerous?
What are the qualification of the staff?
What are other parents saying about Harry Potter Camp?
For additional questions contact Curt Jackson at (415) 435-4355
Cooking Camp FAQs
For specific questions contact Scott Ohlendorf at (415) 435-4355
Counselor-in-Training Program FAQs
For information on the CIT program click here.
Higgins All Sports Camps and Tennis Clinics FAQs
For specific questions contact William Higgins at (415) 963-2549
All Other Camps FAQ
For specific questions on any other camp we offer contact Sherry Burchert at (415) 435-4355
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General FAQs
What is your refund policy?
If you cancel prior to two weeks before camp the cancellation fee is $35 per session.
If you cancel between two weeks to 3 business days (Wednesday) before camp the cancellation fee is $50 per session.
Cancellations after that will receive no refund.
Can I transfer from one week to another, or one camp to another?
Yes, as long as it is at least 3 business days prior to the start of camp. The transfer fee is $15 per session/transfer.
Can I pay a deposit to hold a spot?
No, we do not take deposits. Registration fees must be paid in full at time of registration.
Where is each camp located? How do I get there?
We have various locations throughout Belvedere and Tiburon. See our Directions page.
Is lunch provided?
No, we do not provide lunch. Angel Island camp provides lunch only on Friday (BBQ day).
Do you provide snacks?
Campus Kids, R.O.C., Harry Potter Camp, and Chess Camp provides snacks.
The others do not. Campers are encouraged to bring snacks to Angel Island Camp.
Do you offer extended day care?
No, we do not offer extended day care. We have offered it in the past but only occasionally would we get 1 or 2 registrations. Usually nobody registers for it.
Does my child need to wear the camp shirt each day?
At Campus Kids campers are required to wear their camp shirts.
At Angel Island campers are encouraged, but not required to wear their camp shirts.
At Chess camp campers are encouraged, but not required to wear their camp shirts.
These are the only three camps that receive camp t-shirts.
Do you offer any discounts?
Sorry, we do not offer discounts of any kind (multiple kids, multiple weeks, etc.)
Do you have anything for teens?
We have our C.I.T. program.
Do you offer financial aid?
We have limited financial aid available. Contact Sherry Burchert at (415) 435-4355 for more information.
When are camp forms due?
You can get your forms into us prior to camp or bring them on the first day of camp. Campers without a Participant Information Form cannot attend camp.
Are you hiring?
Check the Join Our Team page for more information.
Angel Island Camp FAQs
Why should we choose Angel Island Camp?
Angel Island camp has been around for 34 years. While many of the “big” day camps are on school sites Angel Island Day Camp is outdoors amongst the trees, grass and bay. A traditional day camp should be in nature. Being on Angel Island is a real treat for campers. The love taking the ferry over and being in a new environment.
We also limit the number of campers we take. Having a “small” camp allows our staff to develop positive relationships with campers. It also allows the staff to keep an eye on campers ensuring their safety. At the “big” camps children often get “lost” in the crowd, unable to connect with staff or other campers. We pride ourselves in creating a fun, memorable and safe day camp experience and it shows in the comments we receive from parents every summer.
Where is drop-off and pick-up?
Click here for drop-off and pick-up information.
Is lunch provided?
Campers need to bring a lunch every day except Friday, when we do a BBQ.
Snacks should be brought every day M-F.
What should campers bring each day?
Campers should wear layered clothing. It’s usually cold in the morning but can quickly heat up around noon. Campers should also bring a bag or backpack with lunch, snacks, sunscreen and a bottle of water. On Fridays campers should also bring a swim suit and a beach towel.
How are the campers grouped?
Campers are grouped by age; Starfish (5-6 year olds), Sea Horses (7-8 year olds), Sea Otters (9-10 year olds) and Sting Rays (11-12 year olds). The campers stay in their groups all week except if teams are created for Theme Day.
Do you take buddy requests?
If your child’s friend is the same age then there is no need for a request as they will already be in the same group.
If teams are created on Theme Day campers will have the opportunity to choose one buddy to be on their team.
If your child has a sibling or friend in a different age group requests may or may not be granted. For example, if a 7 year old want to be in the same group as a 9 year old we will not accept the request. This disrupts the dynamics of the groups. A group of 9-10 year olds wouldn’t want a 7 year old in their group and a 9 year old would not want to spend his camp time with 7-8 year olds while the 9-10 year olds were off doing something else. However, If an 8 year old is in the same grade as most 9 year olds then we can bump them up and vice-versa. We understand that some kids may have started school early or late and most of their peers are a different age.
Our goal is to make sure that all campers are comfortable with the groups they are in.
My child is five but hasn’t completed kindergarten yet. Can he/she still attend AI camp?
No. Angel Island Camp is a full day and children who have not been to kindergarten are not used to full day camps. We also find that they are not socially and mentally prepared for a camp like this. They would have a much better time at Campus Kids.
Do you offer extended care?
No. However, we do have staff that may be willing to babysit after camp. Contact Sherry Burchert at (415) 435-4355 for more information.
Currently we are working on extended care for our San Francisco campers where there is a big need for it. Call us for more information.
What experience does your staff have?
All of our current Angel Island Camp staff (Moose, Butterscotch and Tiny) are out of college, and each have years of camp experience. They work for Belvedere-Tiburon Recreation year round leading after school programs and running special events. We are in the process of hiring summer only staff to fill three more positions. For more info on our current staff see our Meet Our Staff page.
Does my child need to wear the camp t-shirt everyday?
Campers are strongly encouraged to wear the camp t-shirts, but it is not required.
Does my child have to kayak?
No. We do not make campers do anything they do not want to do, or that you as a parent are uncomfortable with. Campers that do not kayak will spend time with the other campers on the beach.
Is kayaking in the bay safe?
Absolutely. Sea Trek Kayaking supplies the kayaks and one of their experienced instructors. Campers are given a instructional workshop before they can kayak. All campers MUST wear one of the life jackets that we provide. The Sea Trek instructor and our staff make sure that the campers stay close to the beach and do not venture past any of the docked boats. Campers may double up on kayaks or go with one of our staff as well.
What are other parents saying about Angel Island Camp?
Here are some comments form our surveys over the past two years…
“In the past he has attended ***** *** *****. He prefers the outdoor setting and physical activities that you provide.”
“My twins have already gone to **** ******* and **** **** and even though they loved them, I think this one has been the top one thus far.”
“Angel Island Camp is a unique experience, in my opinion, from the other camps.”
“My kids have attended Angel Island Camp for 3 or 4 years now and I’m surprised that they still love it just as well. I think it’s the counselors. Whatever training you provide is great. They seem to be ‘professional’ yet so cool and fun for my kids. Thanks.”
“My son attended a total of five camps this summer…(he) rates your camp as #1″
What is the staff to camper ratio?
Starfish (5-6 year olds) has a ratio of 1 to 6.
Sea Horses and Sea Otters (7-10 year olds have a ratio of 1to 8
Sting Rays (11-12 year olds) has a ratio of 1 to 10
Do you teach the campers about nature, conservation and the history of Angel Island?
Yes and No. We are not an educational camp. We are a recreational camp. There are many great educational camps available in the Bay Area if that is what you’re looking for. In the past, we had campers learn about the history of the island and more led by the Angel Island docents that give tours and such, and we did our own programs to make it more exciting. The surveys showed that many of the campers didn’t enjoy this aspect of camp and didn’t want to return to camp for that very reason. Bottom line, that is not our strength. However, we do offer some nature activities as part of the camp experience.
Our strength lies in our staff. Our staff strives to be great role models for your children, to help them understand right from wrong, to show them that you can be goofy and cool at the same time. We believe that there are 3 things in a camp environment that can change a child’s life; the camp environment (enjoyable, physically and emotionally safe, a natural setting, etc.), firsts (first time fishing, first time kayaking, first time feeling accepted, etc.) and positive relationships (camper-to-camper and camper-to-staff). Our goal is to create a safe and fun environment filled with activities that campers enjoy and want to do again and again, run by staff that are courteous, passionate, fun and intelligent.
If my child is in the Sea Otters or Sting Rays group do they need to bring money for the field trip?
They need to bring a lunch or have money to buy lunch. They can bring additional money, however we are not responsible for lost money.
If my child is in the Sea Otters or Sting Rays group what do they need to bring to the overnight?
Campers need to bring the following:
Backpack
Sleeping bag – This needs to be an outdoor sleeping bag as it gets cold on Angel Island at night. Your child’s old Transformer or Hello Kitty sleeping bag will not cut it.
Sleeping pad (optional)
Small tent (optional)
Warm clothing including a warm jacket (gloves and hat would be good, too)
Change of clothes (socks, underwear, pants, shirts, sweatshirt)
Comfortable shoes for hiking
Flashlight with working batteries
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick, sunscreen
Water bottle
Medication, if needed, in original container
Also, have them bring their swimsuit and beach towel for kayaking on Friday.
Keep in Mind: Your child will be hiking about two miles, backpacking style, with all their own personal gear to our campsite. Keep in mind, that it’s wise to pack lightly and wisely and to bring only necessities. It is not necessary to bring a tent as many of us will be camping on tarps under the stars. However, campers are invited to bring their own small tent if they choose.
Electronic devices are not allowed.
If my child is in the Sea Otters or Sting Rays group do they have to go on the field trip or overnight?
No. That is completely up to you. If it is a week where there is a field trip they can go to a normal day of camp, however, they will be with the younger campers. Also, they might find that they wished they had gone on the trip when all the other campers come back talking about how much fun they had.
Harry Potter Camp FAQs
What is a typical day like?
There is no “typical day” at HP Camp. One day may be a potions lesson and the next day Quidditch. Each day “students” will come in and check their owl mail. Beyond that the activities vary from day to day.
Does my child need to be familiar with all the books and movies?
No. As long as they are familiar with the world of harry Potter, however limited that may be, they will enjoy this camp.
How do I make sure my child is in Gryffindor?
At Hogwarts Americana the houses are Ebredor and Firesong. Gryffindor is at the Hogwarts in Britain.
Are snacks provided?
Yes. Have you ever had a Bogey flavored jelly bean? Please, let us know if your child is allergic to anything.
Where is camp?
It is at Bel Aire school. See our Directions page for the address.
Should my child dress up?
If they do, they will earn their house extra points, but it’s not necessary.
Will you be playing Quidditch?
Of course.
Are there any potions that might be dangerous?
No. All the dangerous potions are for seventh year students.
What are the qualifications of the staff?
Professor Jackson (a.k.a. Moose) is a HP enthusiast. In fact, you’ll catch him at the opening nights of the Harry Potter movies. Professor Jackson has been in the camping and recreation game for many, many years. Professionally, he teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts and occasionally referees Quidditch matches. On his off time he dabbles in potion making and training for the annual Wizard Challenge USA.
What are other parents saying about Harry Potter Camp?
“This was my son’s favorite camp, he loved every minute of it. He can’t wait to do it again next summer. Thanks to a fantastic staff, both teachers were great with all the kids.”
“Thank you for creating a magical summer week for my boys. They were mesmerized by the camp, came home and studied every night and found the whole thing to be the best part of their summer camp experience to date…This was just so unique, so filled with mystery, fantasy, positive messages and pure joy for 2 HP fans and diehards. Thank you again for making their dreams come true. You poured what we know was a tremendous amount of effort, love and energy into a memorable week for our children. They will never forget it. We are grateful to people like you who help to celebrate the magic of childhood.”