Be part of nearly a century of Berkeley tradition
Explore our camps for all ages, families and various interests at Echo Lake, where the City of Berkeley continues decades of traditions amidst the beauty of the High Sierras.
Our programs at Echo Lake include family camp, youth camp, adult camp, 50+ camp, and our High Alpine program. We also offer programs like artist-in-residence, guest chef, volunteer work weekends and a counselor in training program. We offer scholarships.
Explore our Echo Lake Camp website, see what might be of interest to you and your household - and sign up!
Family Camp
Berkeley residents interested in Family Camp can register starting Monday Jan. 13, 2020 at 9 a.m. Fill out our registration form and come down to our office:
City of Berkeley Recreation Administration Office
2701 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 981-5140, camps@cityofberkeley.info
Our full service Family Camp season - which blends both Echo Lake and Berkeley Tuolumne family camp cultures - begins June 20th and concludes on July 17th. Come for as little or as long as you would like. See the registration form, schedules, calendar, and fees on the Family Camp website.
Echo Lake Family Camp offers a regular daily activity schedule, including basketball, volleyball, bocce ball, disc-golf, canoeing, archery, and swimming. Camp facilities include a nature center, recreation lodge, built in 1922, a dining hall where campers can enjoy excellent company and delicious meals, and of course, a green chair circle with an incredible view of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Youth Camps
Our Youth Camp program offers round-trip charter bus transportation to and from Berkeley, and an action packed week of supervised activities for youth 7 to 14 years-old.
Echo Lake Youth Camp offers five sessions:
- two seven-day sessions that run Monday through Sunday
- three five-day sessions that run Monday through Friday.
Registration, and additional information about these programs is available online, as is the scholarship application. Youth Camp registration opens on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 9am.
Other Camps
Other camps at Echo Lake include our preseason and postseason 'High Alpine' program, a reduced fee relaxing mountain getaway for campers who want to experience Camp during quieter times of year, as well as two Volunteer Work Weekends, a Counselor-In-Training (CIT) program, and three adult camping sessions in August. There will also be the return of our Artist-In-Residence and Guest Chef programs.
Berkeley residents can start to register for Family camp at 9am at the Recreation Administration Office, at 2701 Telegraph Ave. Non-Berkeley resident's registration begins Friday, January 17 at 9am at the same location
- Youth Camp and Counselor-In-Training registration will open January 15, 2020.
- Adult Camp program registration, including the new 'Club Echo' session, as well as our popular 50+ Camp sessions, opens on Monday, February 11 at 9am.
See our Echo Lake Camps site for more information. Register online for Counselor-in-Training.
Scholarships
Full scholarships are available for the Family Camp, Youth Camp, and Counselor-In-Training Programs.
Echo Lake Camp provided scholarships reducing costs for more than 200 campers to attend Echo Lake Family Camp, Youth Camp, and Counselor-In-Training Programs. Scholarships are available based upon financial need. For more information about scholarships for a variety of City recreation programs, see our scholarship application.
Learn more about all of the programs available at Echo Lake Camp in Summer 2020, you can call the Recreation Office at 981-5140 or visit the City of Berkeley Echo Lake Camp Website.
History of Echo Lake Camps
Straddling the Pacific Crest Trail and just minutes from Echo Lake and Desolation Wilderness, Berkeley Echo Lake campers will be treated to an amazing alpine camping experience. Echo Lake Camp boasts incredible views and excellent outdoor recreation opportunities for all ages. Whether exploring the beautiful environment at Echo Lake or taking part in traditional programs, songs, camp arts & crafts, and activities, campers will continue nearly a century of Berkeley camp tradition.
