Unitarian Universalist Day Camp
Location:
Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley
1 Lawson Rd
Kensington, CA
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm
Pricing:
Camper: $400/week
CIT: $200/week
Have questions? Send us an email:
kathryn@uucb.org
“It’s a blessing you were born and it matters what you do,
what you know about God is a piece of the truth,
let the beauty you love be what you do,
and you don’t have to do it alone”
Curriculum Overview
Join us this summer as we explore our UU history and identity. Over the course of the week, we will explore four theological statements – it’s a blessing we were born, it matters what we do with our lives, what each of us knows about God is a peace of the truth, and we don’t have to do it alone. We’ll examine these statements explicitly during a morning session of worship, but all our activities throughout the day work to bring these concepts alive.
Camp Details
Chalice Camp is designed for kids entering 1st through entering 6th grades. Children will be divided into three or four circle groups, each led by a counselor and assisted by a counselor-in-training (CIT). The groups are by age and range in size from 4 – 12 kids. This means much of the curricular content happens in groups of a similar age, though kids get plenty of free play time that encourages fun across the age groups.
Camp in 2026 will be held on the UUCB campus in Kensington with some afternoons spent playing at nearby Arlington Park and Camp Herms. We’ll enjoy robust nature activities, do guided art projects, play classic outdoor games, and cook in the church’s industrial kitchen. Most of all, Chalice Camp offers children plenty of time for imaginative free play and values-based learning.
One of the great highlights of Chalice Camp is the number of campers who return year after year to serve as counselors. Experienced high school youth cultivate safe spaces for children to learn and grow. Middle school students serve as counselors in training (CIT) and assist with snack, art, and group activities. Chalice Camp offers an important leadership development opportunity for young people.
We aim to be an inclusive community by recognizing that all children come to camp with diverse backgrounds and therefore different needs. We make space for children to be themselves.
We believe that Chalice Camp and religious education is as important as soccer camp or horse camp and so charge near-market rates. We also understand that each family has their own financial considerations, and therefore we do provide scholarships on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Rev. Kathryn Jay if you want to ask for financial aid.
Sample Day
Leadership
Our East Bay Chalice Camp is lead by Rev. Kathryn Jay and Rev. Marcus Leifert. Learn about them more below.
Rev. Kathryn Jay
Rev. Kathryn Jay serves the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (UUCB) community as the Minister of Congregational Life, where she delights in
having a JETPIG on her desk and helping people across all ages find their own spiritual path. Before joining the UUCB staff, she taught high school for many years and, most recently, ran youth and family programs – and summer camp – for Urban Adamah, a Jewish farm in Berkeley.
Rev. Marcus Liefert
Rev. Marcus Liefert (he/him) was one of the inaugural Chalice Camp counselors as a high schooler. His passion for building playful and nourishing community is at its peak when the joy of summer camp and the values of Unitarian Universalism collide. He serves as the Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Berkeley and is thrilled to support Unitarian Universalism thriving in the Bay Area by helping to lead Chalice Camp this year.
