Stacy Raye, one of our cherished Founding Director's passed away on Feb 17, 2011.  She left an amazing legacy and will be missed.  Stacy will live on in those of us touched by her brilliant spirit. We will surely be "talking story" about her in coming summers. 

Heather Mitchell

Hello everyone!  I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and spent summers in the Catskill Mountains in upstate NY.  The treasured memories of the natural world, fun with a community of children, and learning from an intergenerational mix of people help inform the space we create at Monkey Business Camp.  I have lived in the Bay Area for 20 years, teaching children, ages 2-10 at Step One School and the New School of Berkeley after studying at Oberlin College in Ohio.  Current interests include hiking, wildlife spotting, yoga (I am a certified Kundalini yoga teacher), music, dancing, and being with my amazing friends.  I am so thankful for all of the wonderful Monkey Business and Girls on the Go Camp memories and look forward to making more this summer!
Stacy was born on December 15, 1960 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. At the age of 11 Stacy saw the movie “Auntie Mame” and fashioned her life around Mame’s dictum “Live, Live, Live”.  She is survived by her cherished partner of 18 years, Heather Mitchell, her mother, Nancy O’Connor, sister Sally Raye McGrew (Frank), niece Sarah McGrew, chosen family Mary Lynn Morales and Karen Rothblatt, and a world of wonderful friends.  Stacy modeled for all the meaning of courage in dealing with the outrage of cancer.  She grew up in Sacramento, attending Crocker-Riverside School, St Francis Middle School, Bishop Monogue High School.  She graduated from UC Berkeley.  Stacy worked with children in some capacity all her life, including teaching ASL, pre-school at Step-One in Berkeley and founding, with her partner, Monkey Business and Girls on the Go Camps 13 years ago.  She loved Shakespeare, and theater in general, poetry (e.e. cummings was a favorite), children's literature, especially Dr. Seuss, Margaret Mahy, William Steig, and James Marshall, dancing to live music, and anything that supported a fun loving, justice filled world.  Stacy was an intrepid traveler.  From the exotic streets of Bangkok to the highlands of Nepal, she found wonder and meaning. 

Stacy with Girls on the Go Camp Counselors
Heather & Stacy with JCs and Counselor at Tilden Park
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Heather playing a Trust Game with a camper at Girls on the Go

 


Stacy with Girls on the Go Campers at the park