On December 26, in that strange, in-between space where wrapping paper lingers and champagne waits in the wings, I sat down with Chancellor Lyons to talk about the Lair. We met at the University House in Berkeley, the foyer of which, with a hard squint, could resemble a profoundly polished version of the Camp Gold Lodge in Pinecrest, on a good day.
There was a casualness to our conversation, the kind that comes when two people share the same place. I asked ten questions, hoping to see the Lair the way Chancellor Lyons does: through the eyes of a camper, a father, a leader, and someone who gets how the worlds of the Lair and Berkeley twist together.
Chancellor Lyons, who’s known for carrying his guitar around camp, shared his personal stories, reflected on how the Lair fuels Cal spirit, and offered some words of wisdom for the staffers and campers to come. Dressed in his Lair sweatshirt, he gave a quick nod to Top Dog Tuesday lunch and a shoutout to “Hail to California.”
Note: Chancellor Lyons’s responses have been revised for simplicity and smoothness.
First, could you tell me a little about your family’s relationship with the Lair?
My kids grew up going to the Lair. My brother, who’s seven years older than I am, went to Cal, and that was my introduction to Berkeley. I was an undergrad here, and then I came back in the early ’90s as a faculty member. I was a guest speaker at the Lair and brought my family up, and they just loved it—as did I. The guest speaker thing was kind of my way in.
Do you have a favorite Lair story to tell?
Oh my gosh, there are just so many for us. Last summer, I was at the Lair for an event toward the end of the week. It was July, so the announcement had just been made that I was the new Chancellor. I was sharing a beer with a camper, and he said to me, ‘Thank you for working retail.’ By that, he meant, ‘Thank you for being among us.’ It was such a fun phrase—‘working retail.’ But what really stood out was the connection. I was excited to be directly engaged with people, and it seemed like he felt the same.
How would you describe the Lair’s role in strengthening the broader Cal community?
It’s the communal moments that stand out—the shows, the staffers, people like you or my daughter Nicole, who’s been a staffer for the last couple of summers. It’s the events, the singing, and those shared experiences that create such a strong sense of connection. Especially around meals, like dinner, and the evening events. Singing those songs we’ve heard so many times, surrounded by a group of people who’ve come together—that’s it. That’s the heart of it. It’s emotional, being part of something that ties you to a larger community.
As a parent watching your daughter work on staff, what surprised or impressed you most about the Lair community?
Part of it was just seeing how much she grew from the experience—I think that’s true of a lot of the staffers. In her first year, Nicole worked in the Camp Gold Store. We grew up going to Camp Blue, but she was at Gold, and she really had to take responsibility for it. Often, she was working there independently, and I loved watching her grow and recognize her growth. I would see her think, ‘I’ve got this.’ And of course, the staffers are always supporting each other every step of the way—whether someone needed coverage or had to cover for someone else, there was always someone there.
If I could add one more story. Jen, my wife, and I were at home while Nicole was on staff last summer. It wasn’t the week we were at the Lair. A call came in late—Jen’s phone was on Do Not Disturb, but Nicole’s number was set to break through. So, at three or four in the morning, the phone rang. Jen picked up, and I listened in. It was Nicole, calling to let us know that she and her fellow staffers had just reached the top of El Capitan. She wanted to share that moment with her mother. That was such a lovely moment—just a great moment.
What would you tell a Berkeley student considering applying to work at the Lair?
I think the breadth of experiences at the Lair is incredible. There are so many different things people can get plugged into. For the kids who love being around younger kids, there are roles tailored to that. For those who are more athletic, there’s a place for them. And for people who are oriented toward arts or music—there’s something for everyone. Music is my thing when I’m at the Lair, so I’ve always appreciated that variety.
Another thing that comes through strongly is the emphasis on building connections. A lot of families come through the Lair, and that creates so many opportunities. As you think about the next summer or even the following year, internships and things like that, you realize just how much relationship capital you build at the Lair. One piece of advice is to be intentional about building those relationships. Many of them will form naturally, of course. But if you approach certain connections with a bit more intention, you can expand your opportunities moving forward.
What tips would you give new campers about packing and preparing for their first Lair experience?
Bring your Cal gear, bring some lights, and deck out your tent. There’s so much you can do to make it feel like your own, to give it a personal signature.
Another thing to think about is: What are the things you never seem to have enough time for? Because at the Lair, you finally have time. For me, it’s music and playing the guitar. Most summers, I’d connect with the Music Director and get a private lesson. I did that last summer, learned a bunch of new things, and was practicing them just today. What you get from the Lair sticks: a six-month-later benefit.
I think it’s about being intentional. Not in the sense of ‘What do you hope to achieve in a week?’ but more like, ‘What are you passionate about?’ I read a phrase in a book the other day that talked about nourishing one’s soul. How might the Lair help you nourish your soul? If you think about that a bit in advance, you’ll show up feeling more ready to lean in.
What have you learned about Berkeley’s unique culture and community from your time at the Lair? Has it influenced your leadership approach?
I think part of stepping into a role like this is recognizing the generational aspect of it. At the Lair, you see all these generations, and they’re all so well represented, from the youngest to the oldest. Each one has its own piece of the story.
That’s Berkeley, too. The Berkeley community encompasses the whole stack of generations. When I’m on campus, I might connect with current students at a football game or attend an alumni event. In those settings, I’m mostly interacting with just one generation’s perspective at a time. But at the Lair, all generations are present together.
You can see this in action at the shows and meals. Some people have been coming to the Lair for 30 or 40 years and you think, ‘Wow, these people are really rooted here.’ Then you have the five and ten-year-olds running around, having the time of their lives. It’s that kaleidoscope of generations all involved, all in one place, that makes the Lair so unique.
How would you describe the culture? Is there, like, any adjective that you think all these intergenerational Lair campers embody?
I’m kind of a nut for culture. When we talk about defining it, we often think of it as the shared behaviors, norms, and values that a group adopts together.
One of the things that stands out about Berkeley is its commitment to the public good. When you consider the scale at which Berkeley educates, no private university can compare, and no public university matches the quality of our research. Berkeley is truly one-of-a-kind.
What I get a sense of at the Lair is this unique Berkeley spirit; it’s in the songs, the interactions, and the support people show each other at places like Creekside. It’s like, ‘Wow, these people are fully connected, open, and appreciating one another.’
We sometimes use the phrase ‘beyond yourself,’ which points to this deep sense of stewardship for something larger. And I think that stewardship, so deeply embedded in Berkeley’s DNA, isn’t something you find everywhere. Sure, many universities claim to be committed to a greater cause, but Berkeley, as a public university, truly lives out its mission in a distinct way. You can see that reflected in the culture at the Lair.
What do you think makes the bonds formed at the Lair so lasting and meaningful?
Being away from the routine of everyday life is part of the experience, but the repetition is key. You’re locked into a week every year, and each time, you see the same families and reconnect in familiar ways. We used to play frisbee golf with the same group; it’s a small, silly tradition, but something you look forward to every summer.
It’s this repetition that helps you be more intentional about what a week in nature can do for you and how to make the most of it. I can’t tell you how many solo walks I’ve taken to Pinecrest Lake, just cruising around. Those were some of the most productive thinking times I’ve had, just being out there, reflecting. I don’t get that kind of time often.
What opportunities do you see for expanding the Lair’s impact on Berkeley’s community?
I think that connecting faculty to the Lair is so important. I remember being there before Nicole joined the staff and meeting other faculty members who are still close friends. Expanding faculty involvement and integrating more parts of the university could help the Lair represent all of Berkeley. It would also be interesting to get my senior leadership team and UC Berkeley trustees to experience the Lair firsthand. It’s not easy, but it could strengthen connections across the university.
What I get a sense of at the Lair is this unique Berkeley spirit; it’s in the songs, the interactions, and the support people show each other at places like Creekside. It’s like, ‘Wow, these people are fully connected, open, and appreciating one another.’
—Chancellor Rich Lyons
As Berkeley grows and changes—and, of course, keeps bringing home the axe—the Lair remains steady, like an anchor, holding us in place. It’s that quiet reminder of what really matters: community, connection, reflection.
After chatting with Chancellor Lyons, it’s clear that just as Berkeley is bigger than a school, the Lair is bigger than a campfire and some trees.
It’s where countless corners of the Cal community come together. It’s where you feed your passions, where you step beyond your everyday, and where you invest in the relationships that will shape both your personal and professional futures.
It’s where you walk trails, watch clouds, and ‘work retail.’ It’s about time—time spent outside, time with family, time with friends, time with yourself.
The Lair is a cornerstone of the Berkeley experience, where community isn’t just a buzzword, but something you eat, sing, and breathe.
