Camp Spotlight: Camp Galileo
Camp Galileo is an award-winning summer program for rising Kindergarten – 8th graders with convenient locations across Southern California (plus Northern California, Chicago and Denver). At Galileo camps, kids dive into daily art, science and outdoor challenges that build their creative confidence and ignite their inner innovator.
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Camp Spotlight: Camp Galileo
Tell us about your Summer Camp
After a long year of distance learning and online hangouts, we know kids are ready for some real-life, screen-free, honest-to-goodness summer fun.At Camp Galileo, kids tackle engaging hands-on projects, play irresistible outdoor games and participate in silly traditions that inspire new friendships and create lasting memories. But beyond traditional summer camp fun, every Galileo activity is carefully crafted to deliver lasting, transformative learning. As kids play, our proven curriculum and experienced, energetic staff help them master the innovation skills—creative problem solving, courageous risk taking, persistence in the face of failure (and many more!)—that they’ll need to thrive. From a parent perspective, we’re making summer camp planning easier than ever in 2021 with worry-free enrollment, transfer and cancellation policies, plus an option to reserve your spot with a refundable deposit. We also offer optional extended care from 3 – 6pm.
Learn more here: https://galileo-camps.com/our-camps/flexibility-and-worry-free
Describe a typical day at camp
From the moment kids run through the fun machine (the streamer-lined entry to camp), the joy is non-stop. Every day begins with team time, when campers play games and build bonds with their cohort and group leader. Then there are three inspiring rotations where kids design and engineer awesome projects and play active games that hone their innovation skills, nurture social development and deliver the big summer fun they crave. Campers spend most of their time outside, with regular breaks for snacks, lunch and handwashing. By check-out, they’re blissfully wiped out and ready to gush all the way home about their insanely fun day.Campers are divided into four age groups—rising K (Nebulas), rising 1st and 2nd grade (Stars), rising 3rd – 5th grade (Supernovas) and rising 6th – 8th grade (Meteors)—organized in small, stable cohorts led by one or two dedicated staffers. Our age groups are designed to deliver the perfect balance of challenge and fun at every level, plus give campers plenty of opportunities to laugh, play and create alongside kids their own age.Each week at camp brings an exciting new experience, with activities organized around a different captivating theme. In 2021, campers can join the triumphant fun of the Galileo Olympic Games, take an epic National Parks Adventure and get engaged in playful projects in our Toy Makers Workshop.
Learn more here: https://galileo-camps.com/our-camps/summer-camp-galileo/
What is your camp best known for?
We are known for the Galileo Innovation Approach, or GIA, which is our proprietary, three-part educational framework. Thoughtfully designed to nurture the innovative potential in each camper and inspired by the teachings at Stanford’s d.school, the GIA helps kids develop a mindset that promotes innovative work, knowledge that guides breakthrough thinking and a process that supports transforming their ideas into reality.We believe that kids who have the skills to turn their ideas into reality—the essence of innovation—are happier, more creative and more confident when faced with life’s challenges. That’s why we’re so committed to bringing the GIA to our families and communities.
Please describe your COVID protocols and precautions
As we welcome campers and staff back to camp in 2021, safety is our top priority. Our comprehensive, evolving COVID-19 plan is designed to protect every member of the Galileo community in an on-site environment that minimizes risk and maximizes fun.Our safety plan includes small camper cohorts with consistent staff members, extensive staff safety training, daily camper and staff health screenings, masking and distancing protocols, careful contact reduction and regular handwashing and sanitizing. Kids will check in and out on a staggered schedule and spend 75% the day outdoors.
See more comprehensive safety information here: https://galileo-camps.com/our-camps/safety/
What do campers need to bring with them to camp?
- Campers should wear casual clothing that can get dirty, sneakers and a mask they’re comfortable wearing all day. They should arrive with sunscreen already applied and may want to bring a hat and additional sunscreen.
- Campers should bring a snack, lunch and a water bottle (plus a second snack for afternoon extended care, if needed).
- On water day, campers should wear bathing suits under their clothes and closed-toe shoes (water shoes are a great option) and bring a towel and extra sunscreen.
How do you give back to the community?
Every year, we award thousands of weeks of specially priced camp through our scholarship program. We believe that every child, regardless of resources, should have access to enriching educational programs. In 2021, Galileo will make thousands of weeks of camp available to more kids than ever through one of four Innovation For All programs: full or partial scholarships; discounts for government, education and non-profit workers; curriculum licensing programs; and school district partnerships.
What is one of your proudest moments?
It’s hard to pick just one! Over our 20 years delivering confidence-boosting, creativity-fueling programs to hundreds of thousands of kids, we’ve earned quite a few awards and accolades. In 2019, Parents’ Press named us top STEM camp, Bay Area Parent has named us Best Camp 12 times over the years and Oakland Magazine has named us Best Summer Camp three times. But we’re probably proudest of the enthusiastic praise our campers and their families give us—and that they keep coming back to our programs year after year. In fact, three of our 2021 camp directors started their Galileo careers as campers.
Enrollment is now open for Camp Galileo 2021. Explore our 50+ locations or learn more about our other innovative programs. Galileo Online offers engaging virtual experiences for pre-K – 8th graders, including school Break Camps, customized Parties and a weekly Innovator’s Club for pre-K – 3rd graders who want a regular occasion to create with friends. Galileo at Home brings Galileo learning and fun—complete with a dedicated staffer—to your home pod, on your schedule.
Camp Galileo
galileo-camps.com
800-854-3684
info@galileo-learning.com
