Dear Galileo community,
It is our presidential inauguration week, providing a long-needed change in the leadership of our country. This change seems emblematic of the many hopes we all share as we arrive at the one year mark since COVID-19 rocked our world. As an organization that serves families, we want to convey our respect for all of you who have juggled work, quarantine, the upended lives and rhythms of kids, and some and some for whom the coronavirus has meant the hurt and loss of loved ones.
Galileo also faced a difficult year. We canceled our in-person camp programs, made difficult choices about lay-offs and furloughs of our people, and had to grapple with how we’d make it through to the other side as an organization. But we made it, and we’re so grateful for the community of families, partners, and staff members who have stuck with us through the twists and turns of 2020.
We were thrilled to deliver live online classes for 10,000 children. We served hundreds of kids in their backyards through our at-home programs, and were able to provide value to tens of thousands who have used the free resources we created during the pandemic.
And now, as we enter our 20th year as an organization, we’re thrilled to announce that we will launch enrollment for in-person Camp Galileo programs, following COVID-safe guidelines, at many locations on January 25, with others to follow soon after.
We understand that it might be hard to imagine enrolling in summer camps when COVID remains so present in our lives. Yet all of us parents know how amazing it will be to get kids creating together again (at a distance!). So we’ve made many modifications to our camps and policies to create COVID-safe programs that allow for worry-free sign up, while still delivering on our mission to develop young innovators in a joyful environment.
COVID-Safe Camp Operations
Our CDC-compliant plan is designed to keep every member of the Galileo community safe.
- Campers will be grouped in stable cohorts of 10 – 12 kids with two dedicated staffers.
- Kids and staff will wear masks and maintain a minimum of six feet distance.
- We’re reducing daily contact through staggered drop off and pick up and a minimum of 15 feet between camper groups.
- Kids will bring their own snacks and lunch to camp.
- We’ve developed new camper and staff screening, sanitation and handwashing protocols, and staff safety training.
You can learn more about our comprehensive COVID-19 plan here.
Flexible Enrollment Process
Galileo’s 2021 enrollment, transfer and cancellation policies keep summer planning stress-free.
- Families have the option to reserve their place at camp with a 25% deposit, with a bigger than ever early bird discount available through February 15, 2021. With COVID-protocols limiting site capacity, we encourage you to get a spot now and rest assured that you can always cancel later.
- Flexibility for you to transfer or cancel as you wish.
- Full refund If you cancel prior to May 1, 2021, less a $25 processing fee for each session you cancel.
- 100% credit less a $25 processing fee for each canceled session between May 1, 2021 and up to seven (7) business days prior to your camp start date
- No credit or refunds for cancellations within seven business days of the camp start date.
- In the event Galileo needs to cancel as a result of COVID mandates, receive a 90% refund and 10% credit; if we cancel for any other reason, receive a 100% refund
These were the basics that we knew we needed in place to serve our communities. But beyond these, the thing we are most excited about is creating an opportunity for kids to rediscover the joys of summer and to return to the fun of creating and playing together.
On January 25th, we’ll launch enrollment for three terrific themes at all of the Camp Galileo communities that we can. We will be finalizing specific sites in our different locations on a rolling basis as those are confirmed. We’ll keep you posted.
Imagine for a second: It’s June. You pull up the car for drop off at camp, and a staffer with a huge grin and a chicken hat waves you into the parking lot. There is music and a child runs giggling through a fun machine and into camp. Kids are safe and distanced. They are playing games, sharing their work and their ideas with others and with the staff that have missed them so much for the past year. Everyone is making up for lost time.
It’s right around the corner, and we can’t wait to see you there.
In gratitude,
Glen Tripp
Founder & CEO
