FAQ

As we welcome campers and staff back to camp in 2021, safety is our top priority. Our comprehensive COVID-19 plan is designed to protect every member of the Galileo community in an on-site environment that minimizes risk and maximizes fun.

Camper Cohorts

• Campers are grouped in stable cohorts.
• Each cohort is supervised by two consistent staff members that don’t interact with other cohorts.
• Cohorts stay separate from other cohorts both indoors (only one cohort per classroom at a time) and outdoors (distanced from other cohorts).
• Sharing of supplies will be limited as much as possible; any supplies shared within cohorts will be limited to a consistent pod of four campers and disinfected daily.

Safety Training

• All staff is First Aid and CPR certified
• Staff and families receive training regarding safety guidelines and expectations at camp
• Camps complete any state and county required safety planning, tools and/or certificates
• Camps post any state and county required signage

Health Screening

• Campers and staff complete daily health screenings before being admitted to camp
• Campers and staff that present with symptoms of infectious illness during the day will be sent home and asked to consult with their healthcare provider to determine if COVID-19 testing is recommended

Masking and Distancing

• All campers and staff wear masks when at camp (except when eating or drinking); we provide extra masks for staff and campers as needed
• All individuals at camp maintain a minimum of six feet of social distance between them, except to provide developmentally appropriate support or supervision (for example, a staffer applying first aid, helping a young camper open a snack, etc.)

Contact Reduction

• Staggered camper drop-off and pick-up schedule
• Campers bring their own snacks and lunch to camp
• Aside from one 70-minute indoor rotation, campers spend all of their time outdoors
• No all-camp gatherings, ceremonies or large group activities—though of course we’ll have lots of COVID-safe traditions, ceremonies and games within cohorts
• No use of outdoor playground equipment

Handwashing and Sanitizing

• Campers and staff practice frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing (before and after snack and lunch, between rotations, before and after using the restroom, after sneezing, etc.)
• We sanitize high-touch surfaces for indoor and outdoor classrooms between use by each cohort
• When supplies must be used by multiple cohorts, they will be disinfected between each cohort’s use

In order to ensure the safety of our staff and customers, we are recommending to our staff that they get vaccinated. We recognize it’s a privilege to be in a position to have vaccination priority and we are grateful that we are able to add one more layer of protection for staff, families, campers and their loved ones.

We take allergies very seriously. As part of the sign-up process, you’ll complete a detailed health history form with any information we should know about your camper’s allergies. We send this information to the staff at your camp location. Before camp begins, we welcome you to contact your Camp Director (we’ll send you contact information in early June) to talk through any concerns or specific instructions you may have.

All camp locations are nut-free. All staff members are trained on how to administer an EpiPen in the event of an emergency.

Our staff members are trained in how to recognize the signs of anaphylactic shock and administer an EpiPen, if needed. EpiPens brought to camp will remain with the camper and supervising staff member at all times.

While our camps aren’t specifically designed to accommodate special needs, a wide range of kids with special needs have had great experiences with us over the years. To help decide if our camps are right for you, please give our customer service team a call at 1-800-854-3684. We also welcome camper aides, but require all aides who attend camp to complete a background check before camp begins.

Chronic medical conditions like diabetes are typically able to be supported at camp. For more serious or specialized conditions, please email us at info@galileo-learning.com.

As part of our standard safety procedures, we maintain one of the lowest camper to staff ratios in California. During camp hours, it’s a maximum of 12:1. During programs, campers are organized into smaller groups or teams so that our staff can effectively maintain a watchful eye. Camp Galileo campers are never alone – even trips to the restroom happen with a buddy or group – and our staff is trained to take attendance every 15 minutes and during every transition.

We do everything we can to keep your campers safe, and we’re prepared to support them in the event of an injury. All staff on every campus are first-aid and CPR certified. We notify all parents about minor injuries (like scraped knees) during the check-out process every day. In the event of a more serious injury, we call 911 if needed, and notify the parents or guardians immediately.

Our staff goes through a rigorous interview process that includes: application, in-person interview, reference check, and criminal background check; and leadership team members will attend an additional one-on-one interview. Those that meet our standard of excellence – 15% of applicants on average – are invited to join the Galileo team. Once hired, all staff receives several hours of online training plus 2 full days of in-person training, followed by ongoing supervision and professional development provided by their Camp Director. But don’t just take our word for it! Over 98% of nearly 7,000 parents rated our staff highly on their post-camp survey.

You can learn more about Galileo’s staff, including selection and training, here.

Our staff is required to check for a photo ID and cross check it with the list of people that you have authorized to pick up your child. Please be prepared to bring your photo ID each day at check out.

Just like the school’s teachers during the school year, our staff is trained to approach all visitors to campus. Our staff also rehearses a lockdown process while setting up for camp, for use in the unlikely event that we’d need to shelter in place.

We have evacuation plans at each of our sites and camp staff is trained on what to do in the event of almost any emergency, including earthquakes, fire, airborne exposures, and much more.

We have received the Markel Safety 1st* award for over 10 years running. Keeping your camper physically and emotionally safe is, above all, our highest priority, and we have an excellent safety record that proves we’re serious.

*Markel’s Safety 1st program recognizes policyholders who have shown an exceptional commitment to the safety of their employees and customers. Camps and clubs must meet stringent criteria to quality for the Safety 1st designation. They must have a proven safety record, undergo formal assessments and inspections, and participate in continuing education and certification programs.

Pricing varies by location and program. Use camp finder to find your nearest camp and see pricing details.

We have camps throughout the Bay Area, Southern California, Chicagoland and Denver. Use our camp finder to find a location near you.

We are working hard to secure all of our locations for 2021, and as soon as we have confirmation from our final school location we will update all enrolled families. If we are allowing enrollments, we feel confident that we will offer a safe and convenient location option for that community, and will update those as soon as we can.

The balance of fun and learning is at the heart of what makes Galileo so great. Camp is bursting with joy and creativity, with exploration and adventure in both outdoor games and hands-on projects in the classrooms.

Learn more about what your camper’s day looks like:

• Pre K – 6th grades

Yes. Log in to your account and review your registration details. Check your camper’s emergency contacts and t-shirt size and confirm that you’ve signed up for lunch or extended care if you need it. If you see discrepancies or have questions, give our customer service team a call at 800-854-3684. If you’ve purchased lunch and would like to customize your camper’s menu, you must do so by 8 am the day before camp.

Campers should wear casual clothing that can get dirty and comfortable shoes for indoor and outdoor activities.

Campers should wear a mask that feel comfortable wearing all day.

Please pack your camper a snack, lunch and a water bottle (plus a second snack for afternoon extended care, if needed).

Campers should arrive with sunscreen already applied and may want to bring a hat and additional sunscreen.

Campers should show up with bathing suits under their clothes, closed toe shoes (water shoes are a great option), a towel, and sunscreen.

Creating inclusive and diverse communities and culture is deeply linked to achieving Galileo’s mission to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. We strive to design programs that take all campers and staff into account. That said, we will not always be able to accommodate each individual’s specific needs. Most common needs and/or potential challenges are often accounted for, and we know that every person and family is unique. We commit to providing transparency and support during your camp selection process and your week(s) at camp. This includes guiding you to make the best decision possible when choosing your camp program.

Camp Galileo is a great place for your tiny innovator in training. We design activities specifically suited for pre-K and kindergarten-aged campers (we call them Nebulas), surround them with staff who are experienced with this age group and work with them to develop teamwork skills—a great preparation for kindergarten. Campers are grouped exclusively with other kids their own age and enjoy a maximum of 8:1 camper-to-staff ratio

We currently offer only full day programming as we have found that most Nebula families prefer the full day offering and don’t want to miss a moment of camp!

If you don’t do any social planning in advance, don’t worry. Our group structure and stellar staff work all week to facilitate new friendships and make every camper feel safe and included

We maintain one of the lowest camper to staff ratios in California. During class time, it’s a maximum of 8:1 for entering Kindergarteners, and 10:1 for all other grades. During lunch and camp hours, we keep our ratio at 10:1 or smaller. During activity time, campers are organized into smaller groups or teams so that our staff can effectively maintain a watchful eye. Camp Galileo campers are never alone—even trips to the restroom happen with a buddy or group—and our staff is trained to take attendance every 15 minutes and during every transition.

Log in to your account and review your registration details. Check your camper’s emergency contacts and t-shirt size, and confirm that you’ve signed up for lunch or extended care if you need it. If you see discrepancies or have questions, email us at info@galileo-learning.com. If you’ve purchased lunch and would like to customize your camper’s menu, you’ll need to do so by 8 am the day before camp.

Learn About First Time Galileo Families

SHOULD I SEND MY PRESCHOOLER TO CAMP?
Camp Galileo is a great place for your tiny innovator in training. We design activities specifically suited for pre-K and kindergarten-aged campers (we call them Nebulas), surround them with staff who are experienced with this age group and work with them to develop teamwork skills, a great preparation for kindergarten. Campers are grouped exclusively with other kids their own age and enjoy a maximum of 8:1 camper-to-staff ratio.

Nebulas must be entering kindergarten in the fall or turning 5 by December 1st.

Definitely. You can submit friend requests if campers are in the same age group as part of the sign-up process. While we’ll try to group your camper with as many friends as possible. All grouping requests need to be submitted a week before camp begins. 

If you don’t do any social planning in advance, don’t worry. Our group structure and stellar staff work all week to facilitate new friendships and make every camper feel safe and included.

Don’t forget about our Refer a Friend program — click here to learn more.

As our curriculum and activities are designed specifically for each age level, we strongly discourage aging your camper up or down to be with a sibling.

At Camp Galileo, we group campers by grade in four groups—pre-K (Nebulas), Kinder and 1st (Stars), 2nd and 3rd (Supernovas), and entering 4tth through 5th grades (Meteors) —and carefully customize our curriculum for each group. Campers are also grouped by hours attending, so extended care families are grouped together to maintain cohorts.

We offer extended care everyday from 3PM-6PM.

Your kids will have a blast long after the regular camp day ends in our extended care program. Signing up for extended care is a simple part of the camp sign-up process. If you’ve already signed up for camp and want to add extended care to your order, log in to your account, click “Add Extended Care” next to your camper’s name, select your camp program and click the “Extended Care” box or boxes for the weeks you want to add extended care.

Learn more about how they’ll spend their extended care time.

Yes. Every year, we award thousands of weeks of specially priced camp through our scholarship program. Apply on our Scholarships page.

Help us make camp a reality for all with a donation to our assistance fund. Make a non-tax-deductible donation by adding it to your camp purchase when you check out, or click here to make a donation at any time.

Transfers to a different session or location are free at any time. You may transfer up until seven days before the start of the registered camp session, pending space availability. Just contact our team at (800) 854-3684 or send us an email at info@galileo-learning.com.

Any cancellations requested for Camp Galileo Summer Sessions prior to May 1st will be granted a full refund, less a $25 cancellation fee per session canceled.

After May 1st, any cancellations requested will receive a 100% Galileo credit to be used for future camp sessions, minus a $25 processing fee per session canceled.

No credits or refunds will be offered for cancellations requested within seven days of the start of your session.

In the event Galileo needs to cancel as a result of COVID mandates, you will receive a 90% refund and 10% credit.

If we cancel for any other reason, you can choose between a 100% refund to the original payment method, or a 100% credit that can be used through August 31, 2023.

If we cancel in the middle of a weekly session due to state, county, or school health orders or mandates, you will receive a prorated credit based on the number of days cancelled in that week that can be used through August 31, 2023.

If the camp week you want to enroll in or transfer to is already full, you can join the waitlist online or by emailing us at info@galileo-learning.com. There is no cost to join a waitlist, and no obligation to enroll once you’re on it.

If space opens up and you’re next on the list, we’ll send an email letting you know. You’ll have three business days to enroll for that session. If you don’t enroll during that timeframe, we’ll email the next family on the list to offer them the open spot.

Our online Innovator’s Club for Kindergarten – 5th graders delivers the fun, Galileo-style learning kids love on a convenient, weekly schedule that operates during the school year. Each week, kids engage in an imagination-sparking, hands-on project while building authentic connections with their peers. This will be a small, consistent group (no more than 12 kids) led by an experienced, enthusiastic Galileo instructor!

Club projects are thoughtfully designed by Galileo’s in-house team of educators, artists, engineers, designers and makers to develop kids’ innovation skills over time—igniting their curiosity and building lasting creative confidence along the way.

Galileo Innovator’s Club serves kids Kindergarten through 5th grade in three groups differentiated by age:

Kindergarten – 1st grade
2nd – 3rd grade
4th – 5th grade

We do not have Club groups for 6th-8th graders at this time. If you would like to see us age-up our club offerings, drop us a line to let us know: info@galileo-learning.com. We do offer virtual break camps and customized parties and hangouts with age-specific projects for 6th-8th graders.

Club session lengths vary by age-group.

Kindergarten – 1st grade: 75 min
2nd – 3rd grade: 90 min
4th – 5th grade: 90 min

By including a mix of fun rituals, team-building games, introduction and practice of new skills, exciting challenges and time to share and reflect, each session is thoughtfully designed to joyfully engage kids from the moment they connect straight through to the end of the session.

Each class will have its own materials list shared via email in your Monthly Innovator’s Club Guide. Our intention is to use items that you may already have at home or that are easily sourced at a grocery, craft or big-box store. Think craft materials like cardboard, markers, construction paper, straws, rubber bands, tape etc. or common toys like legos, marbles or balls. All materials lists include alternates where appropriate.

To help your child keep track of their supplies and stay organized, we recommend that you set aside a bag or bin to keep all your Innovator’s Club materials to avoid any last-minute scrambling!

Download and create a Zoom account in advance of class, and make sure to test your sound and camera before logging in. You will need a consistent Internet connection as well as a working webcam and microphone.

Once you’ve set up the account, make sure that the name on the screen reflects the child/children participating to help introduce them to the class and the instructor.

Galileo Innovator’s Club is for kids and we make an effort to develop the activities so that children can participate independently and so their grown-ups can take a much needed break.

That said, for children in Kindergarten and 1st grade, we recommend an adult stay in earshot to assist, if needed—at least for the first few sessions.

And rest assured, all of our seasoned Galileo Online instructors are highly trained and experienced Galileo staffers. All Zoom sessions are recorded for training and safety purposes.

Innovator’s club membership comes with a wide range of benefits.

Direct Benefits:

• Convenient after-school schedule seamlessly fits into your week whether school is remote or in-person
• Powerful, educational enrichment sparks creativity and rekindles joy in learning (especially in this challenging school year when art and science content may be limited)
• Cool design and engineering projects that keep kids busy and engaged for hours (and days!) after class—all made from easy-to-find household materials.
• Led by experienced, enthusiastic instructors who get to know each camper and nurture authentic connections between children
• Nothing like most school zooms—the screen melts away and kids have authentic hands-on fun
• Thoughtful, robust curriculum that unfolds over time and ignites the innovator in every kid
• Gives busy grown-ups a much needed break when kids will be happy and engaged for 1-2 hours each week
• Provides an opportunity for kids to have a safe playdate with friends they already know or to make new friends

Regular Communications:
We hope to partner with your family in raising an innovator and provide ongoing support and tools including:

• Welcome to the Club—Upon finalizing your membership you will receive an emailed welcome package with confirmation of your club date and time, details about your membership perks and discounts, Club guidelines and suggestions for how to get the most out of your membership, tips for raising an innovator and more
• Monthly Club Guide—Each month we’ll email you a guide to the upcoming months activities. This will include descriptions of the weekly projects with materials lists, inspiring articles and resources to keep your kids busy and innovating, and a survey for sharing feedback on your experience (so we can keep innovating and improving the Club)
• Weekly Club Updates—After each week’s session look for an email that will help you engage more deeply with your child on their club experience and get ready for the next week. These updates include: a refresher of the week’s project, a list of the innovation skills addressed, conversation starters/ questions to ask, suggestions for extension activities and a reminder of the materials needed for the next week’s class.

All Club Members:

• Access to our robust, video-based project library with dozens of engaging, imagination-sparking challenges to keep kids busy and innovating outside of Innovator’s Club meetings: rainy days, weekends, or any time they’re looking for a fun project
• 10% VIP discount on other Galileo programs (not combinable with other discounts except refer-a-friend)
• Members-only newsletter with conversation starters, project extensions, bonus activities and tips for cultivating innovation at home

Additional benefits for 6-month members:

• 15% VIP discount on other Galileo programs (not combinable with other discounts except refer-a-friend)
• Exclusive Galileo Innovator’s Notebook to inspire and record your creative endeavors

Additional benefits for 12-month members:

• 20% VIP discount on other Galileo programs (not combinable with other discounts except refer-a-friend)
•  Zoom, Fly, Bolt, Blast STEAM Handbook co-authored by Galileo with 18 fun, camp-tested & approved innovation projects

Choose a monthly, 6- or 12-month membership and join here.

After enrolling you will receive an email including a link to a form to select your child’s club day and time. Complete the form ASAP to finalize your membership.

For a seamless experience, your monthly membership automatically renews on the first Monday of each month unless you cancel.

For 6- and 12-month memberships, at the end of your membership period, your membership will convert to a monthly membership and will automatically renew at the monthly rate. You may purchase a new 6 or 12 month membership at any time.

New members always start during the first full week of the month (the week that includes the first Monday of the month). This maintains consistent cohorts for at least one month at a time, supports intentional integration of new members into the group and facilitates scheduling multi-week projects.

Currently, we support new member sign ups up to two months in advance. (For example, in January 2021 you will see membership start dates for February and March 2021.) Additional start dates will be added throughout the year.

Pending availability, you may transfer to a different club day and time slot at no charge beginning the first week of a new month. To transfer, contact our Customer Support Team, at least 7 business days before the start of your next month’s session—by phone: 800-854-3684, by email: info@galileo-learning.com.

Galileo Innovator’s Club operates year-round with short recesses corresponding to select holidays and school breaks. In 2021 we will not operate during the weeks beginning: March 29, May 31, August 30, November 22 and December 27. Additionally, the program will be paused over the summer months June, July, August. Sessions will resume the following September.

To keep innovating during club recesses see our Galileo Online Break Camp offerings.

Other than the four weeks listed above, Innovator’s Club sessions will run at their regularly scheduled times including on other holidays. For example, while schools are likely closed for Veteran’s Day in November, Innovator’s Club will still meet on that day.

If you have an existing Galileo credit, it will apply after you add the Club Membership to your cart and proceed to checkout.

Because our clubs consist of small-group communities, Galileo does not offer make-up classes for missed Innovator’s Club sessions.

Instructors may be able to assist directly, depending on the circumstance. We recommend contacting Customer Support (by phone: 800-854-3684, by email: info@galileo-learning.com) if you know that you’ll be unable to make one or more classes during your time with us.

Our instructors will do their best to support children should technical difficulties arise. In many cases, problems can be solved by exiting and re-entering the Zoom, restarting the computer, temporarily shutting off the video, etc. We suggest cycling through these options as a first course of action.

To cancel a monthly membership plan contact our customer support team anytime up to 7 days before your next billing date (the first Monday of the month)—by phone: 800-854-3684, by email: info@galileo-learning.com

No refunds are available for a prepaid, discounted 6- or 12-month membership. However, the member may transfer to a different available time slot or pause their membership at any time. To transfer, see “WHAT IF MY SCHEDULE CHANGES AND I WANT A NEW DATE AND TIME?” above.

Although we do not ever plan or want to cancel a session, Galileo reserves the right to cancel Innovator’s Club programming for any reason. If Galileo cancels a club time slot and a customer cannot change to a different time slot, the customer will receive a 100% refund of the unused portion of their current month. If they have prepaid for a multi-month discount, they will receive a 100% refund for their remaining months as well. In the event the customer originally enrolled using previously awarded credit, credit for the remaining months will be restored.

Multiple club members of the same age-group in the same household may participate together on screen (or on separate screens). Please note that each child requires an up-to-date, paid membership to participate in the session.

Galileo at Home is currently paused for the summer. Check back with us in August to form pods for the school year.

Transfers:

You may change your project selection or date/time up to three (3) business days prior to your scheduled event.

Cancellations:

If you cancel up to five (5) business days before your scheduled event, you may receive a 75% refund or a 100% credit, at your discretion.
If you cancel less than five (5) business days before your scheduled event, you will not be eligible for refunds or credits.

Birthday Parties: Your assigned Galileo party host will take attendance during your event. If the number of child attendees is greater than 15, you will be charged a fee per additional child ($15/child). If you paid for more than 15 child attendees initially and attendance counts 15 or fewer children, you’ll be refunded $15/child (to the minimum 15 attendees).

Hangouts:Your assigned Galileo party host will take attendance during your event. If the number of child attendees is greater than what was already purchased, you will be charged a fee per additional attendee. If you paid for more than 15 child attendees initially and attendance counts 15 or fewer attendees, you will be refunded the applicable per/attendee amount.

Here is a copy of the notice that was sent to enrolled 2020 families on May 27th describing your options.

Credits that have been issued to your Galileo account will be automatically applied at check-out.

Galileo will issue you a personal coupon code that you can enter at check-out to receive your discount.

Credits may be applied toward any purchase, including Extended Care, lunch, or partner offerings.

The 50%-off coupon may be applied toward Extended Care, but is not applicable toward lunch or any partner offerings.

Check out all of our active discounts and savings by visiting our Promotions and Specials page.

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Sessions are grouped with a maximum of 11 campers with one instructor guiding them through a live activity. Your camper will join via Zoom Meetings and be led through a personalized lesson where they can ask their instructor questions and fully engage with the creative, hands-on curriculum.

Each class will have it’s own list of materials, which you can explore in the Class Descriptions. However, we make sure that all materials are ones that you may already have in your own home or are easy to find at your local grocery store. (Think toilet paper rolls, crayons, duct tape, or construction paper). All materials list include alternates where appropriate.

Download and create a Zoom account in advance of class, and make sure to test your sound and camera before logging in. You will need a consistent Internet connection as well as a working webcam and microphone.

Galileo Online Break Camps are for kids, we make an effort to develop the activities so that children can participate independently.

That said, for children in Kindergarten and 1st grade, we recommend an adult stay in earshot to assist, if needed.

And rest assured, all of our seasoned Galileo Online instructors are highly trained and experienced Galileo staffers. All Zoom sessions are recorded for training and safety purposes.

Transfers:

You may transfer to a different class up to 24 hours prior to the start of the registered online session at no charge.

Cancellations:

You may cancel up to 24 hours in advance and receive a 100% refund. If you enrolled using previously awarded credit, the credit will be restored to your account.
If Galileo cancels a class you will receive a 100% refund. If you enrolled using previously awarded credit, the credit will be restored to the account.