It’s been 66 years since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, his trusty Sherpa guide, made the first official ascent of Mount Everest. By 2016, 4,469 people had reached the summit of this famed peak, the highest point on planet Earth. At Camp Galileo, campers in the Expedition to Everest theme will get a taste of rarefied air as they embark on an adventure with all the fun of a real-life Himalayan trek, and none of the danger. That’s right, no falling seracs and treacherous conditions at the Khumbu Icefall (phew).
At Camp Galileo, we group kids by grade in order for them to have fun and challenging experiences with age-appropriate activities. Our youngest group, consisting of children entering pre-K or kindergarten in the fall, are the Nebulas. The middle bunch, entering 1st and 2nd grade, are our Stars. And our final group are the Supernovas, entering 3rd to 5th grade—Camp Galileo’s resident big fish.
A Typical Day On The Expedition To Everest
The order of your camper’s outdoor, art, and science sessions changes daily, but here’s what you can expect a typical Expedition to Everest day to look like:
8:00 am – If you’ve selected extended care, this is when your child’s day begins.
8:50 am – Campers are greeted at the Fun Machine. We then start the day with our opening ceremony and a team-building session to get the good vibes flowing.
9:40 am – 10:50 am – Art Studio
Nebulas
1. The annual Chitwan Elephant Festival provides inspiration for the creation of a richly tactile and vibrantly painted pachyderm puppet. Pachyderms are large mammals with thick skin, like elephants, rhinos and hippos.
2. Explore the symbolism of concentric art. Kids use cardboard, wood and oil pastels to make their very own circular masterpieces.
Stars
1. Campers learn all about how birds represent bravery in Tibetan culture. They then create their own plucky avian art decorated with custom stamps.
2. It sure gets cold beyond base camp. To prevent frostbite, Stars will be tailoring snuggly winter hats for themselves, complete with patterned paper trimmings and insulation in the form of fluffy flaps.
Supernovas
1. Craft a Nepalese-style character puppet. Paper, clay, and fabric help build a limber figure with a decoupaged head, vivid expressions, and robust, flexible arms. Puppets are accessorized with handmade features.
10:50 am – 11:05 am – Snack Break
11:10 am – 12:20 pm – Teambuilding and Outdoor Play
Nebulas
1. Play a mountain-themed game of freeze tag—a great way to chill out.
2. As Nebulas begin their journey towards the crest of Everest, they’ll need to pitch their trusty parachute tents for protection from the elements—not too mention any snow leopards that may be prowling the area!
Stars
1. A watchful gaze is required in a round of snowball tag with climbers versus snow monsters.
2. By banding together with other members of their expedition, Stars will find a shelter to shield them from an impending snowstorm.
Supernovas
1. Teams work to stay afloat on increasingly fewer chunks of solid ice.
2. Everest is seen as a sacred place by locals. Supernovas will do their bit by competing to keep discarded climber trash from landing in their space.
12:25 pm – 1:25 pm – Lunch and Outdoor Play
1:25 pm – 2:25 pm – Science Workshop
Nebulas
1. Design a long, sturdy, anchored straw bridge to execute one of the most important steps on any Everest odyssey—the crossing of an icy crevasse.
2. Engineer a sled to haul belongings up and down the face of the mountain. Campers test and fix their prototypes until they can safely bear loads.
Stars
1. Devise a mini, personalized climber to test equipment. Campers design their own snow anchors and self-arrest tools.
2. Through collaboration, Stars will create a reliable structure able to resist the weight of an avalanche.
Supernovas
1. Utilize hydraulics to build a rescue robot. Construct a solid, symmetrical frame with hinged arms and a network of tubes and syringes to power them. Design climbing tools and articulated devices to assist bots to ascend and carry out their heroism.
2:40 pm – 2:50 pm – After reaching the apex, our day comes to an official end with the Closing Ceremony.
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm – The fun and games continue for kids in extended care.
We couldn’t be more excited for the adventures in store for campers this summer. If you’re interested in learning more about our art, science, and outdoor summer camps in your area, click the button below to find a location near you. ????
