Galileo Summer Quest for Kids

Galileo Learning is celebrating its 10th anniversary of bringing arts, science, and outdoor activities to children all over the Bay Area. 

Camp Galileo, for children entering Kindergarten through 5th grades, has been operating on the campus of the Marin Country Day School in Corte Madera for the past four years. This summer the Bay Area’s most attended summer day camp is launching its Galileo Summer Quest Program for kids entering 5th through 8th grades on the same campus in Corte Madera. 

Maggie Roach, the North Bay Area Director, said, “It’s our 10th summer running Galileo Programs and it’s our fourth year in Marin running Camp Galileo, but this year is our first summer launching Galileo Summer Quest. We are so excited to have a program at this beautiful school in the Marin community serving older kids.

"For me, what is most exciting, is to have a program that our Camp Galileo campers are able to go to once they are older … and to have a program that gives them a chance to really dig into something that they are interested in or to develop an interest in. I’ve been so impressed by the projects they are able to make.”

This already successful and well-loved two-week session summer camp has added fun college-style majors and minors for older children. Campers choose one major and two minors.  

Majors include: Chefology, Claymation, Fashion Design, Go-Kart Makers, Digital Photography and Video Game Design.  Minors include, Cartooning, Circus Art/Improv, Myth Smashers, Green Design, Jewelry Design and Sports. 

Olivia Rosaldo-Pratt, Galileo Summer Quest Camp director, explained, “Our goal is to teach young people to become innovators. We create a safe space, then we take it one step further with the Galileo Innovation Approach (based on the pillars of Mindset, Process and Knowledge).

"I want these campers to know that they can change the world, that they WILL shape the future (Mindset)… Process is the tool of how you achieve change, how you create things... Knowledge is how to use a drill, how to use iMovie, iStopMotion, a sewing machine… They need someone to teach them that, in order to have their own vision in the end come alive…”

Rosaldo-Pratt continued, “It’s been amazing to watch these kids. It’s been a blast, but also inspiring on a daily basis.”

The curriculum is fun, challenging, original and encourages the campers creativity and individuality.  Campers come back year after year to build on what they have learned and because Galileo Learning Camps are so much fun. Campers enjoy a water day and a Galileo Summer Quest Variety Show.

Allie, 10, designed and created a red dress with jeweled belt and oyster décor shoulder in Fashion Design. She said, “I like it.  It makes me feel confident and beautiful…”

Arielle, 12, in Claymation created a movie called The Penguin and His Magic Hat. She told me, “It was really cool… I liked making all the characters and dressing them up … and coming up with ideas.”

Mirabel, 13, Emma, 13, and Maya, 12, collaborated on a Claymation movie. They each wanted to create a different portion of the movie and worked together to create Going2Gone.

Zach, 12, created a video game called, Stick Demon.  When I asked him how he came up with the idea he told me, “I think of stories on a daily basis, this is just one of them. They all come in different ways. Sometimes I see something outside and I get an idea and sometimes I get it in a dream, it always differs…” 

Roach said, “I think it’s wonderful to have a program that’s age appropriate for tweens, that still captures all the things we’ve been doing for years and years at Galileo … finding ways to teach kids to innovate and have fun and play during the summertime and give them wonderful academic opportunities. I am so glad that we have been able to bring it to this community and hope that more families will be able to take advantage of it for the rest of the summer … and next year.”

Their next session begins July 18th  (if space is available you may join at anytime), so call 1-800-854-3684 or visit their website: Galileo Learning

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