Camp Galileo is AMAZING! I don't know what happened in previous years, but last summer I met their new Camp Director, Hannah, who is absolutely incredible! She was super supportive in taking care of my daughter when she wasn't feeling well after lunch. My daughter also loved her Team Leaders and the activities and especially getting to pie any of the staff at camp!!! With the summer coming up, she already started asking me if she can spend all summer at Camp Galileo this year. read more

They use unsafe things and let kids use them without proper supervision. Teachers are negligent and irresponsible. A few kids, including mine, got seriously hurt. They shrug it off saying it's part of the learning process. Will not send my kids there again. read more

We're extremely disappointed when Galileo sent out a very brief email with regard to a camper tested positive for Covid-19 and the group my child was in was cancelled while every other camper carried on as if nothing has happened. The person in charge of the camp couldn't give a straight answer on just about anything, she just gave us the corporate treatment: "call that number if you have any question". If Galileo takes Covid-19 so seriously, shouldn't it take more stringent measures like taking temperatures daily, disclose contact tracing information to the remaining campers and provide information on how to get Covid-19 testings? We were left to our own devices as my family scrambled to find out how to get tested, where to get tested, how long it'll take and had to pull the other kid out of another camp. I really don't think Galileo has learned anything from the bankruptcy experience, their attitude was insincere and indifferent. To them, we were just another cash cow. To us, it's like a never ending nightmare. How I wish we could just convert our remaining credits to cash and move on. Do yourself a favor: avoid Galileo and find a honest summer camp that you can really trust. read more

It is unfortunate that all we got an lame apology for such an expensive camp. I think we deserved more. Indeed it shows that this camp needs to be looked into and the management changed. read more

(I wrote the following review in August 2012 for Camp Galileo at Cupertino. Somehow, that business entry for Camp Galileo at Cupertino turned into Camp Galileo for Palo Alto. So, I deleted that review and re-posting here under the right business.) *********************************** Love, love, love this camp! My daughter's first experience with camp. We signed her up for the youngest class (age 5) which are the "Nebulas". Originally, we signed up for two weeks, but because my daughter loved it so much, we added on one more week. We decided on Camp Galileo because of the balance between art, science, and outdoors. I loved the various themes and the philosophy of the camp. I heard good things from another parent who asked around about the camp. Word of mouth recommendations - great. I wasn't sure what to expect, but after the first day, all of my (not my daughter's!) anxieties about sending my daughter for 6 hours of camp went away. - Well organized staff. There are registration tables organized by last name. My daughter got a welcome from her team leader. We arrived early so my daughter joined in a story time. All campers wear a name tag showing name, class, and team color. By going more than one week, a few of the staff knew my daughter my name which was nice as they welcomed her each morning. - We signed up with a friend which made the camp experience not so daunting. Camp Galileo guarantees at least one friend to be in the same group if you put down that friend's name at sign up. Also, my daughter found it easy to meet kids. She started mentioning different names to me. - Potty breaks. I found out that the Nebulas get asked and taken for bathroom breaks between each rotation (art, science, outdoors). - Same team leader if attending for more than one week. I was appreciative that my daughter had the same team leader and team color every week that she attended. This added some familiarity for my daughter, and she didn't have to get to know a new team leader each week. - Themes and spirit. There is so much team spirit at this camp. From the team leaders to the director to the interns. Each Friday is a closing ceremony for parents to attend (1/2 hour before camp ends). We get to hear the camp songs and learn what was done that week. My daughter was so proud of us attending her camp and seeing what she did! - Ratio. My daughter's team had about 12 kids in it. There is a dedicated Nebula science instructor, art instructor, and outdoors instructor. So, in each rotation, there would be a 1:6 ratio of teacher to camper. That's a good number. - Level of staff. I liked that all of the instructors and the director are college graduates. The team leaders, I believe, are also college graduates or currently in college. The two staff members that I talked with were either teachers or pursuing a master's in education. - Helpful main office. I've called and emailed the main Galileo office a few times with questions. Very prompt responses and helpfulness. - Choicelunch. We signed up for the lunch program. I loved being able to sit with my daughter and go through all the lunches that she was able to choose from. Easy process and many choices! The lunch includes a snack, but no drink. My daughter brought a water bottle and backpack every day. - My daughter mentioned to me that someone in one of the three Nebula groups was pushing other kids and was sent to the office. I appreciated that the camp takes a no tolerance approach to anything physical between campers which is what a regular elementary school would do. My daughter is there to have fun, and the team leaders should not have to spend their time dealing with this situation. (Not to mention that if it were my child being pushed, I'd be glad of this policy.) Overall, a great first camp experience. My daughter has already asked for us to sign her up for the full weeks (I think 7) for next summer. She is still singing and putting on shows with all of the camp songs that she's learned. I have to say that the songs are catchy, and my husband and I find ourselves singing along with her! read more

My 5 year son really enjoyed the Galileo camps in Los Altos for 3 weeks before joining the Cupertino camp for the last week of summer. At the Cupertino camp the kids were playing tag in the Media hall where a rough tackle by one of the instructors resulted into my son falling on a metallic air vent and that gave him a deep cut resulting into 6 stitches. Accidents happen, and they do happen during play. What is disturbing is that no one in the camp told us what exactly happened. Later when my son was waiting for his stitches at the Urgent Care he told us that it was the instructor who was responsible for him falling over. One, the instructor should not be tackling 5 year old kids roughly, two what upset my son the most is that she didn't even look back, or said "sorry" (which we teach kids so often), or help him get up and check him out. She probably freaked out and didn't turn around. It was another instructor who helped him up and called us over. They didn't inform us on how exactly my son fell. We called up the Site Director a few days later to complain about this matter, and what is upsetting again was the "cover-my-ass" attitude. They refused to take responsibility, kept insisting that the instructor in question was very good/kind/careful etc. As we evaluate what further action can be taken, we certainly think we should write about this to spread awareness about the this carelessness. I do not think their camp instructors are suitable for 4/5year olds who do not need just fun but also some empathy. read more

Absolutely love this camp! Amazing staff, awesome projects, and a fantastic program. They work hard to build strong relationships with each camper in such a short time. My kids loved their leaders, had a blast with the weekly themes, and came hone with new things they were excited about every day. Will definitely be back next summer! read more

My daughter had great time at this camp! We are from Brasil and English not so good. My daughter love her team leader...I think his name is Mike. I think she like him a little too much...haha...Looking for ward next year to come back! read more

A big THANK YOU to camp Galileo. This is the first time my son has attended camp and he had an unforgettable positive experience. It is a unique and valuable experience for young children. The activities will inspire, encourage and stimulate their minds and creativity. It is impressive to spend the day outdoors in a safe environment and with caring staff members. Most of all, they are given the time and space to express their creativity and originality trough science and teamwork..... after all, play is the primary way children LEARN. All the camp counselors and the director are genuine, intelligent, and professional leaders. They all carry positive and loving energy that is contagious. My son will definitely attend again next summer as well! I will recommend and refer as many people as possible! read more

I would like to thank Galileo Camp, Cupertino for their wonderful work. First time we went to that camp last year and my son was very shy to the point of almost turning around and leaving on the first day. The camp staff and camp director Sheighlin MacAskill went out of their way to make him feel comfortable. When he came home that day, he was happy and wanted to go back. He insisted to come to Galileo next year, so in 2018 we signed up for 2 weeks. Now he told me that 2 weeks is not enough and next year it must be more. He was also happy that he still has several years to attend. He says that the teachers encourage creativity and do not push him to do things he is not too interested in. He is allowed to be himself and he gets engaged and excited in the projects. Thank you! read more

Hmmm, I really wanted to love this camp... I had heard great things about Galileo from others so my expectations were high. This is a pricey camp. For the amount they charge, the quality is just not there. The first thing my son tells me on his first day of camp is that he got lost. What? A staff member directed him to the wrong group and then failed to follow up and make sure he was accounted for, so, my son wandered aimlessly for about 10 minutes. Yes, it was only 10 min but, really,this should not have even happened in the first place. The staff members here are very young and my impression of them is that many need more training and/or experience with children. My older son witnessed a staff member yelling at a crying young child to get back in line. This child is clearly upset about something. Instead of comforting and calmly speaking to this child, the staff member chose to be a drill sergeant and yell at her to get in line?!? Very unprofessional behavior. Their communication skills with us parents are also lacking. Dropoff and pickup were also very frustrating for me as it was so chaotic and unorganized. Disappointing. I'm giving two stars because my kids did have fun but I could've gone to my community center camp and gotten the same curriculum and would have paid less than half of what I paid here. Very overpriced and overrated here. read more

Please don't send your kids to the camp. They had some serious management issues which caused my son's broken arm at the very first day. Which made us mad is that nobody saw and could tell us what happened. The whole experience with Galileo is absolutely horrible and the school staff teachers and VP Chris ate extremely irresponsible. read more

This is the second year we went to Galileo and for sure it will be the last time. My son punched another kid on the back while walking in line, for no reason. The kid being punched didn't cry or anything. I'm stressing here is there's no bad consequences here. For my son, it's bad behavior and need to be addressed, no argument there. He did apologize afterward. However, getting us mid of the day to take him home is way over reacting and irresponsible. For the record, all the year my kid in pre school and kindergarten, never in trouble or fight requiring a notice to the parents. Boys sometimes knock on each other. They need to be taught and educated but not thrown out immediately. I asked what the staff plan to do to keep it from happening when I send him back next day, they suggest he can walk with arms crossed in the front and hands on the shoulder, just like the refugee did. Refugee!! I can't believe I hear the word! I spend money to send my kid to a summer camp and you run it like a refugee camp?! Outrageous! read more

I wish I could give them more stars. This was the first time my child joined a summer camp. I was very delighted to see how well he adjusted in this new environment. The camp leader Ananya as well as the Art and Science instructors did a great job. Everything my son could ever imagine came true. I loved the fact that the Director SHEIGHLIN MACASKILL called my son by his name at the very second day of camp. Over all this was a great experience for my son and my family. read more

My daughter went there for 4 weeks. She enjoyed it a lot. They do many hands on projects and she thinks she can create anything now. The staff is amazing. They have a lot of energy and they know what they are doing. We will go there again next summer! read more

No, there was no miscommunication. I understand that it would be very convenient to not take responsibility but there is no miscommunication. Camp Galileo employees were very, very clear that my child could not receive asthmatic medication directly from me even though I was very flexible with timing and repeatedly expressed that I was uncomfortable. Even though this was only a one-time-request as usually I administer the medication to him early in the morning and I needed to get a refill, I was told that my only option was to have the Galileo staff administer the medication to my child. I even questioned this practice with the team leader who was a teenager and she said yes, I could not come and administer the medication myself. This is horrible! This is the health of my child and you had zero respect for it. Furthermore, my child had a (mild) bullying episode and it was not brought to my attention until my child started crying and telling me as soon as we got in the car. I simply wanted to address it before the next class and so I contacted by phone (Nelda) who was THE point of contact for the Cupertino location and she didn't return my call at all!!! I proceeded to email her, as well as all the Camp Gal. customer service, billing and any other email address I could get my hand on as I wanted my child's 2nd day to go smoothly. No attempt was made to contact me. I AM however glad I left Camp Gal. and joined another camp because my child is having so much fun, learning and we are both made to feel welcome every morning. We are not prohibited from entering the classroom before and after camp. By the way my child's friend who is still in Camp Gal. is totally bored. Things turned out better for my child. read more