Worst camp ever. Interested in getting feedback about your child from summer camp then this is your place. Want an unreliable summer childcare option threatening to kick your child out and labeling them a troublemaker for mild, age-appropriate indiscretions then send your child here. Have spoken to numerous Lamorinda parents with generally well behaved children with the same experience. The nerve of these unqualified high school counselors to report every mishap and have an overly sensitive director call 5-6 parents per day while at work (he admitted this number). Is this camp for real? Are we paying you to take care of our kids or not? Do your jobs and manage the kids read more

My child attended camp for three summers, and my younger one joined this year. Both are very different kids, but both relish it so much! They love the camp spirit with songs, skits, games, and crafts. The counselors and staff are friendly, kind, professional, and enthusiastic. Drop-off is through the carpool line, so I pull up, and a counselor opens the car door, greets the kids, and off they go, and off I go. Pick-up in the afternoons requires meeting them at their group, showing my photo ID, and initialing a checkout sheet before they're released to me. The projects that my daughter has made in years past have been so impressive. The theme was outdoors one year, and she made a backpack out of supplies like duct tape and PVC pipe. It was awesome! I recommend Galileo camps to all active, creative kids who appreciate a challenge and enjoy a full-packed day. read more

Galileo has well over $3,000 of my money which they refuse to refund. My kids loved this camp for many many years but the owner is not family friendly and is not supporting families at a time when they need the money most. I'm beyond disappointed in this company and furious that other smaller businesses returned summer camp money in 2020 even though they couldn't afford it but Galileo didn't. Galileo actually stole my money and spent it months before they cancelled camp for the summer. They filed for bankruptcy and are hiding behind this to claim that even though they are still alive today and making money that they can't and wont return our money or that of many many other families across the United States. They most definitely have lost my trust and respect. read more

I am very disappointed with this camp and with the business as a whole. I enrolled my child for 4 weeks. During the first week in June my daughter was not happy their - her complaints were legitimate. The children were eating on the ground, not on tables and chairs. They mostly had free time and when they were outside the only activity offered was to play on a play structure that was burning hot. Naturally I unenrolled her. However, it turned out that I will not be receiving a refund for the 2 weeks that are eligible for refund, I received a camp credit. That makes no sense - the camp is objectively not good and I have no plans of sending any of my children there. The camp admins could have spared themselves this review, but instead they chose to keep a $1000. To the parents who are sending their kids there - take a few minutes to just walk around campus midday - you won't see any children having fun whatsoever. I was lucky to find another camp for my child and she's now bubbling with excitement every day when I pick her up. read more

We have been going to Galileo camps since my son was in 3rds grade and he's just finishing up his last summer there as a 8th grader. Absolutely love the camps and the counselors read more

Drop off and pickup is a ridiculously long process. Feels like I'm at Disneyland without a Fast Pass... and this is just camp. Clearly, they need to have more staff on hand. Drop off took 45 mins this morning and pickup the same. read more

My 12 year old twins have been attending Camp Galileo for the last two summers and they have enjoyed it so much that they beg for me to add more classes to complete their summer experience. It is very well run, the instructors have so much positive energy, it's contagious, but not over the top. My daughter was exposed to creative ways to cook and, as a result, continues to teach me new ideas in the kitchen. My son thoroughly enjoyed the mindcraft class, but the highlight of the camp experience was their instructor, Abe Rodriguez, a very kind, engaging young man that both kids just really enjoyed interacting with. I highly recommend this camp as one of the best for kids because of how we it is run, how carefully the instructors are chosen, and because of the wide range of classes offered. You can't go wrong with Camp Galileo! read more

It's our third year at Camp G and I'd give them 10 stars if I could. My son looks forward to camp all year, has a fantastic time, and learns so much. Last summer we went to Legoland, but Camp Galileo was a much bigger hit. I love the Galileo Innovation Approach with its emphasis on problem solving, creative thinking, perseverance, and learning from mistakes. And I also appreciate that the camp focuses on three main areas: art, science, and outdoors. The kids have all kinds of interesting and challenging projects, work on collaboration and social skills within these contexts, and have an unbelievable amount of fun. Every year my son emerges from camp with increased self-confidence and a feeling of accomplishment about his projects. He is always full of ideas for inventions and experiments and Camp Galileo fosters this strength and allows him to bring some of his ideas to life. Every year I'm impressed with the quality of the the staff, from the camp director to the interns. Camp Galileo runs like a well-oiled machine. Everything is organized, professionally administered, and well planned. The staff truly works together as a team and appears to have boundless energy and enthusiasm. My son was shy his first year and the staff did an amazing job at supporting him and involving him. By the second or third day of camp many staff knew my son's and my name on sight, not just the staff who worked with his age group, but staff who worked with older kids, the camp director, the interns, etc. I've observed the staff work their magic on many other children,welcoming and drawing them into the Galileo community. Our family is excited to discover the new camp themes every summer- everything from the Golden Gate Bridge to Medieval Adventure. I love that there is a curriculum and a pedagogy, and that many of the camp staff are teachers. I am often amazed at how Camp G weaves the weekly camp theme through the science, art, and outdoor activities, often in unexpected, yet cohesive ways. I was very surprised to see a 1-star review of this location (actually posted by the same person in 2012 and 2013 for just one camp experience, which doesn't seem right to me). I cannot imagine what happened, but feel that this is a very aberrant experience. We've found the camp director Mic and all the staff to be very communicative about any problems or concerns they or we had. Prior to the start of camp, and also during camp, we've talked with staff and team leaders about some preferred language and behaviors that could make transitions and participation easier for our child. We've had their full support and cooperation in implementing any changes. We've brought two other families into Camp Galileo in Lafayette and both have been very pleased with their experiences and have returned for their second year. read more

Love love camp Galileo. I was a little nervous sending my 5 year old to his first camp, but the staff from the morning entrance into the "fun factory" to the afternoon extended "play sessions" where I saw the camp counselors extend patience, kindness and fun with my son really amazed me. My sons camp counselor (Ms. Jenny red Nebula's) and the camp Director were great with communication and help making the new kids to camp feel like this is their best summer ever. My son wears his Camp Galileo t-shirt with a big smile on weekends. I truly recommend this camp. Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding this wonderful camp. read more

This is our third year at Camp Galileo in Lafayette. Our son is 8 yrs old, and very shy, and very slow to warm up to new situations. He has asked to return to Camp G. each year, though, because he enjoys the staff so much -- their energy, warmth, and attention to each camper has really made a positive impression on him. On the other hand, I am a stickler for organization, safety, and professionalism, and I have been very impressed by the staff at Camp Galileo. Our son has had his share of adjustment issues, and I have been impressed with the responsiveness of the staff and director -- I feel like my concerns have always been heard and addressed. Overall, we have been impressed by Camp Galileo Lafayette, and we will continue to recommend it to our friends, as well. read more

My 10 year old son went to this camp for the first time last week (July 2013) He loved it! He LOVED his instructor Evan and all the assistants. He loved creating and building his go-kart and loved the extra activiites. On the first day I picked him up he said it should go to 5 PM, why does it end at 3. He started planning other majors he wants to try. I felt comfortable leaving him at this camp too. They have a board that gives a background on all the instructors and camp director too, nice info to have. I had heard great things about this camp and it held up to its expectations. We commute from Vallejo to attend this camp and we are taking another session in a couple of weeks too because it is worth it. Diane read more

Is there any other camp! ? My daughter is in the 6th grade and this Summer will be her 7th with Gallileo. My son will be attending for the 5th time. For my 6th grader, we transitioned last Summer to Quest which is program designed for older kids (those entering 5th-8th grades). This year, there will be 14 majors at Quest to choose from. Last year my daughter majored in fashion design and LOVED it. Her instructor last Summer was Kellee and now she will be the camp director at Quest in Lafayette - so I am sure the camp will be amazing. Both Camp Gallileo and Quest will be held at Stanley this year which is great if you have a middle schooler and a k-4/5. I cannot recommend Gallileo more - trust me....it will be one of the best weeks of your childs Summer. Lesley, mom in Lafayette, CA. read more

I wish there were an option for "NO STARS"! Our trio (triplets) went to this camp last year in the Nebula's program (PreK/K) and we were so excited as everyone "raved" about how great Camp Galileo was. Let me preface that our boys have NEVER had issues at any school they had attended up to this - they were loved at TOPS in Orinda, and the Early Intervention program at Burton Valley. So we arrive on our first day, our boys are 4 years old and 1 of them is scared to death and is crying and ran off (basically they had to work) he is special needs (has an IEP - we found out this year he has ADHD). He was thrown out on day 2 of camp! Unbelievable. It gets better....Day 3, my second child is given a stick to "imagine" with and what do you think a 4 year old boy will do with a stick? Right, he hit another kid (it wasn't intentional, but boy he was thrown out immediately too!!! The 3rd child made it through (honestly, I believe this was a cover as how can you throw all 3 out in 3 days?). The Director, Mic, is a complete piece of work. She obviously has no children and no clue on how to deal with kids that are "challenging or a little work". She had attitude with both my Husband and myself and was not understanding at all. The sickest part of all is that the Area Director actually has blocked us from attending the Danville campus this year (the boys are 1 year older and more mature, ADHD is controlled, etc). I would never recommend this camp to anyone that has a child that is outgoing or might be a little "spirited" as they can not handle this. Definitely NOT for children with special needs. Stay away from this camp location and I hate to say it, but all of them given they supported the camp Director after only 1-2 days of interaction with our children. Such a disappointment and I have no idea how this camp won an award last year, however I do know that business do get awards based on voting. Voting, of which, is promoted heavily by the business that wants the award. read more

I have to say that we were so excited to bring our boys to Camp Galileo with all of the great comments that we had heard. Well I can tell you that the Director is a complete idiot and basically threw my son out of the school after the 3rd day (first day was hard, new school) second day was great per the staff and the 3rd day was a little rough with him needing extra support. Honestly, my child is 4 years old, scared and active. This Director is completely lazy and would love to have children that are complete zombies. The school is completely overpriced for what you get. Anyone with a brain knows that it takes a child (especially a very young one) at least a week to get used to their surroundings. I would never recommend this camp site (I am sure there are better Directors - this one should be fired) to anyone. I will make sure that all of Lamorinda knows that this camp Director is horrible. I feel sorry for the camp counselors that work there. I know one was trying to comfort me after my son was told not to return. I could see it in her face that she was not happy working there. Please DO NOT send your children to this location. read more