Your Frequently Asked
Questions, Answered.
Setting up your account and signing up for camp
How do I set up a Galileo account?
See the "My Account" link in the top right corner? Click on it, then enter the information it asks for in the "New Account" section.
I forgot my password. What do I do?
Click "My Account" in the top right corner of the website, then click on the "Forgot your password?" link. You can enter your email address to have a new temporary password sent to you.
What is the deadline for signing up for camp?
You can sign up as long as there's space available, online or over the phone, right up to 3 pm on the Friday before the session starts. If you miss that deadline, you can try your luck by showing up to camp on Monday morning. If there's still space available, our camp staff will sign you up on the spot.
How can I add on more camp sessions after camp starts?
Space permitting, you can add camp sessions online or over the phone until 3 pm on the Friday before the session starts. To add sessions online, log in to your account and click "Add Sessions" next to your camper's name.
Lunch
How to order lunch:
1. Order Choicelunch when you sign up for camp (to add lunch to an existing order, log in to your account, click "Add Sessions" next to your camper’s name, select your camp and click the "Lunch" box for the weeks you want to add lunch)
2. By Thursday at 5 pm the week before camp, sit down at the computer with your kids for five minutes and select a week’s worth of meals
3. Forget about shopping and preparing lunches
What's for lunch? Who provides it?
At The Tech Summer Camps, our lunch partner is Café Primavera, on site at The Tech Museum. At Camp Galileo, Galileo Summer Quest and Chabot Space & Science Camp, we partner with school lunch purveyor extraordinaire, Choicelunch.
Can I pick out my camper's meals?
Absolutely. If you signed up for lunch at The Tech Summer Camps, learn more about meal selection on that camp's Pricing & Details page. If you signed up for lunch at Camp Galileo, Galileo Summer Quest or Chabot Space & Science Camp, you have the option to customize your camper's menu from a large selection of nutritious, kid-approved favorites.
How do I pick out my camper's meals?
If you don’t select your meals, Choicelunch will serve up a pre-selected menu of favorites.
- Keep a look out for an email from Choicelunch on May 1 with your username and password for choicelunch.com (if you sign up for lunch after May 1, expect an email within one business day)—if you already use Choicelunch during the school year, this will be different account information.
- Follow the link in the email to log in to your account and accept the terms and conditions
- Your kids will already have a pre-selected menu assigned to them for the weeks you’ve purchased lunch
For each entrée you would like to change:
- Click the day you wish to change
- Click “Cancel Lunch”
- A pop-up screen will ask, “Are you sure?” Click “I’m sure, cancel lunch”
- Choose an alternate entrée from the menu on the left side of the screen
- Click “Add to Cart”
- Repeat the above steps for each entrée you would like to customize
- Once you’re finished, click “Check Out” in the top right of the screen
- Review your changes, make sure you have a meal selected for every day of the week and click “Submit Order”
What's the deadline for signing up for lunch?
You can sign up for lunch online or over the phone up to 5 pm on the Wednesday before your camp session starts. If you want to pick out your camper's meals, you need to make your selections by 5 pm on the Thursday before your camp session starts.
Can I add lunch after camp starts?
Due to our partners' busy prep schedule, we cannot take lunch orders any later than 5 pm on the Wednesday before your camp session starts.
How much does it cost?
Lunch is $35 a week at all of our camp locations.
How do I know it's healthy?
Choicelunch ingredients adhere to the following standards:
- Hormone-free and antibiotic-free poultry, meats and dairy
- 100% trans-fat free
- No MSG or high fructose corn syrup
- No artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners
- Organic and local fresh fruits and vegetables, whenever humanly possible
Extended Care
How do I sign up for extended care?
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 Sessions" 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.
What are the hours of extended care?
- Camp Galileo and Galileo Summer Quest: 8 am - 9 am and 3 pm - 6 pm
- Chabot Space & Science Camp: 8 am - 9 am and 4 pm - 6 pm
- The Tech Summer Camps: 8 am - 9 am and 4 pm - 5:30 pm
In all cases, you can sign up for morning care, afternoon care or both.
What activities happen at extended care?
All kinds. Learn more on our Extended Care page.
What if I only need extended care for a few days of the camp week?
Extended care is only available by the full week when you sign up online or over the phone. If you just need care on certain days, you can a) sign up for a full week and attend only the days you need, or b) sign up for individual extended care days when you arrive at camp, space permitting. Please note that option B is a risky one—extended care fills up quickly at many of our sites, so there's no guarantee there will be space available when camp starts.
Can I add extended care after camp starts?
Space permitting, you can add full weeks or individual days of morning or afternoon extended care in person at your camp during the camp week. However, extended care can fill up quickly, so if you absolutely need it, we suggest booking your spot in advance.
Scheduling
What happens if the week of camp I want to sign up for is full?
If your week, class or major of choice is booked, you can join the wait list online or over the phone. There is no cost to join a wait list, and no obligation to sign up once you're on it. If you have questions about a particular wait list or your odds of getting to the top of it, call us at 800-854-3684.
What happens if I'm on a wait list and a space opens up?
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 sign up for that week or class. If you don't sign up, we'll email the next family on the list to offer them the spot.
We won't be able to attend a full week of camp, is that OK?
It's absolutely OK, but not something we recommend. Our curriculum is carefully crafted to unfold over five days, with each day building on the one before it, so missing a day means missing an important piece of that nifty process. If no full weeks fit into your schedule, it's totally fine to sign up and plan to miss days—we can't, however, prorate the cost of your camp week.
Can I transfer my camp session to a different week/location?
Sure, just give us a call and, space permitting, you can change your camp location, week, major or class up to seven days before the start of your camp week. Beginning May 1, we charge a $10 transfer fee per session for any schedule changes, regardless of your original sign-up date.
Can I transfer my session to another camper?
The camp you sign up for is uniquely yours. Sessions and classes are not transferable to other campers.
How do I cancel my enrollment? Will I receive a refund?
Changing your summer schedule is no problem. All you have to do is give us a call. Here's our policy:
- January - April 30: Receive a full refund minus a $25 processing fee per session or class canceled
- May 1 - May 31: Receive a full refund minus a cancellation fee of $95 per session for Camp Galileo, $120 per session for Galileo Summer Quest or $70 per class for Chabot Space & Science Camp or The Tech Summer Camps
- Starting June 1: No refunds
A few other things to note:
- Policy applies to all camp cancellations, regardless of original sign-up date
- All refunds will be credited via original payment method
- Camp fees are not refunded or prorated for days of camp missed due to illness or injury
Is camp open on July 4th? Why?
Indeed it is. Our curriculum is carefully crafted to unfold over five days, so when the 4th falls in the middle of the week, we run camp as usual. An uninterrupted week gives kids all the time they need to understand each step of what they're learning and complete every last detail of their projects.
Why is camp only scheduled through the beginning of August?
While schedules vary from camp to camp, all of our Camp Galileo and Galileo Summer Quest programs happen at schools. Because teachers and staff often head back to school in August, we arrange our exit to give them the time they need to prepare for a new school year.
Financial assistance, fees and credits
Do you offer financial assistance? How do I apply?
Yes. Every year, we award hundreds of weeks of specially priced camp through our financial assistance program. Apply on our Financial Assistance page.
How can I donate to your financial assistance program?
Details for how to donate are on our Financial Assistance page. Thanks for helping us realize a reality of camp for all.
What are lab/materials fees for?
Certain classes and majors—generally those that give kids access to certain technology or specialized tools or equipment—are subject to an additional fee to cover the cost of those materials.
What is the Refer a Friend discount?
When you refer a friend, you both save $25 using coupon code 2013GLRAF during checkout. Please note that this discount is available only at Camp Galileo, Galileo Summer Quest, and Chabot Space and Science Camp. The discount is not available at The Tech Museum Summer Camps at this time.
When will I receive my Refer a Friend credit?
Thanks for spreading the word about us. If your friend gave us your first name, last name and email address during the sign-up process, your $25 credit is in the works and coming your way within one month of your friend's sign-up date.
Questions about my camper
How do you group kids together at camp?
At Camp Galileo, we group campers by grade in three groups—pre-K - K (Nebulas), entering 1st and 2nd (Stars) and entering 3rd through 5th (Supernovas)—and carefully customize our curriculum for each group. Learn more about camper age groups at Camp Galileo.
At Galileo Summer Quest, campers spend the week primarily with the like-minded visionaries in their major.
At Chabot Space & Science Camp and The Tech Summer Camps, campers spend most of their week with the other campers in their chosen class or classes, which are organized by grade—entering 3rd - 5th or 5th - 7th at Chabot; entering 4th - 6th and 6th - 8th at The Tech.
Can my Camp Galileo camper join his/her sibling/friend in an older/younger age group?
As our curriculum and activities are designed specifically for each age level, we strongly discourage grade group hopping. If your camper is concerned about seeing friends who are in a different grade group, remember that campers eat lunch together and participate in all-camp activities and games throughout the week.
Can my camper be grouped with friends at camp?
Definitely. At Galileo Summer Quest, Chabot Space & Science Camp or The Tech Summer Camps, simply coordinate your camper's dates and major or class with the friends in question. At Camp Galileo, you can submit friend requests as part of the sign-up process. While we'll try to group your camper with as many friends as possible, we can only guarantee one request.
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.
Should I send my preschooler to camp?
Camp Galileo is a great place your tiny innovator in training. We design activities and class lengths 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 cozy 6:1 camper-to-staff ratio. While most Nebulas attend our full day program, we do offer a part-day option from 9 am - 1 pm for campers who aren't ready for a full day.
Nebulas must be entering kindergarten in the fall or turning 5 by December 1.
My camper is going into 5th grade—what camp should we sign up for?
It depends on the kid. Camp Galileo is for the 5th grader who loves Camp G's mix of art, science and outdoors and wants to be on the top of the heap in a group with 3rd and 4th graders. We give our 5th grade campers at Camp Galileo the honorary title of Red Supergiant and let them develop their leadership skills by mentoring younger innovators. Galileo Summer Quest is for the emerging visionary interested in an older environment (being grouped with 6th, 7th and 8th graders), ready to pick a passion—from majors like Video Game Design, Chefology or Photography—and go deep exploring it.
Aspiring scientists, engineers or space explorers may also want to check out Chabot Space & Science Camp—for 3rd - 5th graders in the Oakland Hills. Innovators with an interest in science and technology might want to spend part of the summer at The Tech Summer Camps for 4th - 8th graders in San Jose.
Can my camper sign up for the same Camp Galileo theme more than once during the summer?
Sure, it's actually pretty common. While the curriculum is the same each time, our instructors are prepared with more challenging next steps for returning campers so they can build on what they learned the first time through. Our returning campers often emerge from round two with more sophisticated projects and a deeper understanding of the concepts they learned.
Should my camper take the same Galileo Summer Quest major as last year?
In the case of Go-Kart Builders and Video Game Design, we recommend moving on to the Extreme and Advanced versions. With regard to our other majors, the answer is yes. While returning campers will find the curriculum familiar and the basics more or less the same, another week in the same subject affords campers the opportunity to delve even deeper into what they're passionate about—approaching their work with the benefit of baseline knowledge, learning more sophisticated concepts and techniques and making new or more polished projects.
How do you deal with serious allergies at camp?
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.
We designate nut-free tables at all of our camps during snack times and lunch and enforce a strict hand-washing policy. All staff members are trained on how to administer an EpiPen in the event of an emergency.
Do Galileo camps serve children with special needs?
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 us a call. We also welcome camper aides, but require all aides who attend camp to complete a background check before camp begins.
Getting ready for camp
Is there anything I need to do between signing up and showing up on the first day of camp?
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 us a call at 800-854-3684. If you've purchased lunch, be sure to select your camper's meals by 5 pm on the Wednesday before your camp session begins.
What should my camper wear/bring to camp?
Campers should wear casual clothing that can get dirty and comfortable shoes for indoor and outdoor activities.
If you've purchased lunch, the only sustenance your camper needs is a water bottle. If your camper's day includes afternoon extended care, please include a snack as well. If you do not plan to purchase lunch, 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.
What happens at camp
What are the check-in and check-out times at camp?
At Camp Galileo and Galileo Summer Quest, check-in on Monday of each week is 8:30 - 9 am. Tuesday - Friday, check-in is 8:50 - 9 am. Check-out is at 3 pm every day. If your Nebula is signed up for the part-day program at Camp Galileo, check-out is at 1 pm.
At Chabot Space & Science Camp, check-in on Monday of each week is 8:30 - 9 am for morning classes and 12:45 - 1 pm for afternoon classes. Tuesday - Friday, check-in is 8:50 - 9 am for morning classes or 12:50 - 1 pm for afternoon classes. Check-out is at 12 pm for morning classes and 4 pm for afternoon classes.
At The Tech Summer Camps, check-in on Monday of each week is 8:30 - 8:50 am for morning classes and 12:30 - 12:50 pm for afternoon classes. Tuesday - Friday, check-in is 8:45 - 9 am for morning classes or 12:50 - 1 pm for afternoon classes. Check-out is at 12 pm for morning classes and 4 pm for afternoon classes.
At all of our camps, we ask a parent or guardian to check in with campers on Monday. To keep campers safe, we also require a photo ID and signature from an authorized adult every day at check-out.
My kids are signed up for two different Galileo camps in the same week. What should I do?
If your kids are attending Camp Galileo or Galileo Summer Quest at two different locations during the same week, you can check in as early as 8:30 am and check out as late as 3:20 pm. Simply give the staff at your camp a heads up on Monday if you need to take advantage of these extended hours. Campers cannot check in before 8 am or check out after 6 pm.
What does a typical day at Camp Galileo look like?
Our budding innovators explore art, science and outdoor activities every day of the week, in an environment infused with fun camp traditions like team color day, water day and capture the rubber chicken.
Here's a typical day in the life of Stars (1st - 2nd graders) and Supernovas (3rd - 5th graders) at Camp Galileo:
- 8:00-9:00 AM Optional extended care
- 8:50-9:00 AM Campers greeted by staff and checked in
- 9:00-9:15 AM Summer camp begins—opening ceremony and/or team building
- 9:15-10:30 AM First rotation: Art*
- 10:30-10:45 AM Snack break
- 10:45 -12:00 PM Second rotation: Science*
- 12:00-1:00 PM Lunch (bring your own or sign up for our healthy lunch program) and outdoor play
- 1:00-2:15 PM Third rotation: Outdoors*
- 2:15-3:00 PM All-camp game and/or closing ceremony
- 3:00 PM Summer camp ends—parents pick up campers and sign out with staff
- 3:00-6:00 PM Optional extended care
* Rotation order changes daily
Here's a typical day for Nebulas (pre-K - kindergarten) at Camp Galileo:
- 8:00-9:00 AM Optional extended care
- 8:50-9:00 AM Campers greeted by staff and checked in
- 9:00-9:20 AM Summer camp begins—opening ceremony and/or team building
- 9:20-10:05 AM First rotation: Art*
- 10:05-10:20 AM Snack break
- 10:20-11:05 AM Second rotation: Science*
- 11:05-11:50 AM Third rotation: Outdoors*
- 11:50-12:50 PM Lunch (bring your own or sign up for our healthy lunch program) and outdoor play
- 12:50-1:00 PM Optional part-day program ends—parents pick up part-day campers
- 12:50-1:45 PM Activity stations and story time
- 1:45-3:00 PM Featured activity: Art, Science, Outdoors, or All-Camp Game*
- 3:00 PM Full-day program ends—parents pick up campers and sign out with staff
- 3:00-6:00 PM Optional extended care
* Rotation order changes daily
** Featured activity changes daily
What does a typical day at Galileo Summer Quest look like?
Emerging visionaries spend most of their days digging deep into their majors, with lots of time along the way to for fun with friends at all-camp activities like the GSQ variety show and water day.
Here's a typical day in the life of a Galileo Summer Quest camper:
- 8:00-9:00 AM Optional extended care
- 9:00-9:15 AM Summer camp begins—opening ceremony and/or team building
- 9:15-10:30 AM Major time
- 10:30-10:45 AM Snack break
- 10:45-12:00 PM Major time
- 12:00-1:00 PM Lunch (bring your own or sign up for our healthy lunch program) and camp activities
- 1:00-2:30 PM Major time
- 2:30-3:00 PM All-camp activity and/or closing ceremony
- 3:00 PM Summer camp ends—parents pick up campers and sign out with staff
- 3:00-6:00 PM Optional extended care
What does a typical day at Chabot Space & Science Camp or The Tech Summer Camps look like?
At our partner camps, you can design the day just the way you like it—one class or two classes, extended care in the morning or afternoon, lunch—our accommodating schedule and wide range of classes make the possibilities (almost) endless, but here's the basic format:
- 8:00-9:00 AM Optional extended care
- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Morning class
- 12:00-1:00 PM Supervised lunch break for campers in both morning and afternoon classes (bring your own lunch or sign up for ours)
- 1:00-4:00 PM Afternoon class
- 4:00-5:30/6:00 PM Optional extended care (until 5:30 pm at The Tech Summer Camps; until 6 pm at Chabot Space & Science Camp
How will I know what my camper is up to all week?
We make it easy. You'll receive a copy of a camp newsletter customized for your camp—The Camp Galileo News, The Daily Quest, The Chabot Camp Chronicle or The Tech Download—throughout your camp week. If you can spare a few minutes to read it, you'll learn all kinds of good stuff about your camper's day at camp, plus get important announcements.
What if my camper loses something at camp?
We have a place for that. Every camp has a lost and found, kept in a designated spot throughout the summer. If you think an item of yours was left behind at camp, check with your Camp Director and chances are, we'll find it. Unfortunately, we are unable to store lost and found items once camp is over, so don't wait to start your search—we will donate any unclaimed items on the final day of camp at each location.
I have ideas for how to make camp better! How should I share them?
Your feedback is incredibly important to us, so we want to hear from you. Every Friday of a week you spend with Galileo, we'll send you an email with a link to our weekly survey. Once you fill it out, we'll do some careful reading and immediately start making improvements to make the next week of camp even better.
Other Stuff
What's your tax ID number?
71-086-9453
I still have questions. What now?
Not a problem. We're here to help. Drop us a line at info@galileo-camps.com or give us a call at 800-854-3684. You can find us by the phone Monday - Friday, 8 am - 6 pm.
Promotions and Specials
Spring Fling Discount
Sign your kids up for camp between March 1- March 29 and save $15 on every session at Camp Galileo and Galileo Summer Quest. This is in addition to our usual multi-week discounts. Save $10 per class at Chabot when you sign up before March 29.
Early Bird Special
Sign your kids up for camp before February 28 and save $20 on every session at Camp Galileo and Galileo Summer Quest. This is in addition to our usual multi-week discounts. Save $10 per class at Chabot / Tech when you sign up before Feb 28.
Refer-a-Friend Discount
Refer a new friend to Camp Galileo, Galileo Summer Quest or the Chabot Space & Science Camp, and you both save $25 using coupon code 2013GLRAF during checkout. Please note, the referral friend will need to enter your first name, last name, and email address so you can both receive the discount. Your account will be credited each time a new referred friend signs up for camp and enters your name. If the friend forgets to do this during the sign-up process, please contact our customer service department and they will credit your account within 7-10 business days.
This discount is available for new families only at Camp Galileo, Galileo Summer Quest, and Chabot Space & Science Camp.
Multi-Session Discount: Sign Up For More Weeks and Save
The more weeks your kids come to camp, the more they innovate—and the more you save. Sign up for a second week at Camp Galileo or Galileo Summer Quest and save $20. Save $40 off your third week and $60 off your fourth and subsequent weeks. Plus, get 50 percent off extended care when you sign up for 2 or more weeks of camp.
We also offer a part-day program from 9 am to 1 pm for our pre-K–K campers — for $70 off the weekly price.