A innovation-based summer camp that’s based on the West Coast has expanded to Oak Park this year.
Camp Galileo is offering six week-long day camp sessions, from June 19 to July 28, at St. Giles School in Oak Park. Designed for children entering pre-K through fifth grade, the camp also offers programs in La Grange, Winnetka, Evanston, Arlington Heights and Lincoln Park this summer.
Camp Galileo started in 2002 and now operates more than 50 camps in California and the Chicago area. Tajalli Horvat, Galileo’s senior vice president of Midwest operations, said the program prides itself on its teaching focus and quality staff members.
It’s designed to be fun, wacky and hands-on for kids, but also developmentally fulfilling, she added. African Safari sessions allow children to create African-inspired art and build balancing giraffes, while a Medieval Adventure session offers kids the opportunity to build catapults and castles and make stained glass.
An amusement park-themed session features the building of merry-go-rounds and rollercoasters, while a session focused on all things movement has children working with stop-motion animation and hydraulic-powered marble runs.
“There’s so much intention behind our programs,” Horvat said.
Horvat, who grew up in Evanston, knows summer camps that blend the educational and fun are popular in Oak Park, and many programs often have waitlists.
“It became very clear that this is a place where parents really value these learning opportunities,” Horvat said. “We’re really excited to be able to provide another option for families.”
Heather Smedstad, an Oak Park parent and a member of the local community advisory board for Camp Galileo, said she was drawn to the program because of her interest in STEAM opportunities for her children, which typically are tough to get into.
Last year, she had heard Camp Galileo was interested in expanding to Oak Park, so she observed a camp session in Lincoln Park, where kids were eager to show off their work. Smedstad was struck by their explanations on why they were doing certain things, not just what they were doing.
“I just think that’s really important for learning,” she said.
She said she consistently hears parents say their children love the experience while learning throughout it. Horvat, whose youngest child is attending Camp Galileo for the first time this summer, said it’s great to see a child’s confidence grow with participation in such a program.
“From the personal development standpoint, I think that’s really meaningful,” Horvat said.
Horvat and Smedstad both mentioned the opportunity for financial assistance for those who qualify. Jeremy Rose, area director for Chicago, said registration is open and some weeks have more space than others.
“I thought that would really resonate in Oak Park,” Smedstad said of the scholarship program.
For more information or to register, visit www.galileo-camps.com/camp-galileo/location/oak-park.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
