For Spring Break last year, they waited until the last minute to cancel the class, and then told me he could go to an engineering class instead. It turned out to be the same class my younger son was enrolled in, which was convenient but ended up being below my older son's level. He was crushed that he wasn't challenged, and definitely wondered why his video-game-obsessed peers wouldn't have wanted to take a class.

When the school year began, I was thrilled to see that a silicon valley computer company was setting up a video game design class after school on campus. Immediately I sent in my check, although I was a bit turned off that their website didn't have the same information as was published in the school newsletter. From the price of the class to the exact dates the class would meet, the information didn't match up. A lot of material on their website was outdated, so it took time to find details about the new round of classes. Still, I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Unfortunately, enrollment didn't meet expectations and this class was also cancelled, but not before the computer company phoned me several times to encourage me to round up additional students. Although I was game to drum up participation, I also pointed out to the company the discrepancy between the information in the school newsletter and the website. I admitted that since they are a computer company, seeing these errors - particularly the lack of current information on their website - was off-putting. After polling a bunch of my son's peers, I reported back to the computer company that unfortunately the day they had selected didn't work for most of the boys (and a few girls) because of another conflict. I found many students who were enthusiastic about participating, but on another day.

The lady refused, saying that she had already gone through a lot to secure that one day. She launched into a crazy defense, saying that even advertising in our school e-newsletter was a hassle. She went on and on about how our school didn't really want them on campus, so it was unlikely they'd be back. (I asked the school about this, and they were surprised. Apparently the company could have been on campus whatever day they selected! Meanwhile, other on-campus after-school classes continue to thrive.)

Given the multiple let-downs my son had experienced, I was wary about finding another source for a computer class. It seemed that most classes were from this one company that simply hadn't delivered.

Meanwhile, through my work on the school's science fair for the last few years, I was introduced to some real science and technology resources. One particular activity that caught my eye was Galileo Learning. The representatives from Camp Galileo really engaged and encouraged the students during the fair. I immediately researched them online with the intention of signing up and was beyond thrilled to discover Galileo Summer Quest, where one of the camper "majors" is Video Game Design.

Oh, you should have seen my face. This is PERFECT!

I quickly signed up my son for the Video Game Design major, with "minors" in Cartooning and Green Design. Other majors and minors were super-enticing too, like Junior M.D., Myth Smashers, Circus Arts, and things that would have appealed to me like Jewelry and Fashion Design. (I would have gone for Improv and Digital Photography, too.)

I am confident about sending my son to Summer Quest. Already I had been treated to friendly and fun Galileo staff members at our Science Fair, and then my experience on their website matched what I had found in person. I knew the name "Camp Galileo" but was immediately able to navigate towards the tech-oriented Summer Quest. I was thrilled to discover what my son is interested in, as well as many other topics that also would have made him beam.

I had a minor tech glitch when I attempted to register (Yeah, okay, I tried using a frequent grocery-shopping card number instead of my credit card number - not sure what happened there!) I was initially nervous to phone them (because I am a scaredy-cat over the phone) but I need not have worried. The staff was friendly and took my actual card number, and then confirmed all the information I had entered online. (In fact, they knew by the telephone number I was using who I was and what camper I was calling about!)

Since registration, we've received upbeat "welcome" videos that make my son eager to start camp. I find myself going back on the website to remind myself of what he'll be doing when he is at camp. Sure, I live vicariously through my kids!

I am beyond thrilled that my son has finally found a video game design course, and I'm doubly-thrilled that he'll also enjoy traditional camp activities, plus his "minors," too. He's going to have an amazing experience, I'm sure!

So far my interactions with the various components of Galileo Learning have been seamless and positive. Expectations are high, but I'm confident Galileo Summer Quest will meet (or exceed) them. Stay tuned...

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Disclaimer: I researched and paid for Galileo Summer Quest with my own money. Then by complete wonderful random chance, Galileo Learning contacted me to see if I'd be interested in reviewing their camps. As such, both my kids attended Camp Galileo for an additional week on Galileo's dime in exchange for my posts.

We're gonna miss you Camp G! Until next year...