After all the anticipation and eager excitement, it is shocking that my boys' week at Camp Galileo came to a close today.
There is no question that we'll be back: Camp Galileo for my youngest, and then Galileo Summer Quest for my oldest, who will be too old for "regular" Camp G next year, but who is eager to hang out with the Quest gang again.
Like my oldest was on the first day of Summer Quest, both my sons were all-smiles as they ran off to new adventures at Camp G. My oldest explained the routine so my youngest wouldn't be nervous to go through "the torture machine" at the start of camp.
From staff members wiggling their "Park Here!" signs to the counselors dancing to funky beats, the environment of Camp Galileo was plenty welcoming. I found myself with a little spring in my step, and it wasn't just because I was getting rid of my kids for awhile.
On that first day, both sons gathered some clues to help solve the whole "A Detective in Paris" mystery. In just a day they had already bonded with their counselors, and were sad to leave for home.
On Tuesday morning, I found my oldest son vomiting outside our house and crying. He tried to psych himself up for camp, but his upset stomach was betraying him. He tearfully told me that missing camp would be the absolute worst thing... ever.
Of course he stayed home that day, but was disappointed to miss the fun. Ordinarily he'll crawl into bed and won't fight illness, but the thought of missing Camp G made him fight hard before I insisted that it wouldn't be right to go to camp with a queasy tummy.
Meanwhile, my youngest collected clues and was sure to let his brother in on what he had learned. Thankfully my oldest was all-better to go to camp the next morning. "I don't want to miss any more Camp G!" he told me.
For the rest of the week, the boys enjoyed telling me about their adventures. I loved the positive atmosphere and the smiling staffers. Each morning I was confident that I was dropping off my kids in good hands, and every afternoon I was reassured as they checked my I.D. that they weren't going to let just anyone walk off with my child. In the van on the way home the kids would talk over each other as they excitedly described their day.
I could try to mimic their enthusiasm, but perhaps it is best if you hear their impressions directly from them:
Will we be back to the Galileo Learning summer camps next year? Well, as my oldest says, "OF COURSE!"
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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.
I've written about our Galileo Adventures here:
In Search of Tech Camp
The First Morning of Camp
The Report from Galileo Summer Quest
A Detective in Paris
Camp G is for you and me!
We're gonna miss you Camp G! Until next year...
