This post is sponsored by Galileo Camps but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
The kids are just back to school, after a week off for spring break, and I’m already thinking about summer. Each year I try to pick one or two experiences that I think will benefit my kids and let them try something they might not normally gravitate to. Last year, my sports loving kiddo took a short break from running around in his cleats to participate in a coding summer camp where he discovered how exciting STEAM activities could be.
This year, I’ve already looked at a number of camps that look promising and I’m loving the Galileo Camps‘ model. Drawing from the innovation process inspired by the Stanford d. School, Galileo’s curriculum packs serious substance and sparks kids’ imaginations from pre-K through 8th grade. Their goal is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world and they do this by teaching campers a framework called the Galileo Innovation Approach or the GIA. With this framework, campers learn the steps needed to bring their ideas to life.
The camps shape a new generation of innovators by teaching kids to explore, make mistakes (and learn from them!), and create without fear. I think that “making mistakes” part is so important, especially in this day and age of social media where everyone else seems perfect and kids are afraid to fail for the whole world to see. Kids need to know that it’s okay to take (safe) risks and that it is not only fine, but vital, that they fail because that is how they will learn. The folks at Galileo believe that kids who learn to explore and fail with courage—the essence of innovation—are happier, more creative and more confident when faced with life’s challenges.
To show my boys what Galileo camp life would be like we did some group activities from the Zoom, Fly, Bolt, Blast Steam Handbook that was written by Galileo curriculum developer Lance Akiyama (who also authored Rubber Band Engineer and Duct Tape Engineer which we have) and was made in cooperation with Galileo Learning. This book gives parents and kids ages 6 to 10 a selection of 18 engaging projects to build together. And when they’re finished, they’ll have personalized creations that fly, race, and blast off!
We were limited on what we could make since we don’t have a lot of materials on hand (which will change soon with a DIY kit I’m putting together!) so we chose a couple projects with simple material lists. We made a “grabber” and a lung lift (because who doesn’t want to say they are able to lift a chair by just breathing?!) It was nice to see the kids step away from their video games to create something together. I loved how they worked together, determined to meet a shared goal, and took turns trying each other’s ideas and building off of each other’s failed attempts until they succeeded. Check out the lung lift they made in action!
If you are looking for an innovative summer camp you’ll want to check out fun & enriching Galileo Camps. If you live in the Bay Area, Southern Cali, or Chicagoland, learn more about Galileo, find a location near you, and register your children to experience the fun for themselves this summer by going here. Save $30 on your camp purchase with code SUMMER30. (Discount valid at any Camp Galileo or Galileo Summer Quest location for the 2019 season, where space is available. Combinable only with Multi Session and Refer A Friend discounts.)
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