Now in its fourth year, the K-5 day camp will be held in Almaden Valley for the first time this summer at Holy Family School. In each of four five-day sessions, Camp Galileo offers age-appropriate science, art and outdoor activities.

"This is for the Renaissance child," says Bridget Rigby, Camp Galileo's Almaden area director. "Overall, what we try to do is to help discover and explore their passions. A lot of kids will come to us because they love science or art, then they're pulled over to the other side."

Galileo Educational Services, which operates the day camps, has partnered with some well-known organizations to encourage this interdisciplinary pull. The Tech Museum of Innovation has lent its "Design in Mind" approach to the camp's science programs, wherein children solve construction and engineering challenges with restrictions on time and materials.

"Kids get to work in small groups to come up with solutions, so it seems more like play," Rigby says. "There's an infinite number of solutions [to each challenge], so they almost approach it in an artistic way."

Campers learn about African, expressionist and animal art through Art in Action, a nonprofit foundation that provides art education programs to local schools.

"Kids learn about master artists and create their own masterpieces," Rigby says.

When they're finished inventing and creating, campers head outdoors to play games provided by Klutz.

About 250 campers have signed up for the sessions at Holy Family School, but Rigby says there's still space available. Until this year, she adds, Almaden Valley children who wanted to attend Camp Galileo had to travel to Sunnyvale to get in on the fun.

By the end of the week, Rigby says, campers should not only have a better understanding of art and science but should also learn brainstorming, teamwork and project management skills. This learning, however, should feel more like play.

"They get to explore fun subjects that lend themselves to creativity and innovation," Rigby adds. "Our hope is that we have a lasting impact beyond the summer."

Camp Galileo began the first of four five-day sessions this week at Holy Family School, 4850 Pearl Ave., San Jose. Fees are $319 per week. For program information, call 800.854.3684 or visit www.campgalileo.com.