Walden West

Please click the Costanoan Site link above if your child is attending the Costanoan site.

Your child’s school has chosen to participate in what will probably be the most memorable experience of his/her education. While your child is at Walden West Outdoor School he/she will be immersed in an exciting, activity filled week. Owned and operated by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, our program is offered as a four or five day program to fifth and sixth grade students throughout Santa Clara County.

During their stay, students will enjoy learning about the forest, meadow, and stream communities through the use of games and other activities. Qualified naturalists will use their expertise to help children see the interrelationships between plants and animals as well as the effect we have on the environment.

This experience is social as well as academic. Living 24 hours a day with other students requires your child to cooperate and work together with others toward common goals. Friendships that are made during this week may last a lifetime. Throughout the week, classroom teachers will be available to help students adjust to being away from home and resolve problems that may surface.

Our picturesque setting is located on 32 acres in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains near Saratoga, California. We have full access to the wooded trails in Sanborn County Park which provide an additional 6000 acres of study area.

The Walden West site provides everything needed to assure your child’s comfort. Our facility includes a dining hall, shower room, infirmary, as well as cabins that are carpeted, heated, and furnished with wooden bunks and mattresses. A list of items you will need to provide is included in this package.

While involved in our program, your child will be eating nutritional and tasty food. Children serve themselves during family style meals and are encouraged to eat as much as they would like. Our cooks are experienced in preparing and serving balanced meals and help make sure your child’s needs are met.

In case your child is injured while at Walden West, our secondary insurance coverage includes $3,500 for medical expenses. We will notify you as soon as possible if your child is injured or becomes sick. Walden West staff members are First Aid and CPR certified and paramedics are within five minutes of our site.

We continue to make every effort to lower the cost of outdoor science school. Leasing our site, operating a summer day camp, and the formation of the Walden West Outdoor School Foundation help to lower fees. If you would like more information about additional programs or would like to donate to Walden West please call.

This may be your child’s first time away from home. Cheerful letters from home are always appreciated by the students. Please mail your letters early in order to ensure their arrival by Wednesday or Thursday.

We at Walden West can’t stress the importance of outdoor school enough. If you have any questions or concerns please speak to your child’s teacher or call us at Walden West. The telephone number for the Walden West office is:

PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CHILD WITH A LUNCH (USING REUSABLE CONTAINTERS) AND $1.00 FOR BOTTLED WATER OR $1.50 FOR ANOTHER BEVERAGE ON THE FIRST DAY OF OUTDOOR SCHOOL. No snacks should be sent with your child unless there is a medical reason for doing so. Don’t forget to check the attached Walden West store order form for items you and your child may like to buy. Do not send additional cash with your child.

Here is a schedule of what your child will be doing while at outdoor school. If your child attends the four day program, day three will not be a part of the schedule.

Foundation Tax ID # 77-0450789 / Day Camp Tax ID # 94-6020927