Walden West HomeSchool Programs Outdoor Science School

Last year close to 8,500 students from 125 schools and 23 districts enjoyed their outdoor science school experience at Walden West. The Walden West Outdoor Science School, formerly known as Redwood Glen Science Camp, celebrates over 50 years of teaching children about the environment. Walden West Outdoor School, owned and operated by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, has provided an outdoor education experience for over 400,000 students since its inception in 1950.

The Program
Our outdoor school program is designed for fifth and sixth graders. Each session spans five days and four nights during which students, accompanied by classroom teachers, live and learn in an outdoor environment. The program is operated on the premise that students learn best through hands-on activities. Lessons in the natural sciences are brought to life with the hope that through education, students will develop an understanding and sense of appreciation for the environment.

The Walden West science program emphasizes learning by doing. Students are immersed in activities that stimulate their interest in science and the outdoors. Each child is placed in a field group under the leadership of an environmental education naturalist who is skilled in teaching natural science concepts. The Walden West curriculum is based on the California State Science Standards. Visiting teachers and Walden West staff members work together closely to address the special needs of each student.

In addition to learning about the outdoors, Walden West Outdoor School also develops a child's social skills. Throughout the week, children interact with students from other schools and cultures in their field classes and cabin groups.


Location
Walden West Outdoor School operates at two locations. Its headquarters are located four miles southwest of Saratoga at the Walden West Center and is situated on 35 acres of redwood and Douglas fir forest. The surrounding Sanborn County Regional Park provides an additional 3,000 acres of thickly forested land and over 70 miles of wooded trails. A variety of natural settings, including forest, chaparral, meadow, and riparian are easily accessible and provide ideal study areas. Get map.

Walden West at Camp Costonoan is stituated adjacent to Steven's Creek County Park and benefits from 55 acres of beautiful oak woodland to explore.