About
Walden West Outdoor School offers hands-on, outdoor school experiences in the environmental sciences, including outdoor garden-based lessons. The program includes a week-long residential program for fifth and sixth-grade students and a range of options such as Wild Things (K-1), World of Wonder (2nd-7th), Trail Blazers (3rd-5th and 3rd-6th), Leaders in Training (8th), Junior Counselors (9th), and Family Camp. All programs are based on the Next Generation Science Standards and integrate Common Core objectives, and are led by Walden West naturalists aided by volunteer summer counselors.
• Ages: 5–14 years old
• Schedule: Week-long residential program for fifth and sixth-grade students
For over 70 years, Walden West has provided hands-on, outdoor school experiences in the environmental sciences for the children of Santa Clara County. Established in 1996, the Walden West Foundation has supported Walden West's environmental science and stewardship mission and has helped to develop and foster collaborative science partnerships. The Foundation raises funds to support Walden West Outdoor Education programs and has raised millions to support students through facility improvements and student scholarships, including a major effort beginning in 2001 to upgrade Walden West’s 35-acre campus to a state-of-the-art, comprehensive science center.
The mission statement for Walden West is “Teaching science today... Changing the world tomorrow.” The Walden West Foundation seeks to make Outdoor School programming as accessible as possible to Santa Clara County students both financially and logistically, and its mission is to empower the children of Santa Clara County to develop a life-long passion for science, engineering and environmental stewardship through supporting Walden West. Walden West Outdoor School goals are summarized as Connect Four: Building Community, Magic of Nature, Student Leadership, Having Fun.
Walden West serves the children of Santa Clara County and annually serves over 5,000 students during the school year and 2,000 more during the summer. Almost 1,000 high school and college students receive community service hours each year for volunteering in the summer and during the school year at Walden West. The Walden West Foundation has helped to develop and foster collaborative science partnerships with leading Silicon Valley companies and educational institutions and is seeking community members to join the Board. Popular summer programs and facility rental revenues support Outdoor School programming, and Walden West also operates Growing Gardens for Growing Minds to engage students in outdoor garden-based lessons at their own school sites.
Walden West Outdoor School has received a Google FundAmazing Grant supporting high quality programs and equitable access to Walden West Outdoor School.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
• Ages: 5–14 years old
• Schedule: Week-long residential program for fifth and sixth-grade students
For over 70 years, Walden West has provided hands-on, outdoor school experiences in the environmental sciences for the children of Santa Clara County. Established in 1996, the Walden West Foundation has supported Walden West's environmental science and stewardship mission and has helped to develop and foster collaborative science partnerships. The Foundation raises funds to support Walden West Outdoor Education programs and has raised millions to support students through facility improvements and student scholarships, including a major effort beginning in 2001 to upgrade Walden West’s 35-acre campus to a state-of-the-art, comprehensive science center.
The mission statement for Walden West is “Teaching science today... Changing the world tomorrow.” The Walden West Foundation seeks to make Outdoor School programming as accessible as possible to Santa Clara County students both financially and logistically, and its mission is to empower the children of Santa Clara County to develop a life-long passion for science, engineering and environmental stewardship through supporting Walden West. Walden West Outdoor School goals are summarized as Connect Four: Building Community, Magic of Nature, Student Leadership, Having Fun.
Walden West serves the children of Santa Clara County and annually serves over 5,000 students during the school year and 2,000 more during the summer. Almost 1,000 high school and college students receive community service hours each year for volunteering in the summer and during the school year at Walden West. The Walden West Foundation has helped to develop and foster collaborative science partnerships with leading Silicon Valley companies and educational institutions and is seeking community members to join the Board. Popular summer programs and facility rental revenues support Outdoor School programming, and Walden West also operates Growing Gardens for Growing Minds to engage students in outdoor garden-based lessons at their own school sites.
Walden West Outdoor School has received a Google FundAmazing Grant supporting high quality programs and equitable access to Walden West Outdoor School.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
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