Walden West is a great place for your kid if your kid likes to hike or likes the outdoors. They have really good food like waffles, sausages and french toast for breakfast, bagged sandwiches for lunch on the Epic Journey hike, salad bar and chicken tenders and pizza for dinner. Make sure to bring water on the Epic Journey hike! About half of the staff I like and the other half I didn't. Every kid has to have a buddy with them to go to the bathroom or anywhere else, even if it's 20 steps away from where everybody is. If you have some medicine or something to be given by the health clerk, you have to go with a buddy even though it's right next to the cabins and have a water bottle to drink with the medicine. I liked my cabin leader, she was amazing. Overall it's fun but it can also be annoying. I am glad I went though. read more

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Chill as both a camper and cabin leader. Staff are pretty overworked but they care about the kids EOD. The location is really nice and the hiking trails around are no joke. Field instructors are chill and catch a lot of cool animals to show folks. Overall great subset of the County of Education. read more

Walden West Center - Specialty Schools Near Me - Saratoga, California

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I went there and got symptoms of depression and sleep deprevation. I was there for 5 days and the showers were so cold when they said it would be hot, some shower heads didn't work, we had to wear bathing suits as our only privacy, and we had 2 minutes to shower. we were also in 6th grade. Worst field trip ever! read more

My son wasn't happy when came back from this Center. They divided his class to joined others classes. He was bullied from other students and got beat. He told teacher but they didn't solve the problem. He got stomachache but they told him "Couldn't call his parents". My son said he doesn't want to go there again. I will talk with his teacher and principal next week. read more

Walden West has seen better days. The drive up to the facility offers wonderful views but the actual space leaves a lot to be desired - the cabins are very out of date, but the larger issue is that they are not clean. There were brown smears of a mystery origin on the shower walls, dirt around the sinks, and unclean floors in the bathrooms the entire stay. The "teacher" cabin is very small and the rooms don't all have windows. Additionally, kitchen staff are not properly trained on allergens - specifically, gluten. We had several attendees with gluten allergies/celiac and the staff served gluten on two occasions while claiming it was gluten free. When I told the kitchen staff this, her response was that they've always served it. Unacceptable. One of our attendees got sick from this and had to leave our program early. read more

I love this!! The food was amazing! Acorn was my field instructor. I miss all the staff and the cabin leaders. Memories.

My child went to this camp as part of school and had a tough time. She said the counselors were mean and immature; teasing other kids and counselors. I find this disappointing as we teach her to be respectful of others at home. Showers were cold. She came back with a learning experience, but not sure it was pleasant or something I would have chosen if there had been a choice. read more

My son who is 9 years old is having so much time at summer camp! Hands down one of the best summer programs we have ever attended.

the food was expired! We ate bread that expired in march 7! everyone had food poisoning and threw up! and walden west decided to stay! but the field instructors and cabin leadere were good. but overall, never coming back to this place ever again! read more

This is a review for Walden West Summp Camp. From what I know the group that runs the summer camp is different from those who run year-around science program for Santa Clara county. Walden West used to be my kids' favoriate summer camp. My elder kid attended every year K to 8th grade. Many of my friends and neighbors also sent their kids there every summer. Spots literally would run out in the first five minutes after registration opens up. Sitting in front of a computer at 7am in Feb was a tradition to remember. Everything changed after the program switched to a different organizer group in 2018. It is the same place and seemingly the same program, but it feels different. The program lead and staff are nice people but not capable. For any small issue you want to communicate with the office, it always belongs to someone else who is coincidently somewhere else. It is sad the program took a bad turn. My younger kid and friends did not go back after 2018. read more

OMIGOD!! Walden West!!! I spent a week here in 5th grade doing the requred science camp... strangely enough I still remember the 2 minute showers, the taco meal on tuesday evening, sloppy joes on thursday, (see foodie back then!) and the hard to sleep on bunk beds. it was an awesome experience from going on the night hike, heart break hill, and watching the monarch butterflies hibernate. Ahhh.... memories.... read more

I went there for GS Camp a million years ago (and the nasty popular girls tried to get me to pluck my eye brows and wear make-up) but place also serves as a way for my high school students to do the following 1. see if working with elementary students is a career path they want to do 2. get 80-100 hours of community service Thus far the relationship has been mutually beneficial and my hs students enjoy the experience. read more

Both of my kids attended science camp at Walden West when they were in 5th grade. They were miserable. I think the counselors wanted to toughen up the kids, but as a result, kids are forced to take 2 minute cold showers, eat every morsel on their plates or get yelled at, be asleep by 9 or get yelled at, keep up with the pack or get left behind, etc. It's like boot camp for 10 year olds. Both my kids are in scouts and know how to camp. This experience was nothing like scouts, which is actually fun for them. I'm also a teacher and had the opportunity to go with my school to science camp at Walden West one year. I saw kids crying and throwing up because they had so much anxiety about being away from their parents for the first time, yet the counselors refused to let them call home. They would give the teachers special deserts at dinner time and I felt so guilty eating it in front of the kids as they watched. I turned down the deserts after the first night. If I could go back in time, I would have never sent my kids here. I would have just taken the week off of work and done something fun with them instead. read more

Unfortunately, I never had the fortune of going here for science camp, but I came here 3 times as a counselor and it was awesome! The kids were so adorable, it hurt me every time to leave. :[ But I love it here all the same--the hikes, 2-minute showers, eco-action projects, being hoppers, lights out, reading them stories, low food waste, campfires, singing songs, hanging out with the kids during recess... I miss that. :[ I wish I had more free time; I'd love to go back as a counselor again. read more

One of the worst experience of my life happened cause of the neglect this place provided. Because I was Lactose intolerant they just didn't feed me for a entire week I kept trying to call my parent for help even threaten hurting myself I was so desperate. The Camp and Campbell Middle School worked together to cover it up. I was so starving I rejected an vomited when I snuck some food from the salad bar on the last day. They also don't dry the towels so you child will be drying themselves with a drenched wet and moldy towel. read more

Ohhh... Walden West.... I have fond memories of this place... but not as a child... I volunteered to be a cabin leader during my senior year of highschool. All my teachers advised against it because there would be a lot of catching up to do after I got back, but I went anyway. No regrets, I loved every minute of it. We had a choice of whom we wanted to lead and my friend Janet and I both agreed to get a boy cabin cuz little girls are drama. Haha. Our cabin was called the Newts. (All cabins had an animal theme to them). Anyway, I think our cabin was a little disappointed at first that they didn't have a "BOY" cabin leader, but we sure did grow on them. Almost all of them cried when it was time to go home... funny though, cuz both Janet and I did too... we built a strong bond although it was only 5 days. We felt like mothers to these kids! Haha! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Please don't be one of those clingy overprotective parents and let your kid go to science camp! It's educational, fun, and the food IS really good there. =D read more

My sister just got back from science camp at Walden West and she was praising about how amazing it was. I remember how great this place was back when I was in 6th grade. More than 10 years ago, oh how time has gone by! Things I remember: -AMAZING FOOD -adventurous field classes -cool staff -short, cold showers -beds were kinda un-comfy da LUCKLY I got a real mattress! The only one in my cabin. All in all, one of the best childhood memories I have! If you didn't get to go to Walden West when you were younger you missed out on a whole lot. PARENTS SEND YOUR KIDS HERE!! Your kids will love you forever. read more

Came here when I was a child and really liked my experience here! Loads of fun and you learn a little about our environment in the bay. read more

Walden West Center - Specialty Schools Near Me - Saratoga, California

BAAAAA-NAAAA-NAAA SLUG SLUG SLUG! 10 years later, and I still remember that song we learned from science camp. Or the other lame song we wrote as a cabin for activity night. Walden West was the ONE thing you looked forward to in elementary school. You sit through 5 long years, watching all the 6th graders head off to camp. Walden West was more than just a Science camp for many of us. It was a bonding experience, where friends talked, shared secret crushes, and got to socialize as a whole outside of the classroom. I never appreciated hot showers until Walden West, where cabin's had to work to gain the first-in-line spot of the two-minute showers. The showers got progressively colder, so we really worked for that first spot. And who could forget the night-hikes, where you were forced to hike off one-by-one through the forest with nothing but a flashlight, and where half the campers got lost due to a covered sign. Being a week away from home was the greatest thing to ever happen to a 6th grader. Walden West was filled with amazing food, awesome hikes, and spectacular staff. Definitely one of my greatest childhood memories. And who says you can't have a bowl of sugar with milk with cheerios for breakfast? read more

This place has helped my son grow so much his always asking to go back !! The kid counselors are great and the rest of the staff are very helpful with all his needs. read more

WW?!?!?! yeah...I was there in 5th grade.....and no, I'm not too old to remember 5th grade.....however I'm having difficulties remembering what I did yesterday.... arg - 2 minute showers....cold showers, trying to get under a certain amount of food waste everyday.....guiding myself out of the dark by the light cast from biting into mints.....crappy ass bunk beds......learning how to use a compass...... man I wish those were the least of my concerns today..... read more

Some of my best memories from high school were when I got to take a week off of school in order to volunteer at this wonderful science camp. It wasn't just the fact that playing hooky was cool-- cause it definitely was fun-- but the fact that you get to spend time with an awesome cast of fellow cabin leaders, learn from some really amazing field instructors, and lead a bunch of unruly, but precious, 5th and 6th graders. With that said, Walden West is a beautiful outdoor school with multiple trails around the campus that tour the redwood forest, meadows, rivers, and other natural environments the Saratoga mountains has to offer. The four-and-a-half day program is lead by field instructors that take the kids to many outdoor hikes while enlightening them about nature and the environment. During the four nights, the evening program includes: campfire night, a starlit night hike (sans light pollution), trivia night (to review what we've learned throughout the week) and a skit night (with a little surprise to close out the last night). The night hike is probably the most memorable as the kids learn to conquer their fears of the dark while the skit is a real testament to teamwork as the kids work together with students from other schools and districts to make a fun skit for their peers. And that's where you-- the cabin leader-- come in. Your job as the "rockstar" of your assigned group of munchkins is to be their babysitter, their discipline machine, their role model, and most importantly, their friend. It's definitely stressful at times-- you may run into homesickness, bedwetting, crying-- lots of crying, even boyfriend/girlfriend drama. From time to time, you forget how mature the campers are and you start to learn something about humanity in its current state and you can definitely see a little of yourself in the glistening of their eyes. What kills me is knowing that some of these kids don't come from the most privileged backgrounds. Tuition for the week's activities are already reasonable but hearing some stories of the kids having to mow lawns or do extra chores just so they can help pay for the expenses just adds to the experience. It creates a purpose in your week's affairs and really adds meaning to the term "volunteer." Although I didn't attend Walden West as a camper per se, I still had a great time as an oblivious kid running around in nature back in the 6th grade. By channeling my experience, it was definitely a personal goal of mine to make it special for the next generation of kids. I always hear stories of the campers that come back to become cabin leaders because of the impact it had on their childhood. Give them a ring if you're looking to fill some volunteer hours-- even if you have little to no experience working with kids. Something about returning to school the following week knowing that you've helped guide the life of a child in a positive direction really helps put things into perspective. I guarantee your life will never be the same. "R-A-C-C-O-O-N-S" "What does that spell?" "RACCOONS!" read more

I never went to Walden West as a 5th grader but I did volunteer there as a camp counselor three times during my junior and senior years of high school. My outdoor name was Cherry Blossom. For me, it was more of a legitimate excuse to spend a whole week with my boyfriend at the time without my parents watching over us. Don't worry, we didn't do anything inappropriate in front of the little kids. Actually, the kids all thought my boyfriend was dating my friend who was also a camp counselor with us. The first time I volunteered, I was in charge of about 10 girls. They whined and cried and I could barely stand it. My boyfriend was paired up with a guy named Terry who clearly had some problems. In fact, one night, he starting twitching & having severe convulsions in bed. He was sent away, never to return. We found out that it was because he had a reaction due to not using marijuana for the week. Alright, parents, don't be afraid to send your kids there. Most of the camp counselors are just fine but if your kid is a boy, he may have a girl counselor (there are always more girls who volunteer than boys). The actual teachers and full-time staff are really friendly and kids learn a lot in just one week. read more

Walden West was my first time away from my parents that wasn't a family member or close friend's house. I have so many fond memories of this place.... ...along with weighing all the food we don't eat, and trying to have the least amount of waste.... ....the night hike and the life saver candies that sparkled in your mouth.... ...the campfire songs..."dirt made my lunch..doodoodoodoo...dirt made my lunch.....dooodooodooodooo...thank you dirt, thanks a bunch...." and of course "baaaanaaaanaaa slug, bananananana baaaaanaaaanaaa slug"...... ...sharing a cabin with a whole bunch of other girls.... ....having the boys hang out by the showers so they can see us in our bathing suits...... Being raised in San Jose, you can talk to almost any person and they could relate to Walden West. :) I hope the tradition can be carried on for many more years to come. :) read more

Kissing banana slugs Chewing mint lifesavers in the dark in a forest Singing songs A week away from your family in the 5th grade A bowl of sugar with a side of frosted flakes just to make the other kids laugh 2 minute showers .... some 16 years later Walden West holds some fond memories. read more

I'm frustrated by the fact that last year they picked up the kids at Saratoga High School in order to ease the burden of driving up the mountain on parents. This year they took that perk away but the fee appears to be the same. The camp si ok but it isn't good enough to justify the extra 20-25 minutes up and down the hill to drop off and again in the afternoon. I am also surprised they needed to bring in their own money to buy ice cream. $1 a day is not a big deal but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth as a parent. Just include it in the fee for Pete's Sake! read more

I am giving this very low rating to Walden West not to the quality of their camp and counselors, which I believe is stellar, but to their terrible customer service. It is very clear that the people who respond to the WaldenWestSummerCamp email address have never had any experience in working with customers. I have received mis-information from them regarding payment dues, very rude emails when a payment was almost missed (unbeknownst to me-- I thought the payment had successfully gone through the system) and an even ruder follow up from the nameless person in customer service after I complained about the confusion and rudeness of the emails. I am now requesting a conversation with the director so that I can clearly communicate my experience. I don't mind Walden West to be disorganized. I don't mind getting conflicting information. It is, after all, a tax-funded, not-for-profit program. However, I do mind receiving rude emails when all I am trying to do is get the best camp experience possible for my children. It's truly a pity that an organization as well-heralded as Walden West can fall down so terribly when it comes to simple customer service duties. read more

If I could give this place zero stars I would. This place is a complete dump, I went to science camp here many years ago and I still cring when I hear the words "Walden West". The food was completely disgusting, they get you up super early, you only get two minutes to shower and the water has this awful smell to it. I would never and will never allow my child to attend science camp in this disgusting place!!! read more

My sister was an administrator and camp counselor. My kids have good memories of this place. I've seen many kids around the valley wearing Walden West t-shirts and sweat shirts. This is the place that many fifth graders who attend public schools in the County of Santa Clara go for science camp - and for some of them this is the first experience they have away from home without family. The staff at Walden West are dedicated to teaching children about the environment. Some of the kids that attend science camp never have had the experience of camping or hiking a trail. My kids had many experiences throughout the years which included walking a llama, feeding snakes baby mice, hiking, and eating vinegar ants. They learned why recycling is so very important, how eco-systems are linked and what we can do to respect the environment. My daughter was a camp counselor during her junior and senior years in high school. During our visit this weekend, we were happy to see that the center is being rennovated. In addition to the swimming pool that was added in 2000, a beautiful new lodge is in the process of being finished that houses a new kitchen and amphitheater that is compliant with ADA laws. New cabin areas are already existing on the campus along with plans for additional rennovations to be done in the near future. I do not doubt that Walden West will be around to educate and provide memorable experiences for generations to come. read more

I remember going to Walden West in 5th grade. It's very fun and teaches you(r kids) about the environement and animals. They teach you(r kids) responsibility and have talent shows, story telling times, do chores, and hiking and outdoor things. The food they give to you(r kids) is really good and healthy!! It's about a week of the science camp. If you have a chance to become a camp counselor or your kids/younger siblings have a chance to go to Walden West, I'd highly reccomend it! read more

I have selective memory, so I remember what I want to remember. Well, come to think of it...nevermind. As a child, most schools who are in 5th grade, come here to spend a week to learn about "science." Oddly, I never thought of it that way. I was looking at it as an adventure, a new experience and making new friends. Walden West did all that for me. I remember the two minute showers (which sucked), the cabin's bunkbeds (mattresses felt stiff as a rock), the night hike and chewing on some mints that you can see sparks crackle in your mouth, the nature and it's course, singing songs, arts and crafts, the nutritious food the kids served (note: the volunteers didn't do it), the cabin check/clean up, late night talks, sneaking around, etc. memories.... read more

wow, wow.. you can yelp science camp too.. um dang, I don't even know where to begin. Came here first in 5th grade when I was 10. Came back when I was..............18? 19? Been back here every year since then with my alum mater, Vinci Park Elementary. From the science camp for the 5th graders during the school year to the summer camp, it's so much fun for the kids. The staff are ALL super cool and hella down to earth. The volunteer cabin leaders and summer counselors totally make it happen for the kids though. If you went here, I'm sure you remember your cabin leader(s) and not the field class instructors. So yea, if you're in high school, college or in life and you're looking to have a killer volunteer gig for a week with unlimited grub, chill lodging, FRESH MOUNTAIN AIR and obxniousness with kids, then this is the place to be. You can totally volunteer and register online. Just google it. So stoked to be back up there in April in like 2 weeks. =D read more

Walden West Center - cabin leader craziness #1 - Specialty Schools Near Me - Saratoga, California

Most amazing place ever! I went here once in 2011 and was it a experience! I went there to volunteer as a cabin leader, my main duty was to watch the 5th grade campers that was attending the science camp for one week. The staff here at Walden West is great, they are nice, and always willing to help you out. Being a cabin leader at Walden West is a big moment in my life. One of the best memories from high school. By the end of the week, it's hard to say goodbye. Attending Walden West as a cabin leader has given me the chance to improve leadership skills. After a exhausting week, it was all worth it. I enjoyed being here. Great experience! read more

Walden West Camp is definitely a life changing event in children's lives as well as the cabin leader's life. It is basically a give and get back experience. The at Walden West currently are extremely friendly. Kids will love the field instructors no matter who they are assigned to. Every morning, kids will start of their day with Scooby Stories, which hype up the kids for an excited day at camp. The food here is great and the camp really emphasizes on not wasting food. As for being a cabin leader, I recommend anyone (they require you to be 16 or a HS sophomore) to volunteer as a cabin leader. Walden West will definitely give you more than mere volunteering hours. As a leader, you will be greeted and welcomed into the the community of past and current cabin leaders. The kids will automatically love you (as NightHawk would stress so much). Through out the week, you will build connections with these kids and they will remember you. Being a cabin leaders brings the goal of leaving a mark in each child's life. TINDER OUT! :D read more

As of the 2018-2019 school year Walden West no longer requires parent chaperones in the cabins and during their programming. Our school principal invited a few parent volunteers and suggested that we observe the curriculum in action. I'm not sure why that was but at the very least, the student to teacher ratio is much higher here than at all the other outdoor education programs I have experienced to date. The aides are often high school students themselves. Training is mostly on-the-job. Some instructors lead talks on topics that they seem to know little about beyond their scripting. The kids were at one point preemptively asked to hold their questions. As in, don't ask. There was no Q&A for the astronomy talk. There are no books to be found here. This may be fine for kids who have never left the city. This is not good for informed children. Despite the size of the property, we were repeating certain trails and some kids started to lose interest by the end of the week. What took me aback the most was that the instructors did not seem comfortable having me as an additional chaperone during the field classes. They initially encouraged folks like me to go do our own hikes until I informed them that our principal insisted upon our presence in each group. I've since had the privilege of attending a 6 night Scouts BSA summer camp for about the same cost and it has none of the above shortcomings. I had initially refrained from submitting a review because I thought that tight finances were at play. In hindsight I think the site is also mismanaged because it is solely under the control of SCCOE (versus the rented private facilities at Walden West Cupertino). I hope that a responsible person in a position of authority at SCCOE will step in and turn Walden West Saratoga around. I'm sure it used to be great. Plus the schools desperately need these outdoor education facilities that inspire more students to value, protect, and learn from the natural world. The kids are safe and enjoy some of the new autonomy but I'm not sure that they're inspired by the lessons, disrepair, and obvious hypocrisy with one-time-use items in the dining hall because a dishwasher had been out of commission for months. That's a bit disappointing for 5 days away from their regular classroom. read more

First of all... who signed up school for a "outdoor school" in the dead of the winter anyway? Maybe using the school to fill the spot? A more than acceptable percentage of kids came home sick. Toilets were beyond repair and many kids vomited at the camp after meals. It's been a week after the Camp the sickness is still lingering and passing around, even teachers got sick. The general hygiene at this place is substandard. Kids still "love" it, it's more of an emotion thing than an actual learning experience. read more

I have to say my memories of this place are not very pleasant. The counselor dragged my innocent cabin mates and my sleeping butt out in the middle of the night to punish the few offenders. I stood shivering in the middle of the night staring at a wall in a hallway. I was 10, this was my first trip away from home, and my first camping trip. So naturally, now as an adult I'm not a big fan of camping. I just like to add if I ever run into those camp counselors again or those brats that resulted in me being wrongfully punished... it's going to get UGLY. Overall, my experience was horrible. Last showers were cold. Food was TERRIBLE. Our cabin was extremely far and not only that the counselors were very UNfriendly. This was about 15 years ago, but I still would not go back, even if I was paid. However, I did enjoy the day/night nature hikes though... read more

My child has attended the Summer Camp periodically, a winter Science Camp, and more recently, Leader In Training (LIT) camp. The lead counselors are positive, experienced, and passionate, work long hours tirelessly, excellent at teaching the kids, and develop the older counselor-in-training kids as future leaders, mentors and counselors. This camp gives your child a great opportunity to explore, and grow on a number of levels. Cannot say enough good things about their Leader in Training program. For the negative reviews: think about the expectations with which you go into this camp. -I do not feel it is a money grab at all. Campers can expect to pay $1-2 for optional ice cream or treats if they so choose. Starts teaches kids about money, and keeping track of their money, and making decisions, I think. Probably the lowest upsell on goods of any similar camp. Another camp on the other side of the mountains tells kids to bring $30-$60 for the week. -Their normal school bus shuttling from Saratoga was affected by the winter's rains and partial Sanborn Road washout, now prohibiting long/heavy vehicles like a school bus. They have since scrambled to get passenger vans while waiting for the road to be repaired. -Also, those teen counselors which were faulted in another review have more training than quoted, are monitored by senior staff, and have evaluations. Having seen some of the paperwork which goes on behind this, I can say that all the leads there are now extremely watchful, camper-focused, and dedicated to constant improvement. If you have a serious concern, I recommend talking live with the Director. She sends her own kid to the camp, too. read more

One child thinks this place is okay, my other one HATES IT!!! The counselors do not do enough to help the new kids out AND to make matters worse, they did not even place my child with her friend, and both families requested this... WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO A CHILD!!! This place is a MONEY GRAB!!! BE CAREFUL!!! They do not provide food for lunch but want almost $500 for a 5 day camp. WE WILL NOT BE GOING HERE NEXT YEAR... obviously, I would recommend you find a different "camp" for your children. read more

My son just returned from his 5th grade science camp at Walden West. He had a great time. The kids who didn't get to go because of over protective parents missed out on a wonderful learning experience. Like many parents, this was the first time that our child was away from home for a week. Of course, we had concerns and worries, but we knew that we had to let our child learn to be independent. I have heard from other parents how wonderful the Walden West staff were so that gave us peace of mind. Early in the school year, Walden West had an open house so the families could visit and see the facilities and ask questions. The cabins were very nice and the dining hall was huge and new. Our son enjoyed his cabin leader and the activities. He said the showers were no big deal. We did have him practice taking quick showers so he would be more prepared. Showers are taken with swimsuits on so there is some modesty and no embarrassment. He liked the food there and some kids were assigned duties as servers. The kids were all required to bus their own trays and utensils. Our son enjoyed the field classes and said the Scooby stories were funny. The cabin leaders are called by their nature names and each kid gets to pick their own nature name. I think the school teachers like going to science camp because they just get to kick back, relax, and let the cabin leaders take care of the kids. My son did lose his pajama pants on the first day of camp. He said he changed his clothes, put his pajama pants on his suitcase and left for field class. When he returned, his pajama pants were gone. Another kid didn't have his medication returned to him after he returned to school. It got misplaced. If your child needs medication, they are held at the health hut and the child needs to go there to get it. Make sure everything is labeled. After returning from science camp, he was singing the Banana Slug song that he learned from camp while I was driving. He was also teaching the song to his little sister. As a kid who isn't into singing, I was pleasantly surprised to hear him singing a song he learned at camp. I'm hoping that my son will be able to return as a cabin leader someday. read more