Happy Campers at Walden West
What kid doesn’t want to go to summer camp? This iconic summer get-away is the dream of most grade- and middle-schoolers. The summer camp experience is a wonderful way for kids to get an early taste of independence, make new friends, learn life skills, and experience the beauty and mystery of the natural world.
Santa Clara Valley kids are lucky to have a very special type of summer camp right in their own backyard. Walden West Foundation operates an Environmental Education Center on its 35-acre campus located in Saratoga, CA. Adjacent to their property sits 3,500 acres of public redwood forest, streams, and chaparral.
On this wooded property, the Center provides year-round outdoor school learning, and during summer months stay-over summer camp programs are added to the curriculum. Both programs teach science concepts while introducing kids the wonders of nature first hand.
Walden West’s mission is to excite kids about nature, thereby nurturing what will hopefully become a life-long passion for science, engineering, and environmental stewardship. Annually, Walden West serves over 5,000 students during the school year and 2,000 more during the summer.
At a cost of $750 per student for a week-long school or camp experience, Walden West’s programs are above some families’ budget. One of Walden West Foundation’s goals is to make equitable access to outdoor learning available to all interested kids, regardless of family income.
Through its tuition assistance program, Walden West helps provide tuition fees for nature education programs to many students who otherwise would not be able to afford the cost of summer camp. Farrington was pleased to provide grant funding for tuition that enabled 50 deserving kids from local Title 9 schools to attend immersive week-long nature summer camp programs.
Small steps lead to great things. Teachers and students alike reported that “it was the best week of their lives.” Who knows how many budding scholars will be inspired to pursue careers as scientists, environmentalists, and naturalists through the joyful, immersive experience of attending Walden West nature camp.