Mission Statement
Foundation Mission: To empower the children of Santa Clara County to develop a life-long passion for science, engineering, and environmental stewardship. Foundation Goals : Provide students of all ages, from across all demographic backgrounds, an opportunity to learn about natural sciences, sustainability and environmental stewardship in a setting that encourages personal growth, emotional maturity and respect for others. Support existing school-year and summer programs by creating and maintaining strong connections amongst Walden West, Santa Clara County Office of Education, and the local community, including businesses and individuals who have the varied knowledge, skills and professional expertise to provide assistance. Work together to develop partnerships to raise funds and write grants that promote and enhance Walden West facilities and programs.
Description
ABOUT WALDEN WEST
For over 60 years Walden West has provided a respected week-long residential environmental science educational experience to Santa Clara County’s 5th and 6th grade students. Beginning in 1950, as Redwood Glen, the Santa Clara County Office of Education has operated programs in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Since 1982, the program has operated at the Walden West facility and now provides outdoor school experiences to 10,000 students each year. We operate at two sites; our primary site, which is owned by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, is located on 35 acres in the Saratoga hills adjacent to Sanborn County Park, and the second is in the Cupertino foothills, leased through VIA Rehabilitation at Stevens Canyon County Park.
To meet a growing demand for additional science programs, we created Growing Gardens for Growing Minds to engage students in outdoor garden learning at their own school.
Most recently, we began an exciting program for K-8 students that combines science, sustainability, and the outdoors in day-long science and environmental programs using the new Abby Sobrato Science and Sustainability Center at Walden West.
All Walden West programs are hands-on, standards-rich, and take advantage of the outdoors to teach science concepts while introducing students to natural environments. They are based on the California state science standards and integrate Common Core objectives. As the Next Generation Science curriculum is developed, it, too, will be integrated into the lessons.
