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County Junior Rangers

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

In order to register for a Walden West session please follow these steps. Create a profile. If you have already created a profile go directly to the "register" link. Register Follow the payment link in step 2 to complete the process The following sessions are still available: Wild Things 6/30, 7/7, 7/21 and Day Camp 6/30, 8/18 The following sessions have the shortest wait lists: Day Camp 6/16, 6/23, 7/7, 8/11 Your placement on the wait list is much better than the number you will receive. We also expect a lot of movement between now and summer. Create Profile for Summer Camp When you create your family profile for summer camp registration, use an email address we can communicate with; all messages will go to this address. If you created a profile last year, it is still active. You may wish to test it before registration on Feb. 29. If you do not remember your password, click on Register for Summer Camp to log in and send for a new one. You can also change the password to make it easier to use.   Register for Summer Camp On-line Registration for Summer Camp starts Feb 29, 7:30 a.m. Click on Register for Summer Camp to log in and continue registration.   Make Payment Some people are experiencing problems when paying. We need to see the specific error message in order to rectify the problem. If you receive an error message, you can help by copying the page and faxing it to 408 867-9667. Call us at 408 573-3050 so that we can take your payment information. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Experience the flavor of Walden West Center programs by stepping into our Web site. Find out why more than 400,000 students have enjoyed the Walden West Outdoor Science School program for over fifty years, why teachers choose to bring their students back year after year and why children say this is the most exciting activity of their school career. Learn about our award winning summer programs and the young child to adult experiences we provide.

 "Naturally Speaking..."
 Specifics about Walden West Outdoor School

Walden West History
Since 1950, the Santa Clara County Office of Education has provided a unique, hands-on outdoor education experience for fifth and sixth grade students. During the 2004-2005 school year, close to 8,500 students accompanied by teachers from 125 schools and 23 districts spent a week at Walden West Outdoor School.

The Summer Day Camp for 7-12 year olds began in 1984 as a way to offset the cost of Outdoor School. It is acknowledged in its own right and was recently recognized by Bay Area Parent Magazine as one of the top five camps in the Bay Area.

The popularity of the Day Camp program encouraged the center to begin the Walden West Backpack Adventure program in 1998 to accommodate the needs of adventurous older children.

Wild Things for five and six year olds was added in 2002 and was quickly followed by the Leaders in Training program in 2003 to provide leadership skills to potential counselors 13-14 years of age.

The Leaders in Training (LIT) program began in 2003. It helps bridge the gap between day camper and counselor by building leadership skills preparing 13 and 14 years olds for counselor positions.

Walden West Center programs continued to grow when Windows to Our Watershed and Growing Gardens for Growing Minds were begun in 2004. Both of these programs provide experiences for students at or near their schools.

Additional services provided by the Walden West Center include a conference center for school district in-services, youth groups, community organizations and a retreat center for local businesses.

We offer these programs throughout the year:

SCHOOL PROGRAMS		SUMMER PROGRAMS
Outdoor Science School A week long residential science program for 5th and 6th graders.   Growing Gardens for Growing Minds A new outreach program that reintroduces students to their school gardens with state standards aligned science activities.   Windows to Our Watershed (WOW) This program takes learning from the classroom to local creeks, rivers, and bay and helps them make connections to their watershed. All activities are aligned to state standards.		Wild Things A day camp for children ages 5 to 6   Summer Day Camp A day camp for children ages 7 to 12   Leaders in Training Counselor training and self esteem building for teens ages 13 to 14   Backpack Adventure 3 to 10 day backpacking trips for ages 12 to 18. Registration for Wild Things, Day Camp and Leaders in Training program starts on February 29.