Walden West
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Walden West is an outdoor education facility located next to Sanborn Park in Saratoga, California. The program is designed for fifth and sixth graders who stay for spans of five days and four nights. The central theme of the school is that students learn best through hands-on activities. Lessons in the natural sciences are brought to life with the hope that through education, students will develop an understanding and sense of appreciation for the environment. The official logo of the school is the Banana Slug.
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[edit] Activities
During the Walden West program students have a chance to participate in many different activities and have the opportunity to see various animal species such as Deer, Snakes, Banana slugs, California Newts and Coyotes. Students are also provided with journal as an education aid. Every day students have two class periods where they will have a chance to learn with their field instructor about life sciences, conservation and the environment. The central point which students and teachers operate is called The Hub, and serves as a place for discipline, sickness, and a place to be rewarded for exemplifying the values of Walden West. Lights are out at 9:30 PM and students wake up at 7:00 AM. One long standing tradition at Walden West are "Scooby Stories", stories that a man whose nature name is Scooby writes. They are about a five year old boy and Barney, the purple dinosaur and are tweaked every time he tells it. After a week of outdoor school, students leave Walden West.
[edit] Academics
There is a different night activity everyday at Walden West.
| Day of the Week | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | Campfire |
| Tuesday | Astronomy |
| Wednesday | Night Hike |
| Thursday | Dance |
| Friday | Students won't be there |
[edit] Monday
During the campfire, students are led to the amphitheater and watch cabin leaders and staff perform skits and sing songs. Many of the songs are also educational, and often based off the tune of various pop music titles.
[edit] Tuesday
The Astronomy program starts off with a Power Point slide show presented by an instructor. Then students are split into groups where they will either play a game, or walk to a field where telescopes are brought out to view celestial objects that may be visible such as the Moon, Saturn, and Jupiter. Students also have access to binoculars to look at planets and constellations. A talk about constellations occurs while others are looking in the telescopes. To make the constellations easier to see, laser pointers are used. Cloudy days and/or rainy days change the schedule to accommodate.
[edit] Wednesday
Wednesday is Night Hike night. Students are led to explore local trails at night and to engage their senses. Activities vary from instructor to instructor, but all will use Life Savers to observe the phenomenon triboluminescence. A solo or paired hike is another common activity to allow students to experience nature and the night without being next to a neighbor.
[edit] Thursday
The dance takes place right outside the kitchen for around a hour or 2.
[edit] Friday
No program on Fridays due to the departure of students for home.
