Leaders in Training
For youth entering 8th grade
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Updated 10/5/23 - Per the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the California Department of Public Health, all participants of Walden West Outdoor School and Summer Programs are recommended to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
As of September 22, 2023 here are the updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
All participants, regardless of vaccination history, are strongly encouraged to get the appropriate updated vaccination based on their age.
All volunteers and staff for the Santa Clara County Office of Education, including Walden West, are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19. This includes the original series OR the new 2023-2024 vaccination dose(s).
For over 15 years, the Walden West Leaders in Training (LITs) program has helped develop former campers into the role models we look for in our summer counselors. Participants build and enhance their leadership skills focusing on social and emotional learning, promoting positivity, a growth mindset, and creating a safe place for campers to be their best and be accepting of others.
LITs also learn how to belay at our ropes course and contribute to a community service project. Our 1:10 staff-to-LIT ratio allows for personalized observation and feedback to most effectively train our future leaders and fill their leadership toolkits.
Since LITs participate and interact with the Summer Day Camp, they are invited to the Thursday night BBQ and campfire. LITs may also opt to stay for the night hike and spend the night under the stars. The LITs Thursday BBQ dinner and Friday breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee.
Upon successful completion of the one-week LIT program or with a recommendation from staff, LIT graduates may join the Counselor in Training (CIT) program the following year.
Summer 2024 dates. Links will take you to Ultra Camp to login and register.
Session A - Week of July 15-19 - $675 per child
Session B - Week of July 22-26 - $675 per child
Session C - Week of July 29 - Aug. 2 - $675 per child
Each session is the same with the same information and the same schedule. Limit one session per child per summer.
Frequently Asked Questions (updated 1/19/2024)
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
Do I need to make a new account if my kids attended last summer?
Nope! Your account should still be active.
I am a new user to Ultra Camp. How do I create an account and profile for my child?
Parents/guardians will be setting up the account, and should Watch this video
Link to Ultra Camp
Click on “New User” and then follow the prompts to create an account.
On the My Account page, click on “Add Person” to make a profile for your child. Follow the prompts. Our programs are based on grade level, so be sure you have “Child” selected, and you have them in the grade they are going into. Repeat this step for all children attending including teenage children who will be HIGH SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS.
How do I register my child for a session? (after creating an account and your child's profile)
Login in to Ultra Camp.
Along the top menu bar, click on “Reservations”
Click on the "
Select your session and follow the instructions to fill out the online registration
What if I forgot my username and password?
Click on the “Forgot your login information?” link and enter your email address. Your login information will be sent to you. If that still does not work, please email us at wwsummercamp@sccoe.org and we will send you the information you need.
What paperwork do I need to complete?
You can complete the online paperwork before you register or during registration. If you complete the forms before, you’ll just be asked to sign to confirm them during the registration process.
Login in to Ultra Camp.
From the side menu , select “Document Center”.
Complete the following forms for each participant:
Health Form (all programs)
Participant Waiver (all programs)
SUMMER Rules for Safety & Behavior
SUMMER Programs Additional Information
Transportation Authorization (day programs)
SCCOE demographic information
What happens when it says the person is too old for the session?
Check to make sure you’re making a reservation for your child and not the parent/guardian or high school volunteer.
If the child’s profile was set to an adult, you’ll have to edit this to “Child” and then make sure to have the correct grade level you’re being asked for.
Why can’t I see the right session to Register for?
Sometimes when registering an individual for a specific session, you may not see that session in the eligible sessions list. Because UltraCamp filters out ineligible sessions, there are a number of reasons why this particular session may not show.
Why is a session ineligible?
Registration for this session is closed/over.
The individual is too old/young for this session.
The session is full.
Why is the reason for being ineligible not displaying?
Occasionally, UltraCamp will not display a reason why a session is ineligible. The most common causes for this are:
A preexisting, concurrent reservation.
Check their list of existing reservations to make sure they don't already have a session that conflicts with the desired one.
Session is actually in the shopping cart.
If you can see the session in the list but your client is not seeing it, have them look for a shopping cart icon and review the items in their cart to verify that it isn't already there.
Is there a deposit or payment plan?
Not at this time. The full amount will be required at check-out.
What if I didn’t receive my confirmation email after check-out?
The confirmation email will go to the email associated with the Primary Contact person on Ultra Camp. If you have not received it after your completed registration and payment, and it is not in your “spam” or “junk” inboxes, then please email wwsummercamp@sccoe.org
Is there a cancellation policy?
Cancellations can be made through Ultra Camp up until 11:59pm on the Wednesday before your session. After that time, any cancellation requests can be sent to wwsummercamp@sccoe.org for the $150 cancellation fee or $75 to switch to available weeks.(see information packet, page 8)
Are there scholarships available? - Updated 2/7/23
At this time, there are no scholarships available for our summer programs.
Can I register my child for more than one week?
Yes, but only for children eligible for Wild Things and Summer Day Camp. Trail Blazers, Leaders in Training (LITs), and Counselors in Training (CITs) should be limited to one session per child per summer as the curriculum is going to be the same each session.
PROGRAM RELATED QUESTIONS:
What is included in registration?
Program T-shirt
Arts & crafts materials
Ice Cream after lunch each day (Wild Things will get ice cream on Friday after lunch)
For overnight programs: included meals are dinner, then the following day breakfast, and lunch.
Optional bus service to and from Walden West (our off-site drop-off and pick-up location is West Valley College)
Use of our swimming pool and ropes course (all programs except Trail Blazers)
Who needs to be vaccinated for COVID-19 at Walden West?
All Walden West employees and volunteers are REQUIRED to be fully vaccinated (and boosted if eligible) for COVID-19. Participants are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated.
Is there a face mask policy?
Face masks are only required indoors (Thursday and Friday when going inside to get meals), and for anyone riding the bus.
Is there anything for teenagers?
We have the Leaders in Training for incoming 8th graders and the Counselors in Training for incoming 9th graders. Please see the information packet for the details.
For incoming sophomores and older, we have our volunteer counselors. Please visit our summer volunteer website.
Is there anything for families?
Not this year.
Will my kids be in the same day camp group with their friends?
Yes. We will be dividing up the campers by grade level on the first day, so similar grade levels will be together and we’ll ask friends to stay together when we make the groups.
How do you divide the campers into groups?
By grade level, we'll have up to 8 groups.
Example: group 1 will have mostly 2nd graders, group 8 will have mostly 7th graders.
Can both of my kids be in the same day camp group even though they are in different grade levels?
Yes. The older sibling will need to go down to the younger sibling’s group level.
Who uses the ropes course and climbing wall?
Summer Day Camp groups 1-4 (entering grades 2 thru 4)
participate on the low ropes course and climbing wall
Summer Day Camp groups 4-8 (entering grades 5 thru 7)
participate in the low ropes course, climbing wall, and high ropes course
Leaders in Training
learn belay skills and climb on our high ropes course
Counselors in Training
participate in their assigned group’s activities
Trail Blazers & Wild Things
Have the opportunity to participate on the low ropes course
Is there a bus?
Yes. Please see the bus information on page 12 and map on page 25 of the information packet.
Is there an early drop-off or late pick-up?
Yes. If your child is not taking the bus, you can drop off your child at Walden West starting at 8:00am. Pick up at Walden West is anytime before 4:30pm. There is a late pick up fee of $100 if your child is picked up after 4:30pm. Please see the bus information on page 12 and map on page 25 of the information packet.
I have kids in multiple programs during one week. How does that work with the overnights?
We're glad you asked! Here are some examples of what can happen on those weeks where you have kids in more than one program:
Day Camper and CIT: both are scheduled for the Thursday evening dinner, campfire, and overnight. If either does not wish to participate, you will have to pick them up at Walden West before 8:00pm on Thursday, and return them to Walden West Friday morning by 9:00am.
Day Camper and Wild Thing: Since the day camp program has activities going up to 4:30pm, and sign outs for dinner begin at 6:00pm, we will have Wild Thing staff and counselors supervising any Wild Things until they are signed out at 6:00pm. Wild Things do not stay overnight.
Wild Thing and Trail Blazer or LIT: Similar to the above scenario, Wild Things can be supervised until 6:00pm. Wild Things do not stay overnight.
Day Camper and Trail Blazer: Similar to Wild Things. On Wednesday evenings, the Day Camper staying for dinner and campfire can be signed out at 6:00pm with their Trail Blazer sibling. Day Campers do not stay overnight on Wednesday. Vice Versa for Thursday evenings; the Trail Blazer sibling can stay for dinner and campfire. Trail Blazers do not stay overnight on Thursday.