Cabin Leaders

UPDATED: 9/15/2022

Per the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the California Department of Public Health, all volunteers of the Walden West Programs are REQUIRED to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that volunteers receive a booster vaccination if they are eligible.

Click HERE for the most recent CDC vaccination updates.

Click HERE for more information on the COVID-19 vaccine and where to get vaccinated.

Click HERE for free COVID-19 testing sites.

UPDATE 4/11/23 - We are no longer taking Cabin Leader Applications for the weeks of 

March 26-31, April 9-14, April 16-21, and April 23-28

Contact information: waldenwestvolunteers@sccoe.org - 408.573.3056

Each school week, we host responsible volunteers in grades 10 through college (age 22 max) at our picturesque setting located on 32 acres in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains (10 mins. outside of downtown Saratoga). Volunteer Cabin Leaders act as positive role models working alongside our staff guiding 5th/6th grade campers.

Cabin Leaders stay in cabins with 14-18 students and utilize the skills they learn while at Walden West to ensure each young camper has a great experience throughout their week of residential outdoor school.

Cabin Leaders join a week of fun and personal growth as they develop/enhance their leadership skills. In field class they enrich their current knowledge in subject areas related to: Biology, Environmental Science, Physics/Engineering, Sustainable Living, and Physical Education.

Throughout the week they develop their interpersonal skills further preparing them for career/college by working on: problem solving, critical thinking, personal maturity, leadership, mentoring and gaining a sense of community.

CLICK HERE for the 2022-2023 Attending School Calendar
5-day program = 100 service learning hours  //  4-day program = 80 service learning hours

High School Cabin Leaders


2022-2023 Cabin Leader Information Packet & Registration


Training Information


Requirements -


If you are 18 or will be 18 at the time of volunteering, you are required to get fingerprinted as soon as possible at the Santa Clara County Office of Education. You do not need to wait until you're 18 to get printed so schedule your appointment for as early as possible.

College Student, Parent, and Adult Cabin Leaders & Non-District Aides

(for anyone 18+ and not in high school)


2022-2023 Adult Cabin Leader / Aide Information Packet & Registration


Training Information


Requirements -