Cabin Leaders
Contact Information: waldenwestvolunteers@sccoe.org • (408) 573-3056
Updated 10/5/23 - Per the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the California Department of Public Health, 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).
Adults who need to volunteer as behavioral or medical aides should contact waldenwestvolunteers@sccoe.org
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.
2024-2025 outdoor school calendar (subject to change)
5-day program = 100 service learning hours // 4-day program = 80 service learning hours
Update 9/5/24: We are no longer taking applications for Sep. 29 or Oct. 6.
For the week of Oct. 21, we are only accepting volunteers recruited by the attending schools.
Once your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted with registration details about your specific week. This may take up to 2 months so in the meantime, get your attendance and reference forms submitted.
Questions? Call (408) 573-3056 or email waldenwestvolunteers@sccoe.org
High School Cabin Leaders
2024-2025 Cabin Leader Information Packet (high school students)
Requirements -
High school sophomore, junior, or senior
Completed forms can be uploaded through our registration system Ultra Camp.
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.
Under 18 now but will be 18 when at camp - Print and have a parent/guardian sign this form. Take it with you to your appointment.
18 and older - Print and complete this form to take to your appointment.
Clearances may take up to 3 weeks. Please get printed as soon as possible! If you are not cleared, you will not be able to volunteer.
NOTE:
Female cabin leaders may be assigned to boys’ cabins.
Pre-assignment of cabins will only happen as necessary. i.e. if required by the attending schools or being placed in a sibling’s cabin.
Due to a combination of unknown factors such as final student enrollment and actual cabin leader attendance, there is no guarantee that cabin leaders will be partnered up with their cabin leader friends in the same cabin.
College Student, Parent, and Adult Cabin Leaders & Non-district Aides (for anyone 18+ and not in high school)
2024-2025 Adult Cabin Leader/Aides information packet
Requirements -
LiveScan fingerprinting
Free fingerprinting at the SCCOE. Schedule your appointment here
Print and complete this form to take to your appointment at ANY location
Clearance may take up to 3 weeks. Please get printed as soon as possible! If you are not cleared, you will not be able to volunteer.
Tuberculosis (TB) Assessment signed by healthcare provider
Non-parent volunteers need 2 Reference Forms
You can submit the TB assessment and Reference forms to waldenwestvolunteers@sccoe.org
NOTE:
Female cabin leaders may be assigned to boys’ cabins.
Pre-assignment of cabins will only happen as necessary. i.e. if required by the attending schools or being placed in a sibling’s cabin.