Hemmes said the school made this decision to create continuity in the curriculum, even though the San Jose Unified School District approved the Walden West request at its Sept. 15 meeting.

"Galarza has traditionally gone to Camp Campbell and Hammer to Walden West," she said. "The Hammer staff has decided out of fairness to the school to give Camp Campbell a try."

The district's science camp program is part of the fifth-grade elementary school curriculum. It is a one-week outdoor program that educates students about nature and the environment in a hands-on manner.

Hammer Montesorri and Ernesto Galarza were consolidated for the school year beginning in 2004-05 as part of the district's ongoing plans to reduce its budget deficit.

All the schools in Willow Glen have opted to go to Camp Campbell for many years.

"Hacienda, Booksin, Canoas, Galarza, Gardner Academy, River Glen, Schallenberger and Willow Glen Elementary all participate in the Camp Campbell program," senior director of Camp Campbell Kara Walker said.

Camp programs such as Walden West and Camp Campbell are available to any school in the area.

"The process of having a contract approved starts with a teacher, principal or parent expressing interest in the program," director of Walden West Anita Parsons said. "The school then decides on how they will pay for the program and this depends on each school."

Some schools fundraise, others have the Parent Teacher Association pay for it and still others have the parents pay.

The cost per student to attend Walden West averages $200 per week, Parsons said. This includes instruction, room and board, and food. The cost for a student to go to Camp Campbell is $224 per week. Scholarships are also available at Camp Campbell for students.

"Some of the more popular reasons teachers and parents cite as motivators for choosing Camp Campbell include teachers at the camp have teaching credentials; a health supervisor is on staff; cabin leaders are already provided with the program so that schools don't have to bring chaperones; and a more camp-like experience than Walden West," Walker said.

"Also, many of the teachers here have made this a career choice," she said. "Teachers have been here for many years and schools like seeing familiar faces. They know what to expect."

"We're on the higher end of the range for camps but schools keep coming here because of the teachers and the experience," Walker said.

Hacienda Environmental Science Magnet School's principal Steve Berta said that the school has been attending Camp Campbell for more than 20 years.

"It has worked well for so many years that we have never looked anywhere else," Berta said. "It has been a collaborative relationship; very comfortable."