“Providing opportunities for people of the Triangle to connect with the Earth”
Many schoolchildren have never seen a river up close or stepped into a forest. Some do not know that plants get their energy from the sun; others cannot name the animals that live in our woods. Without such basic building blocks of experience and understanding our children will be ill-equipped to respond to complex environmental issues in their future.
Through hands-on discovery and playful adventure, Schoolhouse of Wonder inspired children to develop a heartfelt connection to, and a sense of wonder about, our Earth. We offer opportunities for children to develop the knowledge and skills they need to fully understand how to care for the Earth.
Schoolhouse of Wonder also offers classes in cultural history to further connect students to our community. Through an awareness of our shared heritage, children gain a sense of the rich traditions of the Piedmont region.
Inspiring Joy and Wonder
All of our programs take place between the bright blue sky and the forest floor: that is our Schoolhouse. This is a place for saturation of the senses, maturation of the heart, and enchantment of the mind. Ours in a unique environment of love and respect - a place for adventure, learning, and fun. Here we spark the sense of wonder on which children thrive.
Schoolhouse of Wonder offers a comprehensive natural history curriculum which teaches students about the connections among the Piedmont’s ecosystems and our role as humans within them. We emphasize an experiential, hands-on approach to learning, driven by students’ explorations and discoveries. We exercise techniques of questioning and imagining that help deepen children’s investigations of the worlds around them. Our lessons are often punctuated by memorable, teachable moments, such as the passing of a swallowtail butterfly or the arrival of the Great Blue Heron who lives by the Eno River. Above all, Schoolhouse of Wonder exists to share the wonders of life with everyone who comes to our programs. We do this by creating vivid learning experiences including:
- Nature School for elementary-age youth, offered during the Fall and Spring.
- Day Camps that provide week-long adventures during the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
- Long-term mentoring programs for homeschoolers and teenagers.
- Adult programs, providing an opportunity for the Triangle community to come together to learn from teachers and from each other.
- Classroom residencies in cultural history education through CAPS, the Durham Arts Council’s Creative Arts in the Public Schools program.
- In-school programs, overnight programs, family programs, and teacher trainings on science, nature, and cultural history topics.
A Special Place in Our Community
Schoolhouse of Wonder has been rooted in Durham, NC since 1989. The opportunities we offer our community are unique and highly valued among local schools and other Triangle groups. We offer many of our programs within West Point of the Eno Park. The Eno River, forest, meadows, and historic buildings provide a lush setting for learning.
The restored West Point Mill, for example allows us to teach students about local history, agriculture, and trade, while our organic garden offers herbs, perennials, and fruits with historical and cultural significance. Learning within such magical spaces allows children to directly experience how the natural world and human tradition have intermingled throughout history.
Schoolhouse of Wonder is a consortium of professional naturalists, teachers, gardeners, and artists. Each of our staff is exceptional in their love of nature and children. We inspire within children a greater understanding of, and respect for, the natural environment through learning, discovering, and playing together.
Members of the Triangle community often desire to share their time and energy with Schoolhouse of Wonder. Both our staff and programs benefit from this richness of volunteer talent and diversity of strength. We benefit, too, from the financial support of local government and businesses.
Working Together with You
At Schoolhouse of Wonder we are inspired by our community and the children we serve. We hope that, though our efforts, today’s children will guide us with a sense of joy, appreciation, and wonder for the natural world when they become tomorrow’s leaders.
We believe that all people, no matter their personal or economic background, have great potential to shape out future and should have the chance to connect with the Earth and experience the wonders of nature.
Schoolhouse of Wonder offers programs at an affordable rate for all students. As a result, we need the financial support of citizens and businesses in order to provide and expand our quality programs.