A program especially for home-schoolers
The days that we spend together at Outdoor School are not ordinary days, they are extraordinary. Each day is a new opportunity to deepen our awareness, build excitement, participate in community and to develop skills many people don’t believe are possible!
In accordance with the traditions of native people across the world we will share ancient stories and songs, practice wilderness skills, and seek the wisdom that is hidden within each of us. We will spend each day fully immersed in nature, learning all that we can from the animals, plants and people around us.
Schoolhouse of Wonder is a team of experienced mentors and wilderness teachers who use games, stories, questions and subtle coaching methods to encourage curiosity, awareness and a passion for learning about nature. Our curriculum comes from the discovery of teachable moments, which emerge organically and constantly when we practice mindful community in natural spaces. We believe that by exploring the natural world with a questioning mind young people can learn invaluable critical thinking and investigative skills. Our goal is to develop within each member of our community the motivation and inspiration to continue learning long after our time together is over.
We will explore:
- Creating community spaces in the natural world,
- Fire building techniques,
- Imaginative play and learning,
- Campfire cooking
- Animal tracking
- Map-making and orienteering,
- Artistic investigations of the natural world,
- Scientific investigations of the natural world,
- Awareness exercises,
- Community building.
We will encourage curiosity, awareness, leadership, integrity, teamwork, playfulness, an intense desire to learn, and a deepening respect for all life. The experience of being in nature and being in community can give us an opportunity to learn who we are and who we want to become.
A very low student to teacher ratio will help facilitate the individual learning process for every student. Please note: Outdoor School programs will be held at West Point on the Eno Park in Durham, and at Schenck Memorial Forest in Raleigh. We are looking forward to this opportunity to strengthen the community building aspect of our Outdoor School program.
New start time this season! Outdoor School Programs will run one day a week, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, through the season described in the right hand banner. In Raleigh, we will offer an optional 9:00 AM drop off time.
Also, new this season… Little Cricket Clan, Mondays in Durham for ages 4-6 will meet 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with an option for 2 hour “extended” day care from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.
Please register on-line. Our Fall Outdoor School Programs are at the bottom of the program list. Be sure to scroll down.
Fall 2010 Tuition:
Turtle Clan: Ages 6-11, Mondays in Durham
Session 1: Aug. 30 - Sept.13, $105/student. FULL
Session 2: Oct.18 - Nov. 8, $140/student.
Session 3: Nov. 15 - Dec. 13, $175/student.
Little Cricket Clan: Ages 4-6, Mondays in Durham
Session 1: Aug. 30 - Sept. 13, $75 ($95 with extended care) FULL
Session 2: Oct. 18 - Nov. 8, $100/student ($125 with extended care).
Raleigh Outdoor School: Ages 6-11 at Schenck Forest
Session 1: Aug. 31 - Sept. 14, $105/student FULL
Session 2: Oct. 19 - Nov. 9, $140/student FULL
Session 3: Nov. 16 - Dec. 14, $175/student.