Our programs provide experiential nature education for youth of the Piedmont. These classes, camps, and residencies inspire within children a greater understanding of, and respect for, the natural environment through vivid learning in the outdoors.
Most of our programs occur within the 400+ acre West Point on 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 many plants 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.
Register online for our programs
Our Programs for Families
Summer and Intersession Camps
Week long day camps and excursion camps celebrate the natural world with youth ages 5-17. Our camp programs in the Winter, Fall, Spring, and Summer are cherished by parents and children throughout the community.
Outdoor School
Outdoor School is our ongoing mentoring program for area home-school students. Offered seasonally, in once a week series, in Durham and in Raleigh.
Be a CIT (counselor in training)
Schoolhouse of Wonder’s Counselor-in-Training Program is driven by a desire to offer a focused leadership training program. This, coupled with program offerings for 12-16 year olds in peer-based outdoor camp experiences, provides a diversity of opportunities for young leaders in our community.
Campers who are 13 or 14 years old and sincere in looking for leadership experience, are invited to apply for our CIT 1 positions in the 5-7 year old camps at a reduced tuition rate. This cost allows us to provide leadership program offerings for CITs in these camps, including structured leadership opportunities, weekly planning sessions and a leadership development session under the direction of our lead teacher. Children who are 15 may apply for CIT 2 positions with our 8-12 year old camps.
Fee Structure for CITs:
CIT 1 Position - 13 and 14 year olds: $135.00 per camp.
CIT 2 Position - 15 years old: Free, pending acceptance to the program.
Acceptance into the CIT program is contingent on the CIT’s ability to attend the required training day on Saturday, June 09, 2012, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Parents: We realize that some of you have children who are mature beyond their years and we are certainly open to considering exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Based on their past performance, we may also choose to honor the commitment of talent of younger CITs, by inviting their participation free of charge.
To apply for our Counselor in Training Program, please download our CIT application, complete and mail to arrive by March 30, 2012, to:
Schoolhouse of Wonder, Attention CIT Program, 5101-B North Roxboro Rd, Durham, NC 27704.
You will be notified of assignments and invoiced for any tuition fees.
Questions: Call Eli at 919 477-2116
Our Programs for School Groups
Nature School
Our Nature School Program is a day long field trip experience for elementary age children. This occurs every Fall and Spring and reaches over 3,000 children per year.
CAPS Program
Our CAPS programs are science, folklore and living history residencies that that we bring into local classrooms during the months of December, January, February, and March.
Additional On- and Off-Site School Programs
Our programs are not limited to the above options. We have a number of topics we can teach to a wide range of audiences, at our site or yours.
Our Adult Programs
We occasionally run workshops and study groups for adults, as well.