Schoolhouse of Wonder’s nature-based camps are grounded in the vision that open-hearted children become open-minded adults. At the Umstead State Park Whispering Pines location, nature provides the perfect landscape to build relationships, cultivate connection, and develop lifelong skills. Guided by intentional mentorship, campers explore forests, creeks, and meadows, engaging in activities that inspire both courage and care. Campers might learn to whittle with a pocketknife, throw a tomahawk, or leap into a river from a boulder—experiences that spark confidence and celebrate controlled risk-taking in a safe, supportive environment. Schoolhouse of Wonder is a place to grow wild and wise, to make muddy memories, and to find wonder in the woods. Each camp day begins and ends in circle—spaces of gratitude, reflection, and community where voices are heard and relationships deepen. Campers build lifelong skills through “Growth Rings,” a gentle challenge system that encourages personal milestones in areas like plant identification, primitive fire making, or animal tracking. Weekly “Family Circles” bring the community together to celebrate the week’s highlights and share stories under the trees. Schoolhouse of Wonder’s commitment to sending kids home “Dirty, Tired, and Happy” is backed up by a guarantee that allows families a refund for remaining camp days if the experience is not a good fit.