Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We run camps and after-school programs in Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

We have several meeting points, mostly in Prospect Park West. Please read more about the meeting points below.

The School of Wonder is an outdoor-based educational program that meets in rain, sun, snow, and cold. We're inspired by nature and committed to spending as much time outside as possible.

On cold and rainy days, families are responsible for making sure that their children are dressed appropriately for the weather. We find that exploring the park in all weather conditions can be an empowering and magical experience if we are all dressed in the right gear:

• In the winter season, this means a winter jacket, snow pants, snow boots, mittens, hats, and lots of layers underneath to stay warm.

• In the rainier months, we recommend that kids wear raincoats, boots, and rain pants to stay dry.

• In the summer, they should come with a hat, cool clothing, sunscreen, and plenty of water.

(Updated Oct 3, 2023): Due to the closure of the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, we are currently in the process of finding an indoor space in which we can take refuge on the cold days of winter or in case of more extreme inclement weather. Read our Inclement Weather Plan for more updated details.

Our camps and programs are designed for children that are 5-11 years old. There are many benefits to having this mixed age group - the older children often step into leadership roles, acting as guides on our adventure walks, and the younger children are often the guardians of the imagination and wonder.

To participate in our programs, your child must be comfortable walking in nature, carrying their own backpack, being responsible for their own belongings, and being able to listen and communicate. In the past, we have found that many 4 year olds struggle with this level of activity. At the same time, some older 4 year olds have participated in our adventures and had a blast! Our goal is to ensure a positive and developmentally appropriate experience for all students. If you think that your child might be ready to join us, please contact hola@theschoolofwonder.com to discuss more details!

For all programs, our child to leader ratio is at most 5:1. We spend time together in a large group and often break up into small groups for part of the day to give kids and adults the opportunity to connect outside of the larger group setting and receive more individualized attention.

8:30am | Staff arrives

9:00am | Campers arrive: Parents check-in with camp leaders, while kids play a connection game

9:15am | Snack & Community Meeting: introductions and discussion of group agreements

9:40am | Movement Game & Warm-up

10:00am | Adventure Begins: children receive a mission from Gaia and set off on their adventure. This often includes a walk to a special area in the park, a team-building activity, and activities that inspire their creativity.

12:00pm | Lunch & Free Time

1:00pm | Adventure Continues: children receive additional missions from Gaia before returning back to to our base camp.

2:45pm | Closing Circle: a time for reflection and appreciation about the day

3:00pm | Parents arrive for pick-up

4:00pm | Extended Day Ends (available for $20 a day)

We follow the guidelines issued by Gov. Hochul as of Dec 10, 2021 and the Interim Public Health Recommendations from the CDC updated on March 2, 2023. We will continue updating our COVID-19 policy as new recommendations from the CDC arise.

Currently (March 2023), we do not require children or leaders to use masks, either indoors or outdoors. If you have concerns about COVID or suggestions about ventilation or other measures, please let us know! We are always glad to adapt to the needs of our families.

To make sure your child is adventure-ready for our day camps, please make sure they: 

• Pack a lunch, a water bottle, and two healthy snacks

• Wear comfortable shoes and a backpack for walking

• Wear weather-appropriate clothes that can get dirty

• Bring a notebook

For our after-school program, ensure they have layers to stay warm outside for a couple hours and a water bottle. We’ll handle the rest!

During our camps, we do not provide children with any food. Please make sure to send them with a lunch, two healthy nut-free snacks, and a full water bottle to keep them fueled and hydrated on adventures.

For our after-school program, we provide a healthy snack upon arrival. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions your kids have so that we can plan accordingly.

All camps meet in or near Prospect Park in Brooklyn. There are three meeting points, so please make sure to check where we are meeting on the day of your camp:

• Litchfield Villa: near the Prospect Park West & 5th Street entrance, we often meet in the grassy area out front

• Grand Army Plaza: at the park entrance in between the central columns.

• Brooklyn Botanic Gardens: near the 455 Flatbush Avenue entrance

Please note that in extraordinary cases of force majeure or severe inclement weather, we may change the location where we meet. Read our Inclement Weather Plan and the Changes and Cancellation Policy for the most updated details on this topic.

Parents can expect to receive an email from School of Wonder leaders with pertinent information about the day and week-long camps at least two days before the start date. All daily parent/leader communication is through WhatsApp. Please download the app if you don’t have it and expect to be added to the camp’s daily group chat for inclement weather updates, last minute changes, photos from camp, and a daily wrap-up. Parents can also keep up to date on future School of Wonder events by subscribing to our newsletter or following our Instagram.

After signing up for camp, you will automatically be added to the School of Wonder newsletter. By signing our release form at registration, you give us permission to post pictures of your child on social media. We never use names, but if you prefer that we do not use your child's picture, please notify us in writing via email.

During our adventures, we often use the bathrooms available in Prospect Park. Sometimes, we do “nature pees”.

Yes! Just email us at hola@theschoolofwonder.com as soon as you can, and we will find a similar camp to accommodate your child.

Please note that for last minute modifications you might need to pay a change fee. This fee allows The School of Wonder to cover the incurred costs in camp preparation and facilitation fees of our camp leaders and educators.

Please read our Changes and Cancellation Policy for the most up-to-date details.

All registration sales are final. There are no refunds or credits issued for cancellations made on the part of families for any reason other than very exceptional cases. Please read our cancellation and refund policy for the updated details.

We are an all-weather program and plan to explore in most conditions, but we will be following precautions when official weather advisories are put in place.

In case of severe inclement weather or force majeure, The School of Wonder reserves the right to cancel the program. Please read our Inclement Weather Plan to know what to expect, and the Changes and Cancellation policy to know your options.

We do! If you’d like to purchase a gift card for someone please follow the instructions on this link.

We offer a 5% discount for two siblings and 10% for three siblings.

We also usually offer early bird specials and other discounts for specific events and programs, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you can take advantage of these special offers!

We do! School of Wonder loves to plan adventures in Prospect Park to make your child’s birthday a memorable one! Please email hola@theschoolofwonder.com for more information.

There are many factors that go into establishing an after school pick-up. Usually, we need a minimum of 4-5 students from one school to schedule an official pick-up. If you are aware of a group of children from your school that would like to attend our program, please contact hola@theschoolofwonder.com to discuss more details! School release times and walking distance to our meeting point near Litchfield Villa are also crucial elements.

If school pick-up doesn’t seem plausible, you are more than welcome to drop your child off at our meeting spot in the park. We also host day and week long camps during school holidays and would love to have your child join us for one of our adventures! Please sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media to stay in the loop.