WORLD OF WONDER
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“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” ~Rachel Carson, naturalist and author
Mission Statement: World of Wonder (WOW) is a free nature discovery program for children with their families-an opportunity for them to explore, discover, and enjoy the wonders of the natural world together. This year-round program has 2 prongs:
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Throughout the year, WOW offers guided nature outings for children with their parents. Each outing has a guide who points out, explains and teaches, giving families resources and confidence to build on these experiences in the future.
Our guides are volunteers with a passion for nature and an expertise they want to share. We intentionally keep groups small (usually 20-25 people total) so children and parents can easily engage with the guide, ask questions, and have their questions answered.
Most nature outings take place on Saturday mornings, last about 1.5 hours, and are held at a local park, nature preserve, or greenway. By focusing on local natural areas, WOW helps children see that nature isn’t something distant or reserved for special occasions – it’s all around us, ready to be explored the moment we step outside.
WOW is a collaboration between Davidson Lands Conservancy and Woodland Discovery, an educational nonprofit.
WOW began in 2010 inspired by Rachel Carson’s words and in response to a growing-and continuing-concern: too few children are spending time outdoors experiencing nature first-hand. The reasons are familiar-electronic media, safety concerns, lack of information or experience, and overscheduled lives for both parents and kids. Many parents want to share the natural world with their children, but feel unsure about where to go, what to look for, and what it is that they find. WOW provides the framework for families to explore and discover the natural world together.
WOW continues today with many of the same dedicated volunteers, joined by others who have a passion for sharing the wonder of the world with others.
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