adventurers
GRADES 3-5
Bringing Wonder to the World
Who are the adventurers?
In the Adventurers program, kids in grades 3–5 explore the wonders of the world from a more realistic perspective, through missions and games that help them make sense of society, relationships, and our impact on the planet.
Designed for children ready for greater challenge and collaboration, this program invites them to practice collective leadership and building long lasting friendships. They learn from local artists, build real outdoor skills, design games and tools, and take time to reflect and journal, growing in confidence, commitment and creativity.
LOCAL ARTISTS LEAD THE WAY
As older kids begin to consciously shape their identity, they are introduced to amazing local artists. From percussionists and painters to puppeteers and poets, these artists inspire bold creative expression and sometimes act as immersive leaders who guide our way throughout the day.
collective decision-making
Adventurers choose their mission, chart their route through the park, and decide as a group how the journey unfolds. With many possibilities for collective decision-making, they learn to listen and to communicate and practice skills of compromise, negotiation, and collaborative leadership.
applied SKILLS IN THE WILD
From fire-building to cracking Fibonacci’s code to writing petitions, Adventurers apply ELA, math, and science to take on real life challenges with a wonder perspective — exploring solutions with curiosity and playfulness. Children engage in the real world by making small acts of service in the community or by learning design-thinking as they build and test new games and tools collectively.
TIME TO REFLECT
Adventurers slow down to notice what they’ve learned and felt—sometimes by journaling, sometimes by sharing stories in circle. This helps build emotional awareness and thoughtful self-expression.
DEEPENING BONDS
As they play big games, complete acts of service, and take on exciting challenges, Adventurers form strong, lasting bonds with each other and with their communities. They learn how to listen, stand up for their ideas, and care for others without losing themselves.
What ADVENTURERs learn
The Wonder Compass is our learning framework, consisting of 4 areas of personal growth that guide our learning goals at each developmental stage. Here’s what those goals look like for Adventurers (late childhood):
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By the end of this stage, Adventurers:
Use different art forms to express their emotions and ideas (theatre, improvisational singing and hip hop)
Express themselves freely without filtering themselves first
Create theatrical stories and develop characters
Design and test tools and rules for their own games
Make fire
Learn survival skills
Find solutions to real world problems
Develop orientation skills: how to use a map and a compass, or do structured hikes
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By the end of this stage, Adventurers:
Take accountability for their actions
Actively work toward repair when needed
Solve conflicts on their own (and knowing the steps to solve conflicts)
Put themselves in the other person's shoes and develop empathy
Understand how their emotions influence their behaviors
Share what they have
Check in with friends independently
Look out for younger kids
Know how to stop bullying
Make long lasting friendships
Invite others to join their group
Interact with strangers autonomously and respectfully
Participate in the larger community with small social actions and interventions
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By the end of the this stage, Adventurers:
Respect physical and relational boundaries
Intrinsically understand the relationship between freedom and boundaries
Gain trust with the leaders by showing responsibility
Advocate for expanding their freedom
Take breaks to regulate their own emotions
Take accountability for their actions
Resist social pressure
Act authentically
Voice their opinion
Act autonomously to meet physical needs
Create and lead games, stories and activities
Keep going even when things get hard
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By the end of the this stage, Adventurers:
Understand natural and human cycles
Avoid creating waste
Acknowledge the reality of climate change
Embody an ecological mindset
Imagine alternative systems
Identify cause and effect in social realities
Seek knowledge about other cultures and languages
Seek knowledge about history
Welcome cultural differences
Take social action
Do acts of service
Actively seek opportunities to engage in society
Advocate for democracy and sustainable planet for all
CUrrent PRograms for adventurers
Explore the summer camps, day camps and afterschool programs specific for Adventurers.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email us at hola@theschoolofwonder.com