Intentional

Wonderwend Hollow was created for families seeking more - more wonder, more community, and more room to grow. If you've been looking for a homeschool community rooted in play, exploration, and real connection, you just might have found your place. Wonderwend Hollow is for families who:

• Have young explorers ages 3-8 (siblings of all ages are always welcome to join the adventure)
• Are seeking a secular, inclusive community that honors every identity and lived experience
• Value child-led learning, nature-based exploration, and a rhythm that blends freedom with gentle structure
• Want something more meaningful than a simple park playdate - but less rigid than a traditional co-op
• Are looking to connect with like-minded families who value kindness, consistency, and shared growth.
• Appreciate support from a former Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher turned homeschooling guide and mentor
• Are beginning their homeschool journey or seeking to deepen it with more confidence, creativity, and community
• Believe in empowering children - and parents - to learn, grow, and thrive together through curiosity and connection

If that sounds like you, we'd love to welcome you to Wonderwend Hollow - where curiosity leads the way.

Wonderwend Hollow was created to build meaningful community for families who are ready to jump in - especially those with younger children eager to explore the world around them.

While some families begin their journey with ECFE or similar programs, Wonderwend Hollow offers an alternative path that embraces early exploration, joyful community, and curiosity from the start.

Wonderwend Hollow fills the gap:

• A place where younger children are welcomed with open arms, not sidelined
• A cohort where siblings are always part of the adventure
• A rhythm that offers more than just park playdates - with field trips and hands-on experiences that spark new passions and playful discoveries
• An approach that honors autonomy, respects each child's natural pace, and resists one-size-fits-all academic timelines
• A setting where parents and children learn, wonder, and grow side by side - without forced separation or arbitrary milestones

Facilitated and curated by a former Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher turned homeschooler, Wonderwend Hollow offers real support, shared wisdom, and a warm, welcoming space to grow - rooted in nature, curiosity, and connection.

We intentionally do not have a fixed location. Because one of our primary focuses is field trips, we invite you to be adventurous and explore new places with us!

Some location examples - Hastings, Northfield, Stillwater, Bloomington, Lakeville, Eagan, Hopkins, Minnetrista, St. Paul, West St Paul, and more!

We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-2pm. Occasionally times will be adjusted for field trips.

Our goal to make this cohort as affordable and accessible as possible. Each quarter the pricing fluctuates, check for the exact amount on our enrollment forms.

Tuition covers:

• curriculum and supplies
• most field trips
• family events
• admin expenses such as insurance, website, and space rentals to ensure we have access to bathrooms and shelter.

Important:

• Tuition and field trips must be paid in full prior to participation.
• Tuition and field trip fees are nonrefundable, as many field trips require upfront commitments and supplies are purchased in advance.

Our learning activities and field trips are primarily based on social studies and science, inspired by (but not limited to) the Minnesota Academic Standards.

Our science experiences are secular, evidence-based, and inquiry-driven. We believe that understanding the natural world requires looking through the lens of observable facts and the scientific method. We purposefully center scientific perspectives to provide a clear, honest, multi-faceted understanding of the universe, helping our children become critical thinkers and scientifically literate citizens of the world. Some topics we will explore:

• Senses
• Seasonal Changes (Phenology)
• Weather
• Plant and Animals Characteristics and Classification
• Plant and Animal Lifecycles
• Habitats
• Engineering and Technology

Examples of science-related field trips could include nature centers, zoos, orchards, museums, etc.

Our social studies experiences are secular, inclusive, and decolonized. We believe that understanding our past and present requires looking through many windows. We purposefully include diverse perspectives to provide a rich, honest, and multi-faceted view of history and community, helping our children become curious and thoughtful global citizens. Some topics we will explore:

• Civics and democratic principles
• MN Symbols
• Family Traditions
• Economics: Goods and Services, Needs and Wants, Scarcity, Bartering/Trading
• Native American Heritage
• Geography - Maps
• Past, Present, and Future

Examples of social studies fields trips could include the MN Children's Museum, The Landing, Dakota City Heritage Village, MN State Capitol, MN History Center, Gibbs Farm, behind-the-scenes visits to local businesses, cultural centers and events.

At Wonderwend Hollow, we prioritize child-led play. This is a time where children take the lead in choosing activities, setting the pace, and directing their own experiences. Parents and adults step back, observing without guiding or interfering, allowing children the freedom to explore, imagine, and create on their own terms.

This approach supports essential skills such as problem-solving, cooperation, communication, and building friendships. By following their own curiosity and interests, children develop confidence, independence, and a deeper sense of ownership over their learning and social interactions. Child-led play is not only fun - it's a powerful way for children to grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively.

Giving children this autonomy doesn't just benefit the kids - it also creates space for parents and caregivers. With adults stepping back from directing play, parents have the opportunity to connect with one another, share experiences, and build community with the group. This dual focus - supporting both children's growth and adult connection - helps foster a vibrant, collaborative, and supportive environment for the whole family.

Yes! We take a neurodivergent-affirming approach - meaning we honor differences in communication, learning, and behavior. We don't use or support ABA or compliance-based practices, which many autistic adults have spoken out against as harmful. Instead we focus on relationship, autonomy, self-advocacy, and sensory-aware practices. Everything offered at Wonderwend Hollow is an invitation, participate in the way that feels right for you and your family. Please note that we are not a therapeutic program and do not provide clinical, behavioral, or therapeutic services.

Being an LLC allows us to secure necessary group liability insurance and legally protect our personal family assets. It also gives us the creative freedom to quickly make decisions and protect the unique secular program we built for our children without navigating the heavy corporate bureaucracy required of a traditional non-profit.

Although we are legally a business entity, we operate strictly on a not-for-profit, cost sharing model. No one draws a salary, and no one pockets a profit. Every dollar contributed by families goes directly into a shared bucket to cover real-world expenses such as rental fees, insurance, field trips, supplies, etc. If we ever have a surplus at the end of a season, 100% of those funds are immediately reinvested back into the program to provide scholarships, host special events, and reduce the cost for future seasons.

We also have a volunteer Parent Advisory Council to assist in decision making for the program.

Yes, fill out our registration form. Once your form is completed we will reach out via email with more details!