2026-27 Extended Day

Wonder Workshop Extended Day Program

Wonder Workshop (a program provided by Childhood Wonder, LLC) is the extended day program, offering families flexible care from 8:00–9:00 AM and 1:00–3:00 PM before and after Nature Connect's regular school day. Morning Wonder Workshop is a gentle, unstructured invitation to explore, where children arrive and head straight into the woods for creative, imaginative play in nature, easing into the day at their own pace. In the afternoon, students transition to a restful, quiet time, relaxing on cots in the barn while listening to soothing stories or instrumental music, giving their bodies and minds space to recharge. Families are asked to send a nap mat and an extra snack for this cozy wind-down time.

Once rest time ends, Wonder Workshop comes alive with a dedicated teacher who brings a rotating lineup of enriching activities to complement what students experienced during the school day. Each afternoon spotlights a different area of learning, including music, art, Spanish, science experiments, STEM, gardening, storytelling, and theater, so children always have something new and exciting to look forward to. This intentional mix of rest, creative exploration, and stimulating hands-on learning makes Wonder Workshop an engaging and joyful extension of the Nature Connect experience.

Enrollment Options For Early Childhood:

2 days per week (Tuesday/Thursday)
3 days per week (Monday/Wednesday/Friday)
5 days per week (Monday-Friday)

2026-2027 School Year

Dates: August 20, 2026 - May 13, 2027

(Calendar similar to Baldwin County Public Schools)

Times: 8:00am - 9:00am and 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

Location: Church of the Apostles, 7159 McIntyre St, Fairhope

Find tuition information here.

What are we learning?

Wonder Workshop afternoons bring a rotating cast of enriching subjects to life, giving students something fresh and exciting to look forward to each day. A dedicated teacher leads each session with energy and purpose, offering a different area of focus every afternoon.

Curriculum includes:

Music
Art
Spanish
Science Experiments
STEAM
Gardening
Storytelling and Theater

Wonder Workshop Team

Wonder Workshop Director

Susan Desmond

Susan was born on the Texas coast and raised across the southeast, living in the mountains of North and Central Alabama for most of her youth and adult life. She attended the University of Montevallo outside of Birmingham and received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and English. After the birth of her two boys and a career change, she earned a Montessori Teaching Credential, spending 13 years as a Montessori guide in Alabama’s first private, LEED rated PreK-8 Green School in North Shelby County. As a child, family camping trips were the way to explore the world, and after having children of her own, hiking the areas around Birmingham with her husband and two boys became a great way to get back to nature. Moving to Fairhope has opened up a whole world of new exploration into the biodiversity that is on the Gulf Coast, and she is excited to explore and learn about her new home. She strongly believes in environmental stewardship and is committed to helping the next generation learn how to care for our planet. She firmly believes in Dr. Maria Montessori's words-“A child needs to live naturally and not simply have a knowledge of nature.”

Lead Teacher

Rebecca Garcia

Rebecca grew up in North Georgia, where she enjoyed spending time in the Blue Ridge Mountains and playing in the creeks and woods. As a mom herself, she has found giving children the opportunity to explore the natural world around them very important. She began volunteering with Nature Connect in 2024 through the summer camps and homeschool enrichment programs and is excited to step into her new role with Wonder Workshop. When she's not at school, Rebecca loves baking, knitting, and being in nature with her son.

Assistant Teacher

Samantha Frey

Samantha grew up in south Florida, where she spent every moment she could exploring the swamps, forests, and beaches near her home. When she was eleven years old, her family bought a house on Lake Logan Martin in Pell City, Alabama. Samantha enjoyed spending all her time on the water - boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking. She helped homeschool her younger siblings, which led her to become a preschool teacher. Samantha loves to garden and raise chickens.

Assistant Teacher

Emily Chinal

Emily grew up in the Pacific Northwest where her fondest memories are of spending time outside exploring nature and gardening with her mother. Her family moved to Louisiana where she graduated from Saint Scholastica Academy. Her time spent golfing with her father as a child and into high school, sparked her interest in a career where she could spend most of her time outside. She later moved to Fairhope and obtained her degree in Sports Marketing & Event Management from South Alabama. As a mother, she now enjoys spending her free time with her husband and children at their property in Loxley where they garden, have honeybees, and create memories together.

Enjoying the beauty of nature and teaching are her passion.

Enrichment Teachers

Ceil Striplin

Bio to come...

Enrichment Teachers

Marsha Chinal

Bio to come...

Lead Teachers

Laura Martins

Bio to come...