Help Lead the Next Chapter at Schoolhouse of Wonder
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on on people like you to lead our Board of Directors.
our Board of Directors
Schoolhouse of Wonder (SHOW) has been empowering youth since 1989 to become kind, curious, and confident through nature-based outdoor adventures. Operating in Durham, Wake, and Orange Counties, we have impacted over 72,000 children via day camps, field trips, and teen leadership programs.
Our overarching goal is clear: ensure every child in our service area can benefit from the transformative joy and growth that SHOW provides. Achieving this vision demands courage and intentional investment—building both adventurous programming and the infrastructure to support it.
The SHOW board is increasingly strategic, generative, and focused on governance and growth. We’re seeking leaders ready to shape long-term impact, help guide our maturation and steward the Schoolhouse mission through this next phase of our journey.
Explore this webpage to better understand what it means to serve on a board that’s helping shape the future of inclusive, nature-based learning in the Triangle. If you’re ready to grow alongside a dynamic organization and are inspired by joyful, muddy kids discovering their best selves in nature, we’d love to connect.
Process Overview
To get started, send an email to board@schoolhouseofwonder.org. Include a brief summary of your background with a resume or a link to your LinkedIn profile — and feel free to share your own Schoolhouse story or what draws you to our mission.
Our recruitment process is structured enough to ensure a good fit, but informal enough to let relationships lead. We want to learn what inspires you.
Important dates:
- July 31, 2025: Deadline to express interest
- Now – mid-August: Opportunities for 1:1 and group meetings to learn about board member and committee volunteer opportunities; these are all currently planned to be virtual meetings
- Mid-September: Option to join a half-day board planning retreat (in person)
- October timing TBD: In-person orientation
- January 1, 2026: Official board term start date (earlier starts possible)
General Expectations for Schoolhouse of Wonder Board Members
Serving on the Schoolhouse board is a meaningful leadership role—one that combines strategy, stewardship, and support for joyful outdoor education. The roles and responsibilities as a Board Member fall into three major categories:
- SHAPE MISSION & STRATEGIC VISION
- ENSURE LEADERSHIP & RESOURCES
- MONITOR & IMPROVE PERFORMANCE
What does that mean more specifically? Some specific expectations of Schoolhouse Board Members include:
- Board members typically contribute 5–10 hours per month, including board and committee meetings, preparation, and project involvement. All board members also join one of our Schoolhouse Committees (see below for an overview.)
- Members are also expected to make a personal financial contribution at a personally meaningful level and participate in fundraising activities.
Schoolhouse Committees
Not ready to join the board? Committee service is another great way to support our mission and learn more about board work. Schoolhouse has three standing committees available for board members and non-board member volunteers.
Internal Affairs Committee
The Internal Affairs Committee focuses on all internal and operational issues coming before the board. These include issues related to finance, investments, capital acquisitions, human resources, and facilities.
External Affairs Committee
The External Affairs Committee focuses on all external issues, including fundraising, public relations, publications (such as the annual report), and marketing.
The Governance Committee is responsible for the health and functioning of the board. It recruits and nominates new members, evaluates the performance of the board itself, orients, trains and educates board members, and produces board materials, such as board books.
Let’s grow together.
Reach out to board@schoolhouseofwonder.org by July 31 to begin the conversation.