Katja Gruenheidt

Founder & Program Director

Hi, I’m Katja — a lifelong lover of trees, tiny wonders, and the wild, joyful spirit of childhood.

I grew up in Germany, where my days were filled with forest play, muddy boots, and the kind of quiet magic that comes from being outdoors. Those early moments — climbing trees, following fox trails, feeling moss under my hands — shaped me in ways I’m still grateful for. Nature has been my compass ever since.

For the past 20+ years in the U.S., I’ve devoted my work to early childhood education and to supporting families in raising curious, confident, deeply connected children. I’ve worked in schools, camps, and family programs — including Camp Funderblast, The Discovery School, the Waldorf School, and many others. For six beautiful years, I co-created and directed Kinderblast Preschool in Fairfax, a place full of play, creativity, connection, and community — truly a home for joyful learning.

But the heart of my work has always been outside.

I’ve led children on nature walks with Audubon Canyon Ranch, where we learned to listen to birdsong, read animal tracks, and slow down enough to notice the world speaking around us. I created the Barn Owls program in Muir Woods, where children cared for horses, wandered meadows, and explored hidden corners of the forest with wonder as their guide. Again and again, I’ve witnessed how nature brings out courage, creativity, calm, and deep belonging in children.

World in Wonder grew from all of this — a weaving of my love for early childhood, my background in Waldorf education, and my devotion to the land. My hope is simple: to offer children the gift of time in nature. Time to explore. Time to imagine. Time to move, climb, dig, build, rest, listen, and simply be.

I believe the outdoors gives children something irreplaceable — open-ended challenges, endless curiosity, and a felt sense of being part of a larger, living world. My teaching is warm, grounded, and intentional. I follow the child, trust their instincts, and create experiences that nurture resilience, kindness, creativity, and a deep love for the earth.

Whether we’re noticing raindrops gather on a leaf, wandering under redwoods, building a forest fort, or laughing in the mud, my greatest joy is witnessing children come alive outdoors.

Welcome to World in Wonder — I’m so happy you’re here.

— Katja

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World in Wonder nurtures children through nature-based exploration that builds confidence, creativity, and a deep sense of belonging. Through hands-on discovery, meaningful relationships, and gentle guidance, we help children grow into resilient, compassionate human beings rooted in wonder and connected to the living world.

Our Values

Wonder & Curiosity

We protect the magic of childhood by offering open-ended experiences that invite exploration, creativity, and joy in the natural world.

 

Connection & Community

We create a caring, collaborative environment where children practice empathy, communication, and teamwork, and where every child feels seen and valued.

 

Resilience & Self-Trust

Through nature’s challenges—weather, terrain, problem-solving, and social dynamics—children learn courage, self-regulation, and confidence in their own abilities.

Our Approach

At World in Wonder, we blend nature-based learning with child-led exploration and mindful teaching. We follow the rhythms of the outdoors, allowing children to move at their own pace, listen to their curiosity, and learn through real experiences. Teachers facilitate with presence and intention, supporting emotional growth, building community, and honoring each child’s innate wisdom. Our days are spacious, slow, creative, and rooted in deep respect for nature and childhood.

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