Wonder

Story

Wonder is the teaching and exploration vessel of the Planet School (planetschool.org), an experiential learning organization that is reimagining high school into an expedition of discovery, purpose, and impact. Wonder serves as the Oceans & Lakes campus of the Planet School where she will host multi-week voyages as part of the Planet School curriculum. Wonder also offers paid adult programs such as sunset sails, multi-day voyages, and private charters that help fund the Planet School’s tuition-free business model. After acquiring Wonder in June 2024, the Planet School sailed her from Key Largo to Detroit and then from Detroit to Key West to complete the Great Loop and explore voyaging routes for future programming.

Wonder was built in Norfolk, VA and is one of the rover schooners designed by Merrit Walter. Originally named “Virginia Rover,” she has been known as “Heritage of Miami” and “Bloody Pirate” prior to being rechristened as “Wonder.” She has been introducing youth to the ocean for most of her life while sailing as part of the Boy Scout’s Seabase program since the early 1990’s.