More Room to Explore at Wheaton Montessori School
Rendering of the restored wetland, with students exploring under the trees and the expanded playground beyond
The restored wetland and expanded playground. Rendering by Living Habitats.

Put your name on the wetland

More Room to Explore expands our playground and opens the wetland next to campus to every student. These are the places in it that can carry your family's name, a teacher's, or someone you want to honor.

To claim one, talk with a member of the campaign committee or write to campaign@moreroomtoexplore.org. Pledges can be paid over time.

$50,000

Gateway to the Wetlands

Two new gates in the playground fence lead into the wetland, one toward each exploration zone, so children can walk a loop through it. Each gate can carry a name, recognizing the family who made the way in possible. How the gateways and their recognition will look is still being designed with the landscape architects.

A gift of $100,000 names both gateways.

Recognized for 15 years

2 of 2 available

Nature's Classroom

One of the two tree-drum outdoor classrooms where classes gather in the wetland. "Nature's Classroom" is a working name; Rebecca and the staff will choose the final name.

Recognized for 15 years

Available

Community Circle

The second tree-drum outdoor classroom, set up as a gathering circle. "Community Circle" is a working name; Rebecca and the staff will choose the final name.

Recognized for 15 years

Available

$25,000

Illustration: Named Boulder

Named Boulder

Large natural boulders placed in the expanded play area for climbing and exploring. Each carries a bronze plaque set flush into a pocket cut into the stone, so it holds up under heavy play.

Recognized for 10 years

2 of 2 available

Sandbox Relocation

The existing sandboxes move to new spots in the expanded playground and are refurbished for the next generation of builders.

Recognized for 10 years

Available

New Play Element

A new natural play element for the expanded playground. The specific element is still being chosen.

Recognized for 10 years

Available

$10,000

Illustration: Heritage Tree

Heritage Tree

Of the 231 trees surveyed on the site, about 51 mature trees stay. Fifteen of them, visible from the classrooms and paths, are offered for dedication. Each gets a plaque mounted so the tree can keep growing without swallowing it. The specific trees will be chosen after the tree clearing this winter.

Recognized for 10 years

15 of 15 available

$5,000

Illustration: New Tree or Understory Shrub

New Tree or Understory Shrub

The restoration plants new native trees and understory shrubs across the wetland. Each dedicated planting gets a marker on its protection cage, moved to a stake once the plant is established.

Recognized for 10 years

25 of 25 available

$1,000

Illustration: Window on the Wetlands tile, 4 inch

Window on the Wetlands tile, 4 inch

The bank of three windows in the gym looks straight out on the wetland. Two rows of 4-inch name tiles run across the top, beneath a "Window on the Wetlands" title plaque.

Recognized for 10 years

50 of 50 available

$500

Illustration: Window on the Wetlands tile, 2 inch

Window on the Wetlands tile, 2 inch

Columns of 2-inch name tiles run down both sides of the Window on the Wetlands.

Recognized for 10 years

50 of 50 available

Every gift counts

Gifts of any size help open the wetland to our students, with or without a name attached. Any member of the campaign committee can help you give.

Illustrations show the idea, not final designs, and use sample names. Recognition lasts for the term listed. Availability updated October 18, 2026.