The Story and Purpose of Discovery Den
Discovery Den Playhouse began with a small but powerful realization in a Brooklyn classroom. After years of teaching neurodivergent children, Wanda Buncamper saw a heartbreaking pattern unfold each afternoon - kids bursting with energy and imagination heading straight home without a single place built for them to relax, connect, or just be themselves. There were no sensory-friendly spaces, no inclusive playgrounds, and no programs where they could play freely and safely. The city felt full of possibilities, but not for these children and teens.
Out of this need, Discovery Den came to life, shaped by honest experience and deep care. Every element - from lighting to programming - is designed for neurodivergent youth between the ages of 5 and 22. The intention is simple, yet bold: to give families a space where children are not asked to adapt to their surroundings, but where the space meets them exactly where they are.
Discovery Den is not just another afterschool spot. It's a true community hub, where families who have often felt isolated find understanding peers and staff. Here, inclusion isn't a slogan - it's the foundation upon which everything rests. Families are welcomed wholly, and children can discover, create, and grow in safety and joy. Discovery Den Playhouse is Brooklyn's first - and only - sensory-informed playhouse, filling the gap so many families have felt for so long. We invite you to join us in building this new community, whether as a parent, partner, or supporter. Explore our programs and join the movement for real inclusion today.
Meet Wanda Buncamper
Wanda Buncamper
Founder, Educator
Wanda Buncamper is the caring mind and heart behind Discovery Den Playhouse, bringing years of experience as a certified special education teacher right into the center of Brooklyn's neurodivergent community. After spending countless afternoons watching her students file out of school, only to have nowhere sensory-safe or welcoming to go, Wanda knew Brooklyn's children deserved better. Her journey is shaped by direct work with families, real relationships with neurodivergent youth, and a lifelong commitment to creating spaces that uplift every child. Wanda's expertise in sensory-informed learning and programming means Discovery Den is more than a playhouse - it's a reflection of what true belonging looks and feels like. Her vision is bold but straightforward: every child deserves to be celebrated, understood, and offered a space where they can grow and belong. Through Discovery Den, Wanda invites the whole community - families, professionals, partners - to join her in changing the landscape of recreation and community connection in Brooklyn.