Biddeford and Saco schools will receive $135,000 for outdoor education

On By Vaseline


Community and staff reports•

The Southern Maine Outdoor Leadership Program, which includes five schools within the Biddeford and Saco school districts, received a full grant approval of $135,045 from the Maine Department of Education’s Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative.

This national initiative focuses on providing access to the outdoors for grades 6 to 12, and eligibility for schools and local education providers has increased this year.

The funding was allocated to three different projects: Saco Middle School’s three-day, two-night immersive outdoor learning experience at the Ecology School, at no cost to families; Alternative Pathways Center’s outdoor leadership academy, bike shop curriculum and outdoor field trips; and a summer program for New Mainers and at-risk youth in grades 7 through 12, including access to outdoor activities in Maine. These grant-funded programs provide students with invaluable experiences combining academics, environmental education, leadership and life skills in Maine’s natural areas.

The summer outdoor wilderness program, designed for high school students, will be run as two separate programs. These experiential learning programs will combine academics, environmental education, leadership, and life skills, exposing students to wilderness trips, hikes, kayaking, etc. These experiences are designed to emphasize outdoor safety, cultivate an inclusive learning environment, and remove barriers to offer new outdoor activities. experiences in Maine’s natural areas. Students in the 10th through 12th grade program can also earn ELA credit through real-world experiences and outdoor explorations.

Certified outdoor educators will lead the summer wilderness programs, and registrations will take place in the coming weeks. Students have free access to all outdoor equipment needed for the listed activities, and transportation is provided.

For more information about the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative, visit https://www.maine.gov/doe/innovation/MaineOutdoorLearning.