Summer Camp 2023
Please read our program description and policies under the parent handbook tab for more detailed information. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
SUMMER OUTSIDE!
Ready Set Go Outside will offer children an opportunity to create their own learning environment outside of the classroom. Children will explore areas in their community through hiking, writing, reading, art, ponding, tide pooling, building with tools, whittling, orienteering, listening, singing, observing, digging, creating and socializing. The tools used to enhance learning activities will be found in the forest or reused and recycled from the community. Teachers will facilitate child led learning experiences where children are free to be who they are. No lining up. No testing. No electronics. No ads… just exploring our natural world while teachers observe, advise on safety, and offer knowledge of natural habitats.
The main goals will be to guide children in:
- creating a strong sense of self
- developing independent learning skills
- cultivating enthusiasm and curiosity through sensory experiences
- building skills to handle challenging situations
- becoming socially confident in an unstructured setting
- exploring ways to become helpful members of community
- emotional regulation and happiness
Mixed age groups facilitate more social learning. Children learn kindness, cooperation and responsibility when grouped with younger and older children. They increase their capacity for empathy and consideration when navigating relationships with children of various ages. They are motivated by the skills they see being used by children who have mastered them which in turn motivates them to become teachers or helpers to children who have not mastered the skills that they currently have. Teachers will observe children trying new roles and coping skills as the younger, middle or older child in a group setting.
Meet the Founder
I am passionate about the environment and spending time in natural settings for myself and others. My natural science background includes studies in ornithology, marine biology, plant identification, wetland ecology, mycology, edible plants, gardening, composting, herpetology, environmental science and entomology. My early childhood background consists of 24 years of experience working with children and various psychology and curriculum courses from college to childcare training. I have also attended various outdoor recreation courses in and outside of college including the Maine Guide Course and canoeing instructor certification. I am currently CPR/First Aid certified. (Marisa- owner/director/teacher)
Dates and destinations for 2023
All trips are subject to change with notice due to scheduling problems and weather.
Week 1
June 20 (Tuesday)-Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
June 21 (Wednesday)-Bradbury-Pineland Corridor and Elmwood Trails, Pownal
(500 Lawrence Road, Pownal, ME)
- Possible activities: Hiking, rock hounding, rock climbing, geocaching, fairy house or den building, journaling or drawing in hammocks, forest games, stream exploration.
- Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, good hiking or running shoes, water bottle.
June 22 (Thursday)- Bradbury Mountain, Pownal
- Possible activities: Hiking, rock collecting, rock climbing, playground, geocaching, fairy house or den building, journaling or drawing in hammocks.
- Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, good hiking or running shoes, water bottle.
June 23 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
Week 2
June 26 (Monday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
June 27 (Tuesday)- Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick (LT 12:30 PM)
- Possible activities: Horseshoe crab study, sand play, playground, mud mucking, bird watching, big field games.
- Wear quick dry clothing or bathing suit, easy shoes to take on and off, water bottle.
June 28 (Wednesday)- Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth (LT 1:18 PM)
- Possible activities: Hiking, tide pool exploration, rock climbing, mud mucking, big field games, bird watching, beach treasure hunt.
- Wear quick dry clothes or bathing suits and good walking shoes that are easy to take on and off, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, water bottle.
June 29 (Thursday)- Wolfe’s Neck State Park, Freeport (LT 2:10 PM)
- Possible activities: Hiking, tide pool exploration, rock climbing, mud mucking, big field games, bird watching, herp hunting, fairy house/den building.
- Wear quick dry clothes or bathing suits and good hiking/running shoes, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, water bottle.
June 30 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch.
Week 3
July 3 (Monday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
July 5 (Wednesday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
July 6 (Thursday)- Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay
- Possible activities: We will spend the morning exploring the gardens, tree houses, ponds, streams, and children’s area. After lunch we will head to the Maine Aquarium for hands on study of live ocean creatures like crabs, sea cucumbers, skates, sharks, lobsters and more.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, a hat for sun protection, water bottle.
July 7 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
Week 4
July 10 (Monday)- Winslow Park, Freeport (LT 11:48 AM)
- Possible activities: Tide pooling, sand play, playground, mud mucking, bird watching, big field games, nature hike, rock climbing, mini beast hunting.
- Wear quick dry clothing or bathing suit, easy shoes to take on and off or water shoes, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, water bottle.
July 11 (Tuesday)- Cousin’s Island Sandy Beach, Yarmouth (LT 12:45 PM)
- Possible activities: Tide pooling, sand play, sea glass collecting, bird watching, beach hike, rock climbing, wading, games.
- Wear a bathing suit, easy shoes to take on and off or water shoes, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, life jacket, water bottle.
July 12 (Wednesday)- Ferry Beach State Park, Saco (LT 1:44 PM)
- Possible activities: Indoor nature center, sand play, ponding, bird watching, beach hike, wading, blueberry picking, board walk trail hike.
- Wear a bathing suit, easy shoes to take on and off or water shoes, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, life jacket, water bottle.
July 13 (Thursday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
July 14 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
Week 5
July 17 (Monday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
July 18 (Tuesday)- Maine Wildlife Park, Gray
- We’ll take the day to explore all the animals in the park.
- Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, good hiking or running shoes, water bottle.
July 19 (Wednesday)-Florida Lake, Freeport meet at 82 Wardtown Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, stream and pond study with nets, whittling, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting, swimming.
- Wear quick dry clothing or a bathing suit, good hiking/running shoes or comfortable water shoes, water bottle.
July 20 (Thursday)- Mr. Drew and His Animals Too and Mount Apatite, Auburn
- visit with live Lizards, snakes, insects, spiders, turtles, etc., then hiking, exploration with nets, stream study, bird watching, herp hunting, fairy house/den building
- Wear quick dry clothes or bathing suits and good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
July 21 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
Week 6
July 24 (Monday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
July 25 (Tuesday)- Frost Gully Trails, Freeport meet behind Burr Cemetery 56 Durham Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: Hiking, stream exploration, log climbing, mud mucking, bird watching and owl pellet dissection, herp hunting, fairy house/den building.
- Wear quick dry clothes or bathing suits and good hiking/running shoes or comfortable water shoes, water bottle.
July 26 (Wednesday)- Toot’s Ice Cream, Yarmouth
- We’ll head to Toot’s for a cold ice cream treat and explore the animals that live there. If we have time/interest, we’ll stop at the Yarmouth town playground.
- Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, good hiking or running shoes, water bottle.
July 27 (Thursday)- Peak’s Island (LT 12:22 PM) trip is for age 5 and older
- Possible activities: Ferry boat ride, hiking, tide pool and beach exploration, bird watching, rock collecting, rock climbing, icy treat at the island store.
- Wear quick dry clothes or bathing suits and good walking shoes or water shoes, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, water bottle.
July 28 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
Week 7
July 31 (Monday)- Leon Gorman Park, Freeport
- Stream exploration, rock climbing, herp hunting, hiking, beaver dam investigation, fairy house or den building, bird watching, forest games.
- Wear quick dry clothes or bathing suits and good hiking shoes or water shoes that are comfortable (the children like to take their shoes off and put their feet in the river), water bottle.
August 1 (Tuesday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
August 2 (Wednesday)-Range Pond State Park, Poland
- Possible activities: Hiking, playground, swimming, ponding, bird watching, edible wild plants, fairy house/den building, mini beast hunting.
- Wear bathing suits and good hiking/running shoes or comfortable water shoes, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, towel, coast guard approved life jacket, water bottle.
August 3 (Thursday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
August 4 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
Week 8
August 7 (Monday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
August 8 (Tuesday)- Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth (HT 11:20 AM)
- Hiking, tide pool exploration, playground, rock climbing, big field games, bird watching, herp hunting, fairy house/den building, ponding.
- Wear quick dry clothes and good hiking/running shoes (good for rock climbing), bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, snacks, water bottle and lunch.
August 9 (Wednesday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle
August 10 (Thursday)- Mackworth Island, Falmouth (LT 1:19 PM)
- Possible activities: hiking, bird watching, fairy house building, games, pond study, journaling, animal tracking, nature crafting, turkey hunting, insect collecting, tide pooling, sand play, fairy house building, rock climbing
- Wear quick dry clothing or bathing suit, easy shoes to take on and off or water shoes, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, water bottle
August 11 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle
Week 9
August 14 (Monday)- Mast Landing Sanctuary, Freeport
- Explore old mill and dam, waterfall experiments, rock climbing, freshwater and saltwater comparisons, hiking, picnicking, games, mini beast hunting
- Wear quick dry clothes or bathing suits, good walking shoes that can get wet, water bottle
August 15 (Tuesday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle
August 16 (Wednesday)- Hedgehog Mountain, Freeport
- Playground, herp hunt, log climbing, bird watching, forest hike, fairy house/den building, blueberry picking, rock climbing.
- Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
August 17 (Thursday)- Frost Gully Trails, Freeport meet behind Burr Cemetery 56 Durham Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: Hiking, stream exploration, log climbing, mud mucking, bird watching and owl pellet dissection, herp hunting, fairy house/den building, swimming/wading.
- Wear quick dry clothes or bathing suits and good hiking/running shoes or comfortable water shoes, water bottle.
August 18 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
Week 10
August 21 (Monday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
August 22 (Tuesday)-Leon Gorman Park, Freeport
- Possible activities: Stream exploration, rock climbing, herp hunting, hiking, beaver dam investigation, fairy house or den building, bird watching, forest games.
- Wear quick dry clothes or bathing suits and good hiking shoes or water shoes that are comfortable (the children like to take their shoes off and put their feet in the river), water bottle.
August 23 (Wednesday)- Androscoggin Bike Trail trip, Brunswick ages 5 and over only/younger group will stay at 79 Beech Hill Road
- Possible activities: biking, bird watching, games, river exploration, nature crafting, swimming.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good biking/running shoes, water bottle.
August 24 (Thursday)- Reid State Park, Georgetown (LT 11:50 AM)
- Possible activities: Tide pooling, sand play, rock collecting, bird watching, beach hike, stream play, rock climbing, swimming.
- Wear a bathing suit, easy shoes to take on and off or water shoes, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, life jacket, water bottle.
August 25 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport
- Possible activities: hiking, kayaking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, map and compass, whittling, wilderness tool use, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, nature crafting, gardening, STEM challenge, edible plants, rotting log dissections, insect collecting.
- Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, water bottle.
Please read our program description and policies here for more information. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
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