Location: various places within 15  to 45 minutes of the community of Freeport.  Please see the itinerary included. We will use our 15 passenger van for transportation.  Participants will meet at 86 Beech Hill Road for pick up and drop off.

Ages 2 to 12 up to 16 children per session with 2 to 3 teachers depending on attendance.  Children will be split up according to attendance and age to keep groups small and encourage social distancing.

9 AM to 4 PM  (Before and after care available from 8 to 9 AM for $7 per day and 4 to 5 PM for $7 per day)

Monday through Friday

Prices: $280 per week (Participants enrolling for all 5 days take preference.  Weeks may be split among participants.  Contact for more information.  Ask about sibling discount and multiple week discount.)

SUMMER OUTSIDE!

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, 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 exploration of the natural world where teachers observe, advise on safety and offer knowledge of natural habitats.  Children hardly need any guidance in learning as they are natural learners.

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.

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 and will be obtaining Wilderness First Aid.

Dates and destinations for 2020:

This list is updated as of June 1, 2020.  Due to the CDC recommendations we will not be transporting children in the 15 passenger van for field trips.  All activities will begin at 86 Beech Hill Road except for once a week.  We will ask parents to drop off and pick up at the following locations.  Any location that is crossed out will not take place unless CDC recommendations change.  Pick up and drop offs for Friday’s activities will still be based at 86 Beech Hill Road.  If you need to pick up or drop off at any time outside of 8 to 9 AM and 4 to 5 PM please let us know ahead of time.  If the weather is nice, we will be gone from the premises for the entire day.  You will receive a copy of emergency procedures and contact information in case you need to speak to staff or your child for any reason 

 

Week 1

June 29 (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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

June 30 (Tuesday)- Wolfe’s Neck State Park, Freeport

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 1 (Wednesday)- Mast Landing School Trails, Freeport

• Playground, hiking, bird watching, shelter/den building, playground, games, stream study, mini beast hunting
• Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 2 (Thursday)- Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 3 (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 2

July 6 (Monday)- Bradbury Mountain, Pownal

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 7 (Tuesday)- Cathance River, Topsham

• River exploration, rock climbing, herp hunting, hiking, rock collecting, geocaching, 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), snacks, water bottle and lunch

        Pettengill Farm, Freeport

• Hiking, bird watching, rock climbing, geocaching, fairy house or den building, journaling or drawing in hammocks, big field and forest games, mini beast hunting
• Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, good hiking or running shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 8 (Wednesday)- Cousin’s River Trails, Freeport

• Hiking, bird watching, rock climbing, geocaching, fairy house or den building, journaling or drawing in hammocks, forest games, salt marsh exploration
• Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, good hiking or running shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 9 (Thursday)- Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and Aquarium, Boothbay

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July  10 (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 13 (Monday)- Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth

• 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

 

July 14 (Tuesday)-Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 15 (Wednesday)-Mast Landing School Trails, Freeport

• Playground, hiking, bird watching, shelter/den building, playground, games, stream study, mini beast hunting
• Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch

      Royal River Park, Yarmouth

• River and waterfall exploration, hiking, playground, geocaching, fairy house or den building, bird watching, big field games
• Wear quick dry clothes and good hiking or running shoes, a hat for sun protection, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 16 (Thursday)- Chebeague Island

• Ferry boat ride, hiking, tidepool and beach exploration, birdwatching, Island scavenger hunt
• Wear quick dry clothes or bathing suits and good hiking/running shoes, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 17 (Friday)- Forest at 79 Beech Hill Road, Freeport

• Possible activities: hiking, birdwatching, 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 4

July 20 (Monday)- Cathance River, Topsham

• River exploration, rock climbing, herp hunting, hiking, rock collecting, geocaching, 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), snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 21 (Tuesday)- Peak’s Island

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 22 (Wednesday)- Winslow Park, Freeport

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 23 (Thursday)- Desert of Maine, Freeport and Frost Gully Trails, Freeport

• Gem hunting, sand experiments, gold panning in the stream, metal detecting, log climbing, owl pellet discovery
• Wear quick dry clothing or bathing suit, easy shoes to take on and off or water shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 24 (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 5

July 27 (Monday)- Bradbury Mountain, Pownal

• Hiking, rock collecting, rock climbing, playground, geocaching, fairy house or den building, journaling or drawing in hammocks, mini beast hunting
• Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, good hiking or running shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 28 (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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 29 (Wednesday)- Deering Oaks Park, Portland

• hiking, bird watching, playground, rock climbing, wading pool and fountains, pretend performances on outdoor stage
• Wear bathing suits and good walking shoes or water shoes, bring extra layer for windy/foggy conditions, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 30 (Thursday)- Chandler brook and Old Town House Park, North Yarmouth

• River and forest exploration, hiking, fairy house or den building, bird watching, big field games, whittling, fairy boat building, mini beast hunting
• Wear quick dry clothes and good hiking or running shoes, a hat for sun protection, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

July 31 (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 6

August 3 (Monday)- Toot’s Ice Cream, Yarmouth and Skyline Farm, North Yarmouth

• We’ll spend time exploring the trails and maybe the carriage museum with a picnic lunch. 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 4 (Tuesday)- Range Pond State Park, Poland

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 5 (Wednesday)- Mr. Drew and His Animals Too and Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary, Lewiston

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 6 (Thursday)- Frost Gully Trails, Freeport

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 7 (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 7

August 10 (Monday)- Fort Williams, Cape Elizabeth

• Playground, rocky beach exploration, fort climbing, rock climbing, children’s garden, ponding and insect catching with nets, lighthouse stories
• Wear quick dry clothing or bathing suits, good hiking/running shoes or comfortable water shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 11 (Tuesday)-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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 12 (Wednesday)- Reid State Park, Georgetown

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 13 (Thursday)-Mackworth Island, Falmouth

• Tide pooling, sand play, rock collecting, bird watching, forest hike, 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 14 (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 8

August 17 (Monday)- Vaughan’s Woods, Hallowell (Hall Dale High  School 41 minutes)

• hiking, bird watching, shelter/den/fairy house building, games, stream and pond study, vernal pool survey, whittling, journaling in hammocks, animal tracking, rotting log dissections, insect collecting
• Wear quick dry clothing, good hiking/running shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 18 (Tuesday)- Range Pond State Park, Poland

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 19 (Wednesday)- Ferry Beach State Park, Saco

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 20 (Thursday)-Wolfe’s Neck State Park, Freeport

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

          Cousin’s Island Sandy Beach, Yarmouth

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 21 (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 9 

August 24 (Monday)- Gilsland Farm, Maine Audubon Society, Falmouth

• Indoor nature center, hiking, bird watching, fairy house building, games, pond study, journaling, animal tracking, nature crafting, turkey hunting, insect collecting
• Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, good hiking/running shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 25 (Tuesday)- Cathance River, Topsham

• River exploration, rock climbing, herp hunting, hiking, rock collecting, geocaching, 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), snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 26 (Wednesday)- Florida Lake, Freeport 

• 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
• Wear quick dry clothing or a bathing suit, good hiking/running shoes or comfortable water shoes, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 27 (Thursday)- Wolfe’s Neck State Park, Freeport

• 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, snacks, water bottle and lunch

 

August 28 (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