Outdoor Classroom grants are available for early learning centers and pre-K through 12th grade public schools in Maine to build an outdoor classroom at their site. Funding is provided through Friends of Acadia to support more youth engagement with Acadia National Park.
Eighth graders learn about forest diversity. (Ashley L. Cont/Friends of Acadia)
An outdoor classroom is an innovative outdoor educational space that brings learning to life by bringing the learning outside. It becomes a gathering place for teachers and students and provides an opportunity to integrate nature into the school grounds.
Outdoor classrooms must be hosted on school grounds and can be used in every season. While all subjects and curricula can be presented in an outdoor classroom, schools must provide a curriculum link to Acadia National Park to receive grant funding through this program.
Outdoor learning became essential in 2020-21 as educators struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Friends of Acadia was able to increase support and provide outdoor classroom grants to six public schools surrounding Acadia, enabling them to provide safe outdoor spaces for students to connect with the park and associated ecosystems.
Funding supports more youth engagement with Acadia National Park. The grant is designed to be flexible to meet your community needs and reduce barriers to outdoor learning. Funds may be used to create a new outdoor learning space or enhance an existing space. Funds may also be used to purchase educational supplies, outdoor gear, and much more.
Grant supports campuses who have received a previous outdoor classroom grant from Friends of Acadia to expand outdoor learning. The grant is designed to be flexible to meet your community needs and reduce barriers for staff and students to enjoy learning outdoors
A high school student peers into a specimen container. (Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia)
To get started, you need a great plan and plenty of school commitment. Elements of an outdoor classroom can include:
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