Senate unanimously approves Sen. Brenner bill to establish Outdoor School for All

Posted: June 12, 2023 | Senator Brenner

AUGUSTA — On Monday, the Maine Senate unanimously approved of a bill from Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, in an initial vote. LD 1817, “An Act to Support Outdoor Education by Establishing the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program,” would establish a statewide Outdoor School for All program for students in grades 4 through 8.

“The Outdoor School movement is a perfect fit for Maine,” said Sen. Brenner. “We have the opportunity to shape this program so that it works best for each part of our state. This program will help our children learn the joy that comes from loving, appreciating, managing, and nurturing our outdoors. Young Mainers deserve to learn and value our incredible environment. By starting this appreciation at a young age, we are investing in a future, which will be filled with people who understand the importance of protecting and managing our resources. I’m grateful to my Senate colleagues for their unanimous support.”

Senator Stacy Brenner

This legislation would provide immersive, outdoor education for students enrolled in grades 4 to 8 by establishing an Outdoor School for All program in Maine. As amended, this program would include students at all publicly funded schools, such as charter schools, public schools, private schools that enroll at least 60% of publicly funded students and those who are homeschooled. This bill would create equitable opportunities for students across the state to have outdoor experiences. This legislation would build immersive outdoor education programs, creating interdisciplinary and experiential education in an outdoor setting.

This legislation would:

  • Establish an Outdoor School for All Maine Students Fund dedicated to developing outdoor education programs in collaboration with schools across the state
  • Develop an Outdoor School Program consisting of a 2-night, 3-day immersive experience outdoors
  • Create an Advisory Committee to oversee the program, make recommendations, and seek new opportunities for growth
  • Build curriculum to include conservation, STEM learning, and sustainability, alongside necessary skills such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving
  • Administer funding through a grant program established under the University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Similar Outdoor School for All programs have been established in Oregon and Washington. Since Oregon’s Outdoor School Law was implemented in 2016, over 150,000 students have attended Outdoor School. Students in grades 5 and 6 attend a week of Outdoor School. In 2022, Washington also passed legislation to establish a statewide Outdoor School for All program. This grant program administers funds to school districts to develop immersive outdoor education for students in grades 5 and 6.

LD 1817 faces further votes in the Senate and House.

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