The Ecology School in Saco launches statewide program to bring learning outside

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 23, 2025

The Outdoor School for All Maine Students program launched last week at The Ecology School in Saco, hosting seventh-grade students from Sanford Middle School for a three-day outdoor learning program. Drew Dumsch, president and CEO of The Ecology School, said the school’s goal is to provide outdoor learning to 14,000 students a year. “Our goal is that every kid in Maine gets to come to an outdoor school program,” Dumsch said. Outdoor School for All Maine Students is an initiative that allows Maine schools to send their students to overnight programs at outdoor schools across Maine.