Request for Applications:
Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program

I. Program Overview

The Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program was established by the Maine Legislature through the passage of  “An Act to Support Immersive Outdoor Education by Establishing the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program” in May of 2025. When fully funded, this statute is intended to provide immersive, interdisciplinary outdoor education to public school students across the state. Administered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the program seeks to build student confidence, support mental and physical health, and instill an appreciation for Maine’s natural resources and legacy industries industries, such as farming, forestry, fishing and outdoor recreation and tourism.

For the 2025-2026 school year pilot, funds are limited and the Extension Outdoor School program will prioritize equitable access for regions and populations traditionally underserved by outdoor education.

II. Eligibility Requirements

1. Eligible Applicants

To be certified as an Outdoor School provider, organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Be a not-for-profit organization currently operating in the State of Maine.
  
• Possess valid state licensure for the site and program. For programs that happen at a dedicated Outdoor School site, eligible licensure includes: 1.) Applicant is a licensed summer camp under the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), or a limited purpose school under the Maine Department of Education (DOE). For partnership programs operating at a rented or leased site not typically dedicated to Outdoor School, the site must be licensed for meals and lodging (DHHS Health Inspection Program) and staff for the program must comply with the requirements of MRS Title 12; Chapter 927 (see below).

• Programs that occur wholly or in part at primitive sites or that utilize boats on fresh water, must provide evidence of compliance with the requirements of MRS Title 12; Chapter 927  regarding licensed guides, youth camp trip leaders or educational trip leaders. This will include standards for safety and sanitation, background checks and certifications for guides and trip leaders. For programs that include boating operations on salt water, evidence of compliance with appropriate state of Maine and U.S. Coast Guard regulations for salt water operations must be provided. 

• Provide evidence of liability insurance of at least $1 million, naming the University of Maine System as additional insured.
  
• Provide assurance that all staff working with students are background checked and trained in safety, risk management, and outdoor education best practices.

• Pledge to provide equitable access to the program to all students, including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

2. Intended Audiences

Programs must serve students in grades 4 through 8 in publicly funded schools. Publicly funded schools and high need criteria are defined as:

• Public schools, charter schools and tribal schools Title 20-A
  
• Home-schooled students may participate through a school district partnership
  
• Priority in funding will be given to proposals to serve schools and communities with high populations of students that meet one or more of the following definitions of need: Indian tribes and nations, migrant students, rural/remote populations, students of color, English language learners, students in alternative education programs, students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, students receiving special education services

III. Program Standards and Curriculum

Outdoor School programs must meet the following criteria:

• Immersive Experience: Provide a minimum of 2-night, 3-day experiences for public school clients.  Day programs are acceptable only if health or cultural considerations make overnights impractical.
  
• Curriculum Focus: Use local ecosystems for hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health, and environmental sustainability.
  
• Skills Development: Focus on social-emotional skills, including teamwork, citizenship, leadership and self-awareness.
  
• Accessibility: Maintain high levels of accessibility for students with disabilities and pledge equitable access for all participants.

IV. Funding and Award Information

• Grants are awarded based on a formula of up to $395 per student. 

• For the Spring 2026 session, due to limited funds Extension Outdoor School will consider funding requests up to $29,625 or a maximum number of 75 students at $395 per student. 

• Proposals that incorporate matching funds are encouraged in order to maximize student participation with available funds. This could include funding from the school, institutional match, or external grants/sponsorships. 

V. Application Process and Deadlines

Applicants must complete the official Outdoor School Program Provider Application process.

Key Deadlines and Application Components

RFA release/Eligibility Checklist	February 2, 2026
Grant Portal Opens	February 9, 2026
Application Deadline	February 27, 2026

The process includes includes two steps:

1. Complete the Certified Program Provider Application (if you received a grant in the Fall 2025 funding round, you may skip this step).
   
2. Complete the Outdoor School Grant Application, which consists of the following sections:

VI. Evaluation and Reporting

In order to help tell the story of the impact of Outdoor School for Maine students, Extension Outdoor School grant recipients must agree to:

• Participate in a longitudinal study to understand the effects of outdoor education on student trajectories.
  
• Require participating schools, teachers, and students to complete an online evaluation survey immediately following the program.

• Provide Cooperative Extension with a report at the end of the performance period detailing the following data:
  • Number of students served from which school/schools
  • Number of teachers/school representatives attending
  • Reflection on what went well, what could be improved upon in the following categories:
    • Communication from Extension on grant process
    • School communication/contract flow
    • Program delivery