An Act to Support Immersive Outdoor Education by Establishing
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0895
Sponsors: BENNETT, CARLOW

Legislative Document
No. 895
S.P. 384
In Senate, March 11, 2025
An Act to Support Immersive Outdoor Education by Establishing 
the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 5, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BENNETT of Oxford.
Cosponsored by Representative CARLOW of Buxton and
Senators: BRENNER of Cumberland, GROHOSKI of Hancock, GUERIN of Penobscot, 
RAFFERTY of York, TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin, Representatives: MURPHY of 
Scarborough, RIELLY of Westbrook.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this legislation establishes an immersive outdoor education program that 
provides interdisciplinary and experiential education in an outdoor setting, and this 
legislation creates equitable opportunities for students across this State to have outdoor 
experiences; and
Whereas, many children in this State lack opportunities to enjoy and learn about the 
outdoors because of home circumstances, lack of access or transportation or a deficiency 
of suitable school or community-based programs; and
Whereas, the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program will prepare children 
in this State for future success, will build self-awareness and confidence and will be an 
opportunity to instill the importance of the State's natural resources industries by 
encouraging future generations of farmers, foresters, persons who fish commercially and 
others working outdoors or as stewards of the State's natural resources; and
Whereas, the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program will begin in school 
year 2025-2026; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA c. 433 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 433
IMMERSIVE OUTDOOR EDUCATION
§5301.  Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms 
have the following meanings.
1.  Fund.  "Fund" means the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program Fund 
established within the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service in section 5304.
2.  Immersive outdoor education.  "Immersive outdoor education" means 
experiential, holistic and interdisciplinary education that uses the outdoor setting to engage 
students in educational opportunities about the outdoors and natural resources industries 
and supports the health and wellness of students.
3.  Outdoor education program provider.  "Outdoor education program provider" 
means an organization that offers immersive outdoor education.
4. Program. "Program" means the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program 
established by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service pursuant to section 
5302.
§5302.  Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program
1.  Program established.  The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service 
shall establish and administer the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program to 
support immersive outdoor education and to assist school administrative units in partnering 
with outdoor education programs.
2.  Grant requirements.  Beginning in school year 2025-2026, the University of 
Maine Cooperative Extension Service shall provide grants to implement the program in 
order to assist school administrative units in partnering with outdoor education program 
providers. Grants under the program must be:
A.  Distributed to an outdoor education program provider that meets the requirements 
of section 5303;
B.  Used to serve publicly funded students enrolled in grade 4 to grade 8 in schools 
operated by tribal school committees or students enrolled in grade 4 to grade 8 in 
publicly funded schools in the State, as determined by the sending school 
administrative unit and the outdoor education program provider based on community 
needs and the curriculum.  A student receiving home-school instruction is eligible to 
participate in the program as provided by Title 20-A, section 5021.  For purposes of 
this paragraph, "publicly funded school" means a school required to participate in the 
system of learning results established in Title 20-A, section 6209;
C.  Provided to the same school grade each year to ensure that students in subsequent 
years have an opportunity to participate in the program; and
D.  If program funds are limited, prioritized for schools and communities that are 
historically underserved by outdoor education, including, but not limited to, Indian 
tribes and nations, migrant students, schools with high numbers of students who qualify 
for free and reduced-price lunches, rural and remote schools, students in alternative 
education programs, students of color, English language learner students and students 
receiving special education services.
§5303.  Outdoor education program provider requirements
This section governs the requirements for outdoor education program providers.
1.  Program curricula.  The program must:
A.  Use the outdoors and local ecosystems as the primary context to support hands-on 
learning, including lessons, meals and on-site living;
B.  Engage students in safe and age-appropriate activities;
C.  Focus on the State's outdoor heritage, science, engineering, technology, 
mathematics, health, environment and natural resources and sustainability by including 
a strong academic component that supports overall academic achievement and career 
trajectories and connects science with other subjects to support students' understanding 
of:
(1)  Conserving and developing marine and estuarine resources;
(2)  Conducting scientific research;
(3)  Promoting the State's coastal fishing industries;
(4)  Protecting and managing fish, game and other wildlife and their habitats, 
including restoring endangered species;
(5)  Promoting agriculture, conservation, forestry, land management and the well-
being of domestic animals;
(6)  Safely enjoying the outdoors; and
(7)  Promoting public health;
D.  Develop students' social and emotional skills, including teamwork, citizenship, self-
awareness and community responsibility;
E.  Support students' health and wellness by developing an appreciation for education 
and recreation in the outdoors;
F.  Encourage hands-on engagement, observation, discovery, intellectual curiosity and 
problem-solving; and
G.  Support students and teachers to combat the learning loss associated with the 
COVID-19 pandemic.
2.  Program structure.  An outdoor education program provider shall:
A.  Comply with the requirements of section 12863 regarding educational trip leaders;
B.  Provide outdoor programs for a 2-night, 3-day experience or day programs when 
overnight programs are impractical due to health or cultural considerations;
C.  Pursue a sustainable funding model;
D.  Collaborate with schools and teachers to provide access to the program;
E.  Pledge to provide equitable access to the program to all students;
F.  Train educators in educational strategies and field work;
G.  Develop and participate in an evaluation program in accordance with section 5305; 
and
H.  Promote high levels of accessibility for students with disabilities.
§5304.  Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program Fund
1.  Fund established.  The Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program Fund is 
established within the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service.  The University 
of Maine Cooperative Extension Service shall administer grant funds for the program in 
accordance with subsection 2.  The fund is nonlapsing and may be invested in the same 
manner as permitted for the investment of other state funds.
2.  Use of fund.  For school year 2025-2026 and each school year thereafter, the 
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service shall determine the funding needed for 
the program. The funding must be sufficient for students in all geographic regions of the 
State to participate in the program for a 2-night, 3-day experience.
3.  Sources of fund.  The State Controller shall credit to the fund:
A.  All money appropriated or allocated by the Legislature for inclusion in the fund;
B.  Money from any other source, whether public or private, designated for deposit into 
or credited to the fund; and
C.  Interest earned or other investment income on balances in the fund.
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service may use funds for staff and 
for administrative costs associated with administering grant funds for the program. The 
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service is not required to undertake work or 
provide services for which it does not have sufficient funding.
§5305.  Report; evaluation
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service, in consultation with the 
advisory committee under section 5306, shall develop an evaluation and longitudinal study 
on current and future demographics of students participating in the program for the purpose 
of ensuring equitable access and to understand the effects of outdoor education on 
emotional, educational and career trajectories of students who have participated in the 
program.  Beginning March 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the University of Maine 
Cooperative Extension Service shall submit a report regarding the study to the joint 
standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters, inland 
fisheries and wildlife matters and agriculture, conservation and forestry matters. The report 
must include an emphasis on information regarding the accessibility of the program from 
a geographic, economic, ethnic and disability perspective and the program's effect on state 
workforce goals.
§5306.  Advisory committee
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service shall convene an advisory 
committee for the purpose of advising and making recommendations regarding the program 
and seeking new opportunities to ensure that the State is a nationwide leader in outdoor 
education, including high school education career training programs. In inviting members 
onto the advisory committee, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service shall 
take into consideration geographic and demographic diversity in membership and ensure 
that membership of the committee includes a youth advocate and representatives of all 
applicable state agencies, the outdoor education program provider community, the natural 
resources community and upper elementary and middle school education.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program to provide 
immersive outdoor education to serve students enrolled in grade 4 to grade 8 in the State. 
It also establishes the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program Fund within the 
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service.