MaineECO + Bowdoin College Children's Center Fall Workshop Series

Held over a series of four sessions.
Session 3: Addressing outdoor equity and justice with staff

Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 5:45-7:30pm, Bowdoin College Children’s Center, Brunswick ME

Goal: Apply the four core goals of anti-bias framework (identity, diversity, justice, and action) to staff development in connection with nature and the outdoors.

Objectives: This workshop offers another perspective on early learning outcomes as we notice the focus on “getting to the goal”, “making sure children’s behaviors meet expectations”, and having things done in a “timely manner”.  As we rethink our goals in light of standards and assessments we consider nature.  We see that there is no one right way to be a flower, creatures of all shapes and sizes behave in different ways together, and time occurs in so many ways: tree rings, leaves changing color, and the way the sun casts shadows. Outdoor programs provide time and space for children to engage in the natural world, so staff provide ample opportunity to engage children in what is referred to as “frictions in the forest,” questioning what is accepted as the norm and looking to nature for answers. We will discuss ways of allowing for these frictions in our work and how this builds a more collaborative and trusting team.

• Register here.

• Other session dates:

  • November 19, 2025: Sustaining outdoor, nature-based learning in theory and practice

  • Other session information, here.

• Location for all sessions: Bowdoin College Children's Center; 6 South Street, Brunswick  

• Time for all sessions: Wednesday evenings from 5:45-7:30pm

• Certificates of Participation are available from MaineECO for elective training hours

• It is beneficial to attend all sessions but not required, attend what you can!

• Light snacks & beverages will be served

• Facilitated by Martha Eshoo, Executive Director and Lauren Ball, Lead Preschool Educator