Making Outdoor Gear More Accessible and Equitable
to Early Childhood Classrooms.

Congratulations to the 2025 Gear Mini Grant Awardees!

This year, 39 grants were given totaling $55K with a high focus on programs that serve children who are low income, bilingual, indigenous or have special needs.
Thank you to ALL that applied.

Asho Ali Childcare, Lewiston

Atlantic Academy, Rockport

Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley, Gardiner

Bright Eyes Early Learning Center,
Cape Elizabeth

Busy Beez Child Care, Saint George

Children First Early Learning Center, Kennebunk

Dragon Bilingual Childcare, Bangor

Explore More Daycare, Greene

Joanne's Daycare, Jackman

Just Like Home Childcare, Sanford

KidsPeace New England, Orono

KidsPeace New England Graham Lake, Ellsworth

KidsPeace New England, Millinocket

Lil Bucks N Does Daycare, Pittston

Lil Munchkins Childcare, Somerville

Little Pumpkin Patch Daycare, Mexico

Little Rascals Family Childcare, Oxford

Little Woodland Home Daycare, Leeds

Lots of Tots Child Care, Princeton

Maritime Munchkins, Charlotte

Mis Primeros Pasos My First Steps, LLC, Ellsworth

Penquis Child Development, Dover-Foxcroft

Piggly Wiggly Daycare, Belmont

Rockland Headstart, Rockland

Salt Breeze Early Learning, Pittsfield

Southern Kennebec Child Development Headstart, Augusta

Space To Thrive, Windham

Starrett Children's Center, Belfast

Step-by-Step Child Care, Inc, Milbridge

Stepping Stones Early Learning Center, Greene

Sunrise Opportunities-Washington County Children's Program, Machias

Sunshine Family Day Care, Bradley

Sweet Tomatoes Learning Center, Jay

The Children's Ark Learning Academy, Westbrook

The Cubhouse Childcare, Dover-Foxcroft

Tiny Titans Daycare, Lewiston

Wee Care Daycare, Mexico

Wolf Family Play-School, Mercer

Youngsters Child Care, Dover-Foxcroft

Outdoor School Shop is our partner in improving access to high-quality outdoor gear for children and educators. It offers generous discounts on outdoor gear to MaineECO members, and we encourage members - awardees or not - to shop for their inventory, here.
Please be advised, no additional coupons can be combined with this discount.

The mission of MaineECO’s Gear Mini Grant Program is to increase the amount of time children can spend outdoors and to enhance those experiences so they foster deeper, more meaningful connections to the natural world. We believe that outdoor play and learning are essential to healthy child development—and that access to high-quality outdoor apparel is a basic need, not a luxury, for all children and early childhood programs in Maine.

Unfortunately, access to appropriate gear remains a significant barrier across our state, especially for under-resourced communities. This program, and others highlighted below, are designed to help remove that barrier, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to be outside safely, comfortably, and often.

Frequently

Asked

Questions

Congratulations on being awarded! Please note these important dates:
All grantees need to have ordered by October 31st and gear should arrive within 2 weeks after ordering
A 2025 grant report will be due from all grantees by May 15, 2026.
Any person can apply on behalf of a licensed early childhood program in Maine who did not receive a MaineECO Gear Grant in 2024 & 2025.
Having a current OCFS Childcare License # is a requirement. Programs of all type, size or philosophy are eligible and any person connected (regardless of role) may fill out the application and serve as the contact.
For past awardees, there may be future opportunities to re-apply but not in this current year.
No, all licensed childcare programs in Maine are encouraged to apply regardless of philosophical approach or caregiving practices.
The mission of this program is to increase a child’s time and experience outdoors so there should be alignment with that mission from applicants.
Application portal will likely open in September of 2026. Once you’ve applied, you will only receive a closing survey page; you will not receive a confirmation email.
Decisions are likely made by October 2026.
Funding through the MaineECO Outdoor School Shop Ordering portal follows, and a grant report is due the following spring.
Grantees will need to submit a grant report by May 15, 2026 via another google form. Photos of the gear being used will be required as well as testimonials from teachers, parents or administrators.
Specifically programs will need to report back on the ways in which this gear increased time spent outdoors by children and enhanced their experience outdoors to offer a more meaningful connection with nature
MaineECO has partnered with experts at Outdoor School Shop this year to offer the best gear at significantly discounted prices. Outdoor School Shop has assisted thousands of schools and childcare programs across the country in providing outdoor apparel for their children and teachers, their expertise is invaluable. All basic outdoor apparel will be available: rain pants & jackets, rain boots, rain over mittens, snow boots, snow pants & jackets, snow mittens & hats, infant apparel, base layers and socks
Grantees will be given direct access to our own customer service representative at OSS to help guide them in their ordering. We have taken the guesswork and hassle out of finding and obtaining gear!
Outdoor materials and gear such as backpacks, water bottles or strollers are not eligible for purchase this year
Yes, if you are in need of a translator, need physical assistance filling out the application or have questions about the application please email info@maineeco.org
The Gear Mini Grant awards $1,000-$2,000 depending on size of the program.
0-12 students: $1,000
13-49 students: $1,500
50+ students: $2,000

Closed For 2025

Classroom Outcomes of the Gear Grant

Increased Outdoor Play

The grant-provided gear significantly increased the amount of time children could spend outdoors, even in varying weather conditions like rain, mud, and cold.

Enhanced Comfort and Safety

The gear (rain suits, fleece, snowsuits, boots, mittens, hats, socks) kept children warm, dry, and comfortable, allowing them to engage in outdoor activities for longer periods.

Reduced Barriers to Participation

The gear helped remove financial or logistical barriers for families, ensuring all children could participate in outdoor play regardless of their ability to provide appropriate clothing.

Improved Behavior and Learning

Several reports noted that increased outdoor time, facilitated by the gear, led to improved self-regulation and behaviors in children. It also fostered learning, curiosity, sensory play, and a connection with nature.

Staff and Parent Appreciation

Staff members were more willing to go outside, and parents appreciated their children coming home dry and clean, as well as the extended learning opportunities.

Support for Diverse Needs

The grant benefited various programs, including those for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children with special needs, making outdoor transitions smoother and more inclusive.

Partner Spotlight:
Maine Gear Share: Gear Rental Program

MaineECO is proud to partner with Maine GearShare (MGS) on an innovative early childhood gear rental pilot program. This collaboration aims to make high-quality outdoor gear more accessible to early childhood programs across the state by offering 9 month rentals for children and educators.

The pilot is currently in progress, providing valuable insight into how gear rentals can reduce barriers to outdoor learning. We’re excited to expand the program next year, reaching more programs and communities with the gear they need to get outside early and often—no matter the weather.

Maine Gear Share is a valuable resource to the environmental education field for all ages, please check out their website for the expansive services and programs they offer.

Public school teachers, administrators and curriculum coordinators. Those working in grades PreK through Grade 2.
All our services are free of charge.

Partner Spotlight:
Outdoor School Shop

MaineECO is honored to partner with Outdoor School Shop (OSS)—a company making a tremendous impact in the field of education by improving access to high-quality outdoor gear for children and educators. OSS understands that appropriate gear is essential for meaningful outdoor learning and has become a trusted, mission-driven resource with impeccable in-person customer service for programs across the country.

This year, Outdoor School Shop is generously supporting our Gear Mini Grant Program, helping ensure that more children in Maine can get outside comfortably and safely, regardless of the weather. In addition to this support, OSS is offering exclusive discount coupons to all applicants, making it easier for programs and partners to equip their staff and children—whether or not they receive a grant.

We’re deeply grateful for this partnership and for OSS’s commitment to equity, access, and the power of outdoor education. We recommend you visit their site for all your gear needs!

MaineECO Network Coordinator, Anne Adams, provides an overview of typical Maine weather hazards to be prepared for, gear layering techniques, brands to purchase from, design and quality aspects to focus on in gear, and more.