Your support of the Maine Early Childhood Outdoors Gear Grant provides access to outdoor education for early learners.
Many children face a “nature gap” limited access to outdoor experiences due to socioeconomic, geographic, or systemic barriers. Organizations like Maine Early Childhood Outdoors prioritize equitable access so all children can benefit from outdoor learning. Children lacking appropriate outdoor gear, especially rain gear, has been identified as a significant barrier for Maine Early Childhood Centers.
In just two years, MaineECO’s Gear Grant has received 600+ applications; representing nearly 10,000 children across Maine who need outdoor gear to learn and play outside. So far, we’ve awarded 73 grants totaling $91,000, reaching over 2,500 children—but the need far exceeds our resources.
Your support can change that. Help us ensure every child has the gear they need to get outside, explore, and thrive.
Gear Grant Testimonials
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Busy Beez Child Care
“We purchased much needed snow gear.
Many times our after-school children come off the bus with wet outdoor gear. By having high quality extras, we are able to go outside comfortably every afternoon.”
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Step-By-Step Child Care
We now possess all the gear we need for children to get outside year round. The kids; the families; the staff love the suits! It has been a very positive purchase for everyone!
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Parent of a student at The Children’s Ark Learning Academy
“The way this daycare supports my children, particularly by providing outdoor clothing, helps me feel supported and truly seen as a mom.”
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Boys & Girls Club Kennebec Valley
“Maine weather is unpredictable and it makes it very hard to go outside. With our new rainsuits we have been able to spend more time outdoors.”
Frequently Asked Questions About MaineECO’s Gear Grant
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All donations go directly to purchasing high quality outdoor apparel for licensed childcare centers in Maine
All gear is tested and selected based on quality and purchased for bulk and discounted prices through Outdoor School Shop
Outdoor apparel purchased by programs may include, but is not limited to: rain/snow boots, rain/snow pants and jackets, hats, mittens, base layers, fleece jackets, and socks for adults and children at the program.
Examples of what your donation could support are as follows:
$100
One complete set of child rain gear boots, pants, jacket, mittens
Teacher All Weather Boots
Teacher Rain Pants & Jacket
$250
Complete set of child snow gear, boots, pants, jacket, hat & mittens.
$400
Complete teacher set of gear. Boots, rain pants & jacket, snow pants, hat & gloves.
$750
Complete classroom set of hats & mittens with extras.
$1000
Complete classroom set of children’s all weather boots.
$2000
Complete classroom set of rain gear. Boots, pants, jackets, mittens.
$4500
Complete classroom set of snow gear. Boots, pants, jackets, hats & mittens.
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The gear purchased through the Gear Grant Program is of the highest quality to ensure the longest lifespan. MaineECO & Maine Gear Share offer training and support on how to care for and repair gear as needed to prolong its lifespan. All gear purchased has been tested and reviewed under heavy use by children. Fully outdoor programs using this gear report it to last 8-10 years at least. Programs with less rigorous use would have gear even longer.
The strategy of putting gear directly in the childcare center’s hands is one of the most sustainable options when considering the possible lifespan of gear and impact on the environment.
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Our application process is a simple form based on the idea that all children need outdoor gear in Maine regardless of where they live or what kind of childcare program they are in. Access to nature is a basic right that supports mental and physical health, social emotional skills, later academic success and overall well being. Maine’s climate necessitates outdoor apparel for children to have access to the outdoors.
Because funds are limited we do prioritize high need child care programs based on a multifactor system which includes; childcare subsidy rates, state subsidy rates, county poverty rates, new american or indigenous population rates and general feedback from the applicants.
This helps reduce barriers and expand participation across diverse populations.
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Grants are awarded to licensed child care programs in Maine.
Beneficiaries of the grant funds and outdoor apparel are children, teachers, families, childcare programs and communities.
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Based on feedback from past gear grant recipients, your support can:
Help a classroom learn outdoors for the first time in certain weather or during certain seasons
Increase the number of days a child goes outside in the year
Increase the amount of time a child spends outside each day
Deepen a child’s learning experience through increased engagement while outdoors
Make a child or teacher’s time outside more comfortable and enjoyable
Build lifelong memories and connections with the environment
Lessen parental stress when purchasing and caring for outdoor gear for their growing child
Lessen a teacher’s stress when preparing children for outdoor activities
Build classroom culture that is nature positive
Increase physical and mental health of children and their teachers
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Impact is tracked through:
Grant reporting includes questionnaires, photos, narratives and interviews
Application and Participation Data
Other gear programs; Maine Gear Share Gear Rental Program, Maine Environmental Education Association Mini Grant Program, Gear Grant Programs in other States
Literary reviews and research
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Yes. All donations go through MaineECO’s fiscal sponsor, MaineAEYC which is a registered 501(c)(3).
You’ll receive an email confirmation, once you donate, which can be used as a receipt for tax purposes.
If you need a more formal receipt to document this donation, please contact info@maineeco.org.
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Subscribing to MaineECO’s newsletter is the best way to stay updated about our gear grant program, recipients and data.
Following us on FAcebook and Instagram will also provide updates
MaineECO’s Gear Grant Web Page is updated with news, stories, photos and data throughout the year
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A donation can be made of any amount through this secure link.
Additionally, checks can be made with the following information:
Payable to:
Maine Association of the Education of Young ChildrenMemo: MaineECO Gear Grant
Mail to: MaineAEYC
1 Weston Court Suite 203A,
August ME 04330
Academic Outcomes of Nature Based Learning
Students who attend play and nature based preschools demonstrate stronger long-term academic outcomes.
While children enrolled in academically focused preschool programs may show modest advantages in kindergarten, these differences typically diminish by third grade.
By sixth grade, however, students with play-based early childhood experiences tend to outperform their peers, with these benefits persisting into later life.
Lipsey, M. W., Farran, D. C., & Durkin, K. (2018). Effects of the Tennessee prekindergarten program on children’s achievement and behavior through third grade. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 45, 155–176.
Marcon, R. A. (2002). Moving up the Grades: Relationship between Preschool Model and Later School Success. Early Childhood Research and Practice, 4(1).
Climate Outcomes of Nature Based Learning
The two biggest predictors of adult environmental stewardship are:
1. Spending time outdoors as a child, and
2. Having adult role models who care for nature.
Early childhood is a critical window—when children form deep sensory and emotional bonds with the world around them. The goals connection, curiosity, and care, so children fall in love with the natural world so that they grow up wanting to protect it.
