On November 22nd, we marked a milestone that still feels surreal: the one-year anniversary of purchasing the Portland Gear Hub building, our forever home. More than 50 people gathered with us to celebrate, filling the space with the same energy, generosity, and community spirit that made this moment possible in the first place. It was… Read more…
Ketcha Outdoors Blog
Farm & Forest Preschool – Deep Dive – Rolling Pumpkins
At Farm & Forest School, learning often begins with the simplest moments. This week, School Director Kailina Mills, EdD, shares how a spontaneous game of rolling pumpkins down a hill turned into a rich, child-led learning experience. What looked like joyful play was also an opportunity for early scientists to explore cause and effect, test… Read more…
Brady’s Ketcha Story – Confidence That Lasts a Lifetime
When Brady first came to Ketcha Outdoors as a camper, he discovered more than just a summer program. Camp gave him the space to explore, try new things, and build lasting friendships. Those summers outdoors helped him grow in confidence and showed him the value of teamwork and responsibility. Lessons that would stay with him… Read more…
Building Fine Motor Skills with Fall’s Natural Materials
In this week’s Deep Dive, Farm & Forest School Director Kailina Mills explores how children develop fine motor skills, the small muscle movements in the fingers, hands, and wrists that are essential for writing, self-help tasks, and everyday independence. At Ketcha Outdoors, these skills are built naturally through play and exploration using seasonal materials. Students… Read more…
Ketcha Outdoors Names Lucia Stancioff as New Executive Director
The Ketcha Outdoors Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Lucia Stancioff as the organization’s new Executive Director. Stancioff brings extensive leadership and nonprofit experience to the role, with a background in environmental education, early childhood development, financial oversight, and organizational development. Throughout her career, Stancioff has worked to ensure children have… Read more…
Exciting News: Ketcha Outdoors Selected for the 2025 Better Neighbor Fund! 🎉
We are thrilled to announce that Ketcha Outdoors is one of just 20 nonprofits selected for Town & Country Federal Credit Union’s 2025 Better Neighbor Fund! Here’s how it works: $28,500 will be awarded to local nonprofits. The top 8 organizations with the most votes will receive funding. Voting runs October 1–31, and you can… Read more…
Foundational Math Skills in the Forest
This week’s Deep Dive explores how Reggio Emilia educators offer invitations and scaffolding to promote learning and development, diving deeply into how foundational math skills can be taught, modeled, practiced, and strengthened through children’s natural free play in the forest. Featuring Kailina Mills, EdD, Farm & Forest School Director.
A Beautiful Day on the Course – Thank You for Supporting Ketcha Outdoors!
What an incredible day at Prouts Neck Country Club! Thanks to the overwhelming support of our sponsors, golfers, and in-kind partners, this year’s Ketcha Outdoors Golf Tournament raised over $35,000 to support our mission of providing equitable access to outdoor experiences and gear. With more than 80 golfers joining us on a beautiful day by the water,… Read more…
Hand Washing Deep Dive featuring Kailina Mills, EdD, Farm and Forest School Director
In the first Deep Dive video of the 2025-2026 school year, Kailina talks about one of the first lessons of the school year: How to Wash Our Hands! She discusses why we begin the year with this activity and offers some advice on how you can reinforce the learning and continue it at home. Featuring… Read more…
Autumn Adventures – October 10th Vacation Day Camp
Celebrate the beauty of fall with a full day of hands-on seasonal fun! Campers will explore the forest at peak color, learning how to use a field guide to identify local trees, and create stunning Japanese-style leaf prints to take home. They’ll expand their culinary horizons with a gourmet apple tasting and conduct a STEM… Read more…
Camp Ketcha at the Maine Mariners! Oct 19, 2025 3:00 PM EDT
Tickets: $26.82 Get Tickets View All Offers for This Group Camp Ketcha at the Mariners on Oct. 19th! Ketcha Outdoors is a nonprofit organization in Scarborough, Maine, dedicated to connecting people of all ages to the outdoors. Since 1964, Ketcha has provided nature-based summer camps, preschool, afterschool programs, and outdoor education that foster confidence, resilience, and… Read more…
