Ketcha Outdoors

Summer Camps | Pre-K | Preschool | After School | Event Rental | Wedding Venue | Scarborough, Maine

School Admissions and Enrollment

Essential Eligibility Criteria

  • As an outdoor school, we operate our programming in unfenced environments, including (but not limited to) woods, waterways, and a farm with animals. To ensure the safety and success of all students, we have some Essential Eligibility Criteria that children must meet to participate in our programming. Please review the complete “Essential Eligibility Criteria” document before applying. Should you enroll, you will sign this document to indicate you have read and understand the Eligibility Criteria and that your child meets the eligibility requirements.   
  • We can accommodate children who need 1:1 support if their support professional is provided by the family or through another service (such as CDS). If your child requires additional support, please contact Preschool Director kmills@ketchaoutdoors.org to discuss whether this program will be a good fit for your child.   

“Our child has absolutely thrived at Ketcha Farm and Forest Preschool. Every day, they come home excited to share what they’ve discovered in nature, and we see how much they’ve grown in confidence and curiosity. It’s a magical place that lets them be kids while learning so much about the world around them.”

Admissions Process

  • All families must tour the campus with the Farm & Forest School Director and their child before enrolling.  
    • Note: Prospective families that apply before the early enrollment deadline in January will be prioritized in the admissions process.  
  • Families submit a completed registration form to the Farm & Forest School Director.  
    • Note: Prospective families that pre-register before January are prioritized in the admissions process. 
  • Families are notified of their admissions status.  

Financial Assistance Is Available 

Ketcha Outdoors’ mission is to provide equitable access to outdoor experiences that promote well-being, sustainability, and resilient communities. As part of this mission, we believe the cost of attending preschool at Ketcha should never be an insurmountable barrier.  

We offer a financial assistance program and strongly encourage families to apply if the cost of preschool would otherwise prevent your child from attending. Financial assistance is available as partial support, ranging from approximately 25% to over 90% off the cost, depending on individual circumstances and available funding.

The 2026 Scholarship Application will be available through Campminder as a form during registration.  If you need a PDF document, you can find it here.

What Are the Standards to Receive Financial Assistance? 

When funding is available, we offer the following standard assistance awards: 

  • 90% off per month for families or guardians receiving SNAP or WIC benefits 
  • 45% off per month for families or guardians enrolled in MaineCare 
  • 25% off per month for families at or below the ALICE household survival budget threshold:  Maine | UnitedForALICE 
  • Other funding may be awarded for financial concerns outside of the above, and we welcome applications for other reasons than those mentioned above. 

Enrollment in Maine Care or SNAP/WIC is not required to apply for financial assistance. We encourage any family to apply if they believe financial assistance could be the deciding factor in whether their child is able to enroll.  

Our goal is to support as many families as possible. While we do our best to offer meaningful assistance, funding is limited, and we may not be able to award aid to every applicant. For this reason, we strongly encourage families to apply as early as possible. 

Admissions Timeline

Early Applicants:  

    • October-December: Child Visits & Family Tours 
    • November: Prospective Family Open House (optional)

  • December:

    • Early registration applications open 
    • Current family re-commitment period opens 
    • Prospective Family Open House (optional)

  • January:  

    • Early registration applications and current family recommitments are due by mid-January. Exact timing will be communicated to prospective families in the Fall
    • Early applicants are notified of their admissions status by late January/early February
    • Early applicant deposits to hold their spot in the program are due by late January/early February. These deposits are nonrefundable

Rolling Applicants:  

  • Registration opens to the public in early to mid-February if space is available in the program after early enrollment.

February-July:  

    • Child Visits & Family Tours 
    • Admissions notifications are given on a rolling basis, depending on availability.