At Ketcha Outdoors, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to explore, play, and grow in the natural world. For more than 60 years, our programs have been rooted in a simple but powerful idea: access to the outdoors changes lives.
The outdoors is more than a backdrop; it’s a teacher, a healer, and a community-builder. When children step onto a trail, when families share a campfire, or when a new Mainer learns to ride a bike, something transformative happens. Barriers break down, confidence grows, and connections are made that last a lifetime.
This is why we exist.
Our Roots
Ketcha began as a summer camp on the coast of Scarborough, a place where kids could unplug, run through the woods, and discover who they were in a supportive environment. Over the decades, camp remained at our core, but our vision expanded as we saw more clearly the role access plays in shaping opportunity.
Today, Ketcha Outdoors is a year-round nonprofit serving thousands of Mainers. Our work stretches across programs like:
- Farm & Forest Preschool – where nature is the classroom, and curiosity drives learning.
- Traditional & Specialty Camps – offering everything from outdoor adventures to creative exploration, always with financial aid to ensure no child is left behind.
- Portland Gear Hub – a nonprofit bike and outdoor gear shop making equipment affordable, sustainable, and accessible.
- Bikes for All Mainers – empowering individuals, including many new Mainers, with bicycles, helmets, and safety training to open up new possibilities for work, school, and independence.
These programs may look different, but they’re all connected by one mission: creating equitable access to the outdoors.
Why Access Matters
Too often, access to the outdoors depends on privilege. The costs of gear, transportation, or tuition can quietly close doors for families who want their kids to experience the same joy and freedom many of us took for granted growing up.
We exist to change that.
- Financial aid and scholarships mean a child can attend camp even if their family is struggling.
- The Portland Gear Hub helps families get affordable bikes, skis, and outdoor gear, keeping thousands of pounds of equipment out of landfills each year.
- Community bike programs not only provide transportation but also build confidence, independence, and connection for people who are new to Maine.
When barriers are removed, the results are extraordinary: kids become more resilient, families bond over shared experiences, and communities grow stronger. The outdoors doesn’t just provide recreation — it builds well-being and opportunity.
Powered by Community
Ketcha Outdoors doesn’t do this work alone. We’re powered by families, volunteers, staff, donors, and partners who believe in the same vision: that the outdoors should be for everyone.
Because of this community, our trails echo with laughter, our preschoolers grow into curious learners, and our campers return summer after summer ready to take on new challenges. Because of this community, adults who never thought they’d ride a bike are now pedaling to work or school with pride.
Every success story we see — every smile, every milestone — is made possible by people who share in this mission.
Looking Ahead
Our vision is bold: a Maine where every child and family has access to the outdoors and the resources they need to thrive. That means:
- Expanding opportunities for scholarships and financial aid.
- Growing programs like Bikes for All Mainers to reach more communities.
- Continuing to invest in sustainable, community-driven approaches that keep outdoor spaces and gear accessible for the next generation.
The world is changing quickly — but one thing remains constant: the outdoors will always be a place where people find connection, resilience, and joy. At Ketcha Outdoors, we are committed to making sure no one is left on the outside looking in.
Join Us
We want you to be part of this story. The best way to stay connected with us is to join our email list. You’ll get updates on what we’re doing, stories of impact from our community, and ways you can help make the outdoors accessible to all.
Together, we can ensure that every child, every family, and every Mainer has the chance to step outside and experience the power of nature.
