This year, 19 students ranging from 2nd through 6th grade, representing four different schools, are experiencing an unforgettable week of outdoor learning at The Ecology School at River Bend Farm in Saco, Maine.
Located along the beautiful Saco River, River Bend Farm provides the perfect setting for hands-on learning. The campus includes forests, streams, the Saco River, a working farm and orchard, and acres of trails for students to explore.
During their five-day experience, students participate in three ecology and nature lessons each day, along with two recreation periods. Learning is active and hands-on, with students spending much of their time outdoors exploring the property and discovering how living things interact with their environment.
Every lesson begins with a skit or drama performance that introduces the day's topic. Students then head outside in small groups of approximately 9–10 students with their educators to experience the lesson firsthand. Rather than simply reading about ecology, students get to see, touch, observe, investigate, and experience it for themselves.
Two favorite lessons each year are Nature at Night and Tidepools. During Nature at Night, students venture into the forest in the evening to learn about nocturnal animals and the adaptations that help them survive after dark. For the Tidepools lesson, students travel to the coast and explore tidepools while discovering the fascinating creatures that call them home.
Learning continues even after the lessons are finished. Students stay in dorms and enjoy fresh, made-from-scratch meals in the dining hall. Many of the ingredients are grown right on the farm, while other foods are sourced from nearby farms and businesses. Even the bread is baked right on site!
Meals are also part of the learning experience. Students eat family style, take turns helping with serving and clean-up, compost and recycle, and track food waste. Educators even perform musical parodies that incorporate ecology lessons, turning mealtime into another opportunity to learn.
One of the most valuable parts of the experience is the opportunity for students to build independence and confidence. Being away from home, working cooperatively with others, caring for their living spaces, participating in outdoor challenges, and taking responsibility for daily tasks all help students grow in ways that extend far beyond academics.
Students also share the campus with other schools from around the country, giving them the opportunity to make new friends and learn alongside students from different communities and backgrounds.
This year marks the third year that Liberty students have participated in The Ecology School experience. For some students, this trip is especially meaningful because they are returning for their second or even third time.
From exploring forests and tidepools to learning around the dinner table, Liberty students are discovering that some of the best classrooms don't have four walls. Their week at River Bend Farm is creating memories, building friendships, developing confidence, and inspiring a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
At Liberty Elementary, learning truly goes wherever our Eagles are ready to explore!