Getting more Maine kids outside is the focus of new legislation

Lawmakers are considering a new bill to increase opportunities for kids in grades 4-8 to tap into the beauty and learning opportunities of the Maine outdoors. Advocates of the program say only 25% of Maine students get these types of experiences now. They are backing a bill to set up a statewide program to ensure three-day, two-night learning adventures for all. “Students in Maine are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such vast natural landscapes, however many do not get the chance to really take advantage of our environment,” Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford) told members of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee on Thursday. His bill, LD 895, is similar to one that passed last session with broad bipartisan support. But it never got funded, so he brought back a new bill that sets up a framework for the program without needing any funding.