Ritual

I know we're all focused on those big kids heading back to school, but if you've got younger Littles at home - check this out!

Drop your kiddo off with us for two hours every Thursday morning... they'll spend their time playing with new friends, engaged in exploration, and you can do WHATEVER. YOU. WANT. 😉

7 Week Mini Session: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17715772&appointmentType=36478421

Hey neighbors!

Did you find your registration coupon in your race packet??

Enter LETSPLAY! at checkout and save $10 on any Fall programming.

We have a few spots in our newly added Fall programming including music lab with the magical Stephanie Hayward Davis and drop off preschool Art + STEAM labs.

Roots Learning Studio Schedule your appointment online Roots Learning Studio

Usually we're supporting local causes, but here we are - hoping you all will lend us a helping hand.

Starting a new program has so many costs - especially when you tend to dream as big as we do! We've been pouring our energy and heart into creating programming that provides meaningful connection to place for Families in our community with a hope of inspiring a future generation of Naturalists and Explorers along with providing a much needed space for grounding and connection after a challenging season for many Families.

Buy a t-shirt, tank, or sweatshirt - they're super cute, rep our heart centered, purpose driven OUTDOOR PROGRAMMING, and help us raise funds for quality gear and transportation so that we can continue this work for many years to come!

Don't need a shirt for yourself, or your Little? Then give us a like or share with a friend who might. Your support is eternally appreciated.

Connecting Families with the Outdoors | Bonfire By purchasing you're helping to eliminate common barriers to outdoor exploration.. We are raising funds to support the purchase of quality outdoor gear and reliable program...

Hello! If you aren't already, please give our new page Roots Early Childhood Education a follow. We will be moving all content and communication for both our Learning Studio (2 Scott Dyer Rd.) and Roots at Ledgemere (Preschool + Microschool - 243 Mitchell Rd.) to that platform. Looking forward to growing alongside your children in the upcoming year! - Jackie + Tess

Meet KELSIE, our new Coordinator of Outdoor Education!

Kelsie Steil has been an outdoor professional since 2015 and a lover of nature her whole life. She attended Plymouth State University in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Adventure Education and a minor in Dance. For her senior capstone, she worked at EChO, an adaptive adventure program serving youth with neurological impairments, behavioral difficulties, emotional disabilities, and developmental disabilities.

What brought Kelsie to Maine was a stellar organization called Rippleffect, an outdoor educational organization set in Casco Bay, where she has worked seasonally as a guide since 2016. Navigating the coast of Maine and connecting children to it’s wilderness gave her the opportunity to hone in on her skills as an outdoor educator and leader. Through the pandemic she worked at Presumpscot Elementary School as a classroom teacher for Kindergarten and 4th grade. There, she developed more traditional classroom facilitation skills and was able to incorporate her expertise on experiential learning.

Kelsie is very passionate about outdoor living and the empowerment it brings; she goes camping year round. She also is active in Maine’s creative community, dancing professionally and working as a choreographer for both youth groups and adults. In addition, she works as a certified Pilates instructor. With her Pilates background she can offer insight on connecting to our breath and calming our bodies in a classroom setting.

Kelsie is excited to bring to your children the power of intentional connection to the self, to others and to nature. She combines the elements of knowledge-building, creativity and self-reliance in her outdoor educational curriculum.

We are so thrilled to have Kelsie on board! Curious what we have going on? Have a look: https://rootsatledgemere.com/outdoor-education

As we move fully into our role as your favorite play inspired learning studio, we are looking to grow our close knit team of people committed to inspiring the children and families of our community.

EARLY CHILDHOOD
We are looking for passionate early childhood educators to join our team of loving teachers. Roots innovative, nimble, and here to meet the needs of our community. If you find joy in the process and thrive in a dynamic environment - you might just be the right fit! Bonus points for those applicants with a background in Reggio / Montessori / Place Based education.

Lead Teacher (In-Studio | 12 to 15 hours Part Time Position)

Assistant Teacher (In-Studio | 12 to 15 hours - Part Time Position)

Sandra Boynton is a favorite for a reason!

Move forward with joy.

Risky Play - how do you feel about it?

💚❤💚

NATURE CLUB
WEDNESDAYS FROM 9:00AM TO 10:15AM
(CAREGIVER + CHILD)

Created for our youngest KIND adventurers (ages 18 months – 3.5 years) to attend alongside a parent, a grandparent, or a caregiver.

Being in nature encourages healthy minds and bodies. Research shows that regular interaction with nature creates a greater sense of happiness, overall physical health, and well being. Being outdoors not only provides children with fresh air, but it encourages imaginative play, creativity, hand-eye coordination, balance, physical strength and mental clarity. Our goal is to increase awareness of, and connection to, the natural world in order to foster compassion and empathy for the earth and all its inhabitants.

DURING OUR TIME, YOUR CHILD WILL:

BE IMMERSED IN NATURE WITH A SMALL GROUP OF MULTIAGE PEERS
ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH THEIR ENVIRONMENT
INTEGRATE ART, MUSIC, AND DRAMA WITH SCIENCE
BUILD SHELTERS / HIDEOUTS IN THE FOREST
MAKE FOREST DECORATIONS
LEARN THE NAMES OF MANY NATIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS
DEVELOP EARTH-FRIENDLY HABITS
GET DIRTY!​

Each week will feature a welcome song, followed by forest exploration, an art/sensory-based activity, and a story. Caregivers and children should come dressed ready for whatever the weather and prepared for mess! While your little one engages with the natural world, you will connect with other like-minded adults, learn some catchy songs, and perhaps a few new flora & fauna facts.

Fall Semester Registration:
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17715772&appointmentType=23773141

Please note: We encourage enrolling if interested. Registration is limited and based on significant initial interest we anticipate this program filling quickly..

Maybe you’ve heard or read the phrase “risky play” on our website or in posts we share and wondered just why we were talking about...

Here’s a well researched article from a Forest School in Massachusetts that we’d highly recommend reading when you have a moment.

What is Risky Play, and why is it important? — Forest Folk Read more about how parents, educators, and caregivers can support risky play and outdoor play at home and school.

20 minutes to shift your thinking. This was thought provoking when I first saw it several years ago, but it resonates even more so now after the last year.

A poignant moment: "We have to be careful now that we use this gift wisely and that we avert some of the scenarios that we’ve talked about. And the only way we’ll do it is by seeing our creative capacities for the richness they are and seeing our children for the hope that they are. And our task is to educate their whole being, so they can face this future. By the way — we may not see this future, but they will. And our job is to help them make something of it."

www.ted.com