Heather Bowen's pre-K students are trailblazers in more than one way. Every day, they blaze pathways to learning in their forest classroom. Meanwhile, the program at Camden-Rockport Elementary School also is the first nature-based, outdoor pre-kindergarten in a Maine public school.Â
Listen and Learn about the Trailblazers!
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![Preschooler looking into river](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-river-4.jpg?itok=XBKS_imB)
![Preschooler looking into river](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-river-4.jpg?itok=XBKS_imB)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of girl with binoculars up to her eyes](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-binoculars.jpg?itok=fg-X8sRx)
![Photo of girl with binoculars up to her eyes](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-binoculars.jpg?itok=fg-X8sRx)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of two children examining something in woods](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-examination.jpeg?itok=iHpGhy41)
![Photo of two children examining something in woods](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-examination.jpeg?itok=iHpGhy41)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of student's drawing of lichen](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-lichen.jpg?itok=h1ObZf9h)
![Photo of student's drawing of lichen](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-lichen.jpg?itok=h1ObZf9h)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of preschoolers sitting on log](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-log.jpg?itok=f1czTetb)
![Photo of preschoolers sitting on log](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-log.jpg?itok=f1czTetb)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of preschoolers on snow hike](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-snow-hike.jpg?itok=0U4ja6xV)
![Photo of preschoolers on snow hike](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-snow-hike.jpg?itok=0U4ja6xV)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of preschoolers at outdoor music station](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-music.jpg?itok=KqiiBR-W)
![Photo of preschoolers at outdoor music station](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-music.jpg?itok=KqiiBR-W)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of preschoolers at painting easels in woods](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-painting.jpg?itok=T8EWVQ24)
![Photo of preschoolers at painting easels in woods](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-painting.jpg?itok=T8EWVQ24)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of preschoolers looking into river](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-river.jpg?itok=CBrtug_J)
![Photo of preschoolers looking into river](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-river.jpg?itok=CBrtug_J)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of preschooler work](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-tasting.jpeg?itok=csvozu8A)
![Photo of preschooler work](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-tasting.jpeg?itok=csvozu8A)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of preschooler looking under log](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-under.jpg?itok=qroQO0uJ)
![Photo of preschooler looking under log](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-under.jpg?itok=qroQO0uJ)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of preschoolers stretched out on log](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-river-3.jpg?itok=-YTLZcFk)
![Photo of preschoolers stretched out on log](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-river-3.jpg?itok=-YTLZcFk)
Heather Bowen
![Preschooler in snow hole](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-snow-hole.jpg?itok=p5D4z5Sq)
![Preschooler in snow hole](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-snow-hole.jpg?itok=p5D4z5Sq)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of preschooler painting on snow](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-snow-painter.jpg?itok=sfza2lfR)
![Photo of preschooler painting on snow](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-snow-painter.jpg?itok=sfza2lfR)
![Photo of pulleys in woods](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/pulleys.jpg?itok=gQvi_4xI)
![Photo of pulleys in woods](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/pulleys.jpg?itok=gQvi_4xI)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of paint on snow](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/snow-paint-copy.jpg?itok=qpuv0jeB)
![Photo of paint on snow](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/snow-paint-copy.jpg?itok=qpuv0jeB)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of students examining footprints](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-footprints.jpg?itok=3YZ5M0iZ)
![Photo of students examining footprints](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-footprints.jpg?itok=3YZ5M0iZ)
Heather Bowen
![Photo of outstretched students looking into river](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-river-2.jpg?itok=hY6oZZoM)
![Photo of outstretched students looking into river](https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/styles/318wide/public/2023-12/outdoor-k-river-2.jpg?itok=hY6oZZoM)
Heather Bowen
Suggested Further Reading
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Penn State researchers have put together resources showing the benefits of nature-based learning. Just two hours a week makes a difference!
Penn State University
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The Children & Nature Network's research library curates peer-reviewed research that makes the case for connecting children with nature.
Children & Nature Network