{"data":{"id":"us-me/12-m.r.s.-5303","jurisdiction":"us-me","citation":"12 M.R.S. §5303","heading":"Outdoor education program provider requirements","body":"This section governs the requirements for outdoor education program providers.\n1.  Program curricula.  The program must:\nA.  Use the outdoors and local ecosystems as the primary context to support hands-on learning, including lessons, meals and on-site living;\nB.  Engage students in safe and age-appropriate activities;\nC.  Focus on the State's outdoor heritage, science, engineering, technology, mathematics, health, environment and natural resources and sustainability by including a strong academic component that supports overall academic achievement and career trajectories and connects science with other subjects to support students' understanding of:\n(1)  Conserving and developing marine and estuarine resources;\n(2)  Conducting scientific research;\n(3)  Promoting the State's coastal fishing industries;\n(4)  Protecting and managing fish, game and other wildlife and their habitats, including restoring endangered species;\n(5)  Promoting agriculture, conservation, forestry, land management and the well-being of domestic animals;\n(6)  Safely enjoying the outdoors; and\n(7)  Promoting public health;\nD.  Develop students' social and emotional skills, including teamwork, citizenship, self-awareness and community responsibility;\nE.  Support students' health and wellness by developing an appreciation for education and recreation in the outdoors;\nF.  Encourage hands-on engagement, observation, discovery, intellectual curiosity and problem-solving; and\nG.  Support students and teachers to combat the learning loss associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.\n2.  Program structure.  An outdoor education program provider shall:\nA.  Comply with the requirements of chapter 927 regarding licensed guides, youth camp trip leaders or educational trip leaders, as appropriate.\nB.  Provide outdoor programs for a 2-night, 3-day experience or day programs when overnight programs are impractical due to health or cultural considerations;\nC.  Pursue a sustainable funding model;\nD.  Collaborate with schools and teachers to provide access to the program;\nE.  Pledge to provide equitable access to the program to all students;\nF.  Train educators in educational strategies and field work;\nG.  Develop and participate in an evaluation program in accordance with section 5305; and\nH.  Promote high levels of accessibility for students with disabilities.","path":["TITLE 12: CONSERVATION","PART 8: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY","CHAPTER 433: IMMERSIVE OUTDOOR EDUCATION"],"source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/12/title12sec5303.html","current_through":"October 1, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:25Z","sha256":"b978c21a4382419bfc527460a05086cae4005b7ce31b2f1e15c260c9f1f85698","source_id":"us-me","stale":false,"prev":"us-me/12-m.r.s.-5302","next":"us-me/12-m.r.s.-5304"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}