Common Ground: A Collaborative Learning Initiative
Bowdoin College Children’s Center and Maine Early Childhood Outdoors Presents
Spring 2026 Workshop:
Designing outdoor, nature-based learning experiences that
foster belonging, equity, and healthy development for every child.
The Common Ground Partnership is a collaborative professional relationship between Maine Early Childhood Outdoors (MaineECO) and the Bowdoin College Children’s Center (BCCC) located in Brunswick Maine.
Rooted in belonging, this partnership advances nature-based learning that honors children’s identities, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. Through shared professional learning and reflective practice, educators work together to remove barriers to outdoor learning and intentionally create inclusive environments where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to belong in nature.
Workshop Series
All workshops are held in-person at the Bowdoin Children’s Center in Brunswick.
These workshops are grounded in developmental theory, equity-centered practice, and our ongoing work with outdoor, nature-based programs.
Drawing from observations of children’s social interactions in outdoor learning environments, the sessions are shaped by key questions that have emerged through prior professional dialogue. Participants will engage in reflective and collaborative inquiry to examine how intentionally designed outdoor experiences can support children’s sense of belonging, honor diverse identities and abilities, and align with what we know about child development.
Together, we will extend this shared learning to strengthen inclusive, responsive practice in outdoor settings.
Workshop 1:
Current experiences with Outdoor Nature Based play and inclusivity.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 5:45-7:30pm
This workshop provides participants with an opportunity to examine their experiences integrating inclusivity into curriculum and practice. Through guided reflection and discussion, participants will explore what is currently in place, identify moments of discomfort or tension, and consider what they wish they could more openly communicate with colleagues and families.
Workshop 2:
Deepening our understanding of inclusivity and its place in Outdoor Nature Based play.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 5:45-7:30pm
This session will establish a foundational framework for developing inclusive curriculum and for recognizing how opportunities for inclusion naturally emerge in outdoor learning environments. Participants will engage with resources that support inclusive practice outdoors and will explore a shift in observational stance—examining how we notice, interpret, and respond to children’s experiences in ways that deepen understanding of inclusivity in early childhood outdoor settings.
Workshop 3: Building Outdoor Nature Based Curriculum together with a focus on belonging.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 5:45-7:30pm
Developing outdoor, nature-based curriculum that intentionally addresses inclusivity related to race, gender, and ability can feel complex and challenging. While these opportunities are often more readily recognized in indoor settings, careful observation reveals that they also emerge organically outdoors. This session will share examples of inclusive outdoor, nature-based curriculum and practical strategies that support the full participation of all children, inviting participants to reflect, discuss, and apply these approaches within their own contexts.
Workshop 4: A leadership perspective in shifting a focus and bringing change to the team.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 5:45-7:30pm
This session explores how program leaders can intentionally build, model, and advocate for inclusivity as a core component of curriculum and practice. Participants will examine strategies for engaging staff and families in meaningful dialogue—including navigating difficult conversations, elevating thoughtful ideas, and celebrating moments of joy—as the outdoor curriculum evolves to center belonging, representation, and each child’s place within their community.
Participation Stipends:
MaineECO values the content of these workshops and would like as many teachers to participate as possible.
We recognize that compensation, travel and childcare costs can be barriers to our early childhood professionals attending evening training sessions.
Available stipends are listed below and stipend forms will be available at the training sessions. Anyone is able to receive the stipend, no eligibility requirements are required.
A current W9 will be required to receive a stipend. These stipends are made possible with generous funding and in kind support from Quimby Family Foundation and Bowdoin College Children’s Center.
Available Stipends:
Participation Stipend: $50 per session attended
Travel & Childcare Stipend: up to $100 per session
Registration
It is recommended for participants to attend the entire series to gain the full scope of content and the most reflective experience but it is not required.
Participants can attend any combination of sessions that they choose.
Registration is free and done by filling out the form, linked below.