Students take in the view during outdoor free play. Photo: Nicole Blount
By Nicole Blount, Sanford School Department Communications Coordinator
During the week of Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, Sanford Middle School seventh graders took their learning outside the classroom to Saco for a field trip to The Ecology School at River Bend Farm. Students spent three days participating in hands-on, collaborative lessons focused on environmental stewardship and conservation at the school’s sustainable and unique outdoor campus.
Abutting the Saco River, the school’s sustainability practices are directly tied to their mission, according to President and CEO Drew Dumsch, “Our goal is that every kid in the state will get to spend time outdoors,” he said. The school teaches students that sustainability is not only a goal for the future but something they can practice now.
Students participated in daily outdoor lessons. On Thursday, one group focused on food systems and waste reduction, learning how their food gets from farm to table on their way to test soil in the facility’s compost area. Some of the food that students ate during the week was grown on campus, helping this lesson come full circle.
Ruby, a first-time educator at The Ecology School, noticed students embracing the home-grown ingredients and nutritious meals, observing some saying, “I’ve never felt this full before,” or “I’ve never eaten this healthy before.” SMS students Makenzie Buzzell, Logan Michaud, and Ava Gosselin also praised the food. Daily discussions of the “waste-o-meter,” which tracked food waste during meals, encouraged students to be more mindful of what they put on their plates and what they throw out.
Collaboration and responsibility were reinforced during family-style meals where students took turns setting up and cleaning up in pursuit of the illustrious Golden Spatula, an award given to the table whose students most effectively worked together.
Diana Allen, an SMS life and environmental science teacher, saw these meals serve as a conduit for student connection. Some, initially disappointed about not sitting with their best friends, later happily shared about the new friendships they made. Student Benjamin Hoctor, agreed, saying, “Not only were the lessons fun and interactive, but we all learned to socialize a little more.”
SMS staff hope students will bring these habits and attitudes back to school, creating a community-minded culture and integrating their hands-on knowledge.
Allen said the trips are meaningful to students and families. At a pre-trip parent meeting, one parent shared that her child had been looking forward to visiting The Ecology School since sixth grade. Several students from the previous year’s trip enjoyed the experience enough to return for summer camp.
One student, Grant Payeur, gave a bit of insight into what makes students enjoy the trips so much. “Once I got there, they made me feel at home – the food, dorms and the lessons were all good in their own way!”
This opportunity was possible through funding from Maine Outdoor School For All, the Libra Foundation, The Ecology School, Tom’s of Maine, and local donors.
The Sanford School Department expressed gratitude to the Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation for garnering support for this year’s trip, along with Eldredge Lumber, the Gerard and Gertrude Genest Gift Fund, Kristen & Mary Ross Estate, Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club, Sanford Alumni Association, Lawrence Furbish, Barbara Sutcliffe, Miroslaw Baldyga, Barbara Ferraro, and Karen MacDonald.
Some donors visited The Ecology School to witness their support take form firsthand. Steve and Laurel Harrison attended Thursday’s lunch-and-learn on behalf of the Sanford-Springvale Rotary club. The couple, whose passion for environmental conservation coupled with their experiences working in education, found this trip especially meaningful. Laurel described the students as “articulate and friendly kids,” adding that their behavior “speaks well of the school.”
One student, Blake, thanked them for their involvement and chatted about his experience at The Ecology School. “This is something else,” he told them with a grin.
Alex Grindle, director of programs and rentals, highlighted the students’ willingness to participate and praised the commitment of SMS staff who chaperoned and supported students throughout the week, saying they all “represented the community so well.”
For Sanford Middle School seventh graders, the trip offered more than outdoor learning. It was an opportunity to build a sense of shared responsibility for the world around them, take ownership of their learning, and make meaningful connections between their education and the world beyond the classroom. The hope is that students will carry those experiences back to school and continue developing as thoughtful and responsible members of their community, supported in their strengths and interests and empowered to drive positive change in the world around them.
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