Our Vision
We bring the estuary alive for every child in the KELT region.
As a land trust, we work hard to protect our home for future generations. You’ll find education is written right into our mission: to conserve, restore, and instill appreciation of the land and water resources of the Kennebec Estuary.
KELT education takes that crucial next step and connects our next generation to the rich natural environment in their backyards, school grounds, community garden, and local trails.
Experiential Education
We offer experiential programming in the classroom, and bring students outside for hands-on learning.
We partner with local schools and community organizations to connect students to the wonders of the Kennebec Estuary. By the time they are in 8th grade, they have experienced the beauty of their local trails, local watershed, and best of Maine coastline – and learned how to protect it.
Our Teaching Philosophy
We believe all students are natural scientists! We strive to create a safe and inclusive learning environment that responds dynamically to student needs. And most of all - we’re committed to having fun alongside you!
When you come outside on a KELT education field trip, expect to get your hands dirty, your boots full of mud, and your brain full of questions about what fascinating creatures live in the land and water around us.
Our Core Curriculum
1st grade: Garden Planting LOCAL Garden (spring)
2nd grade: Garden Harvest LOCAL Garden (fall)
3rd grade: Vernal Pools/Pond Explore Outdoor at your school/KELT Preserve (spring)
4th grade: SALTY Series In Classroom series at your school. Includes 2 dissections! (winter)
5th grade: Salamander Monitoring and Climate Change KELT Preserve (spring or fall)
6th grade: Salt Marshes Save the Coast - Climate Change Outdoor at your school (spring)
7th grade: What’s in the Water: Clams, Tidepools, Green Crabs Reid State Park (fall)
8th grade: Connection and Reflection at Morse Mountain Shortridge and Morse Mountain (fall)
Special education experiences we love to offer: clam dissection, squid dissection, tidepooling, clamming, field trips to KELT preserves, garden harvest and planting, stewardship and trail maintenance.
Opportunities for Young Learners
Parent and Baby in the Garden (summer)
Southern Maine Forest Playgroup (monthly, all year)
Storybook Trails on KELT Preserves (monthly, all year)
KELT Kids Summer Day Camp (summer)
… and of course, kids are welcome at all of our public events out on the trail!
Venues
KELT educators are happy to join you inside your classroom, or even better - outside school walls!
We can host field trips to our local preserves, and have a close relationship with some pretty magical teaching spaces - Reid State Park and Popham Beach State Park are frequent outings.
Ready to organize a KELT education experience?
Our Partners
In School Programs: Dike Newell and Fisher Mitchell (Bath K-5), Woolwich Central School (K-5), Phippsburg Elementary (K-5), West Bath Elementary* (K-5), Georgetown Elementary (K-5), Bath Middle School (6-8), Morse High School (9-12)
Community Programs: Patten Free Library (Bath), Bath YMCA Preschool, Chewonki Semester and Waypoint, Morse High School, Elmhurst, Midcoast Youth Center