The Ecology School in Saco, Maine, Announces Major New Partnership Designed to Attract Hundreds of Connecticut Families and Schools
A new scholarship fund will support as many as 500 students from Connecticut by 2023 to attend school-based and family overnight programs at The Ecology School in Maine
SACO, Maine, July 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Ecology School announced today that it has begun a new, fully-funded programming initiative for Connecticut schools and residents thanks to The Daniel E. Offutt III Connecticut Scholarship Fund, a gift from the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust. The Fund, which goes into effect immediately, is designed to serve as many as 100-200 participants in 2021 and will scale up to over 500 participants by 2023. The Ecology School's programs are overnight, environmental education-based experiences that focus on unplugged, outdoor exploration of nature. Programs are based at The Ecology School's newly opened 105-acre residential campus, River Bend Farm, located on the shores of the Saco River in southernmost Maine.
"This is an exciting day for The Ecology School as we share the news of a partnership that will bring large numbers of people of all ages, from the state of Connecticut to our beautiful riverfront campus in Maine," said The Ecology School President/CEO and co-founder Drew Dumsch. "Maine is a destination for millions of visitors from other states in the Northeast and around the country. This opportunity goes a long way toward opening new opportunities for schools, students, and families from Connecticut."
Dumsch continued: "The campus and staff at The Ecology School have the ability to transform the lives of participants through extraordinary programs that are both engaging and fun. We're excited to start doing this with hundreds of children and adults from Connecticut."
The Daniel E. Offutt III Connecticut Scholarship Fund is available to provide tuition and transportation support, based on demonstrated need, to The Ecology School's family and youth overnight summer camps and school-year overnight programs. Additionally, the funding will support the development of collaborative programs between The Ecology School and Connecticut-based nonprofits. The Trust previously provided $350,000 to support the Daniel E Offutt III Kitchen and Dining Hall at River Bend Farm where recipients of this scholarship will enjoy their meals.
"Dan was a renaissance man, farmer and investor who lived in Weston, Connecticut for over 30 years. Knowing that his legacy is helping so many students and schools from his home state is something that he would have wanted," says Dick Orenstein, Trustee of the Trust. "It's important that every young person from Connecticut has the chance to visit The Ecology School. By providing both tuition and travel support, this scholarship does that."
How to Learn More
School administrators, teachers, parents, and interested parties should contact The Ecology School's Director of Program, Alex Grindle, to learn more about opportunities available. Alex can be reached by calling (207) 283-9951 or emailing [email protected]
About The Ecology School
The Ecology School is a nonprofit education center that transforms how people think about nature and the environment. Through joyful, hands-on, experiential programming with a focus on living and learning together, students of all ages learn to become stewards of the environment as they explore local forests, coastal ecosystems, and food systems. Since 1998, The Ecology School has hosted more than 187,000 students and teachers from across the country, educating
Media Contact
Elizabeth Stothart, Betta Stothart Consulting, +1 2074000015, [email protected]
SOURCE The Ecology School
Share this article