Extraordinary Outdoors

Extraordinary Outdoors is a new outdoors program in Maine, emphasizing in helping Extraordinary Children (special needs) and their families connect with nature.

Ashley Berard grew up in the great outdoors. Starting out as a young child, nature based play was where she learned to let her imagination and creativity fly. During her young adulthood years, she spent countless hours traveling through wooded areas, fishing brooks, rivers and lakes, and looking for animal sign. Camping was a common family occurrence growing up. And hiking and hunting became staples in her outdoor life.

When Ashley gave birth to her daughter Mia in 2006, she started sharing her love of the outdoors with her daughter, carrying her snugly against her chest in a sling, experiencing their first of many outdoor moments together. Mia is now six years old, and is fully engaged in any outdoor activity. She enjoys hikes with her mother, camping, fishing, and going along for a bird hunt. She also enjoys just sitting, taking in the sounds of the forest, the sights of small animals and birds scurrying about, and listening to mom make turkey, owl, and other animal calls.

Being an outdoors woman was a lifestyle and a tradition that Ashley simply wanted to pass down to Mia. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that Ashley realized what an impact their time in nature has had on Mia's development. In the early years, she was slightly scoffed for taking an infant into the woods. Now though, as she recollects back to certain milestones that Mia has achieved while playing in nature, Ashley and others are seeing the benefits.

On the trail is where Mia really started to learn what a safe distance was from her mom. She became less distraught because of sensory overload, because in a natural setting, the senses are calmed. There are no loud cars, bright lights, roaring crowds. Only rustling leaves, babbling brooks, and textures abound. Being outdoors has created a sensory calming effect, allowing Mia to focus on mom's teachings, and her surroundings, without being distracted by the every day hustle and bustle.

Ashley has found that nature based play has been a big factor in Mia's progress and personality, and has helped her gain a sense of confidence and independence not otherwise accomplished in the pavement world. She would now like to share these opportunities and benefits with other children and families.

Benefits of Nature Based Play

Being outdoors promotes physical activity, which increases motor fitness (balance and agility), and helps increase muscle tone and physical endurance.

Studies suggest that just one hour of interaction with nature, can increase cognitive performance and attention spans by almost 20% (Michigan University study 2008) Granted, this study was done with adults, but the same benefits can be gained by children as well.

Nature based play increases sensory awareness, and decreases stress and anxiety.

Playing amongst nature inspires creativity.