Days made for wandering.
A rhythm, not a rigid schedule — with room to linger when something wonderful is happening.
The shape of a day.
Our days follow the same reliable rhythm, so children always know what comes next — while leaving room for the frog that must be watched or the fort that must be finished.
"I am kind. I am brave. I am curious. I can do hard things. I belong here." — our morning affirmation
And you're along for all of it.
Through the Brightwheel family app, photos and updates arrive throughout the day as it unfolds — the frog they found, the fort they finished, the brave first try. You'll often know the day's best story before pickup.
The world is our classroom.
At least twice every week, we load up and head out. Our little explorers — in their yellow vests and red caps — have waded the Cathance River, tide-pooled at Reid State Park, hiked Dodge Point, ridden a schooner, met the bees at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, pet lambs at local farms, and pressed their noses to aquarium glass.
Field trips aren't a break from the curriculum — they extend it. We investigate something at school, we encounter it in the real world, and we return with new questions. When we study tide pools in books on Monday, we find real sea stars by Thursday.
Children travel in our 15-passenger Ford Econoline, with every child in their own car seat strapped into the seats — the little bus is half the adventure.
Every season is an invitation.
We are outdoors in all seasons — autumn leaf forts, first-snow tracking expeditions, mud-season puddle science, and long golden summer days at the water. Children dressed for the weather thrive in it; we help families get the gear right, and we don't close on snow days.
The school year runs September through June, with holidays and vacations following the Wiscasset school district calendar — though unlike the district, we don’t close for snow. Summer continues with our nature camp, running from the last day of school straight through to the first day of the new school year.
Ready to wander with us?
The best way to understand Dr. Dodge's is to walk the trails, step inside the dome, and picture your child here. Tours are offered to prospective families as part of our admissions process.
To schedule, email contact@ddnatureschool.com — we’ll find a time for you and your child to visit together.