ABOUT US

Our Philosophy

At Maine Outdoor Kids, we believe childhood is meant to be adventurous.

Children thrive when they have the freedom to explore, take healthy risks, solve problems, build meaningful relationships, and spend time immersed in nature. We create outdoor experiences where kids discover what they're capable of—not by being told, but by doing. Along the way, they experience the outdoors with all of their senses—splashing through streams, balancing on logs, listening to birdsong, feeling the changing seasons, and developing a deeper connection to the natural world.

Our programs are intentionally small, relationship-based, and 100% outdoors. Whether we're riding bikes, building in the snow, hiking, paddling, or simply following a child's curiosity through the woods, our experienced educators create an environment where every child feels supported, included, and encouraged to grow.

Nature is our classroom, but personal growth is our purpose. Through meaningful experiences outside, children build confidence, resilience, independence, and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and the community around them.

Our Story

Maine Outdoor Kids began long before it became an organization.

In 2014, founder Effie started what friends affectionately called "Effie Camp"—a small adventure-based summer nanny share created to meet the childcare needs of several local families. Days were spent exploring forests, climbing rocks, splashing through streams, riding bikes, and discovering the outdoors together.

What started as a practical solution quickly became something more. Time and again, Effie watched children grow into more confident, curious, and capable versions of themselves simply by spending their days immersed in nature. As families experienced those same transformations, a larger vision began to take shape. In 2021, with encouragement from the community and a growing need for high-quality outdoor youth programming in southern Maine, Maine Outdoor Kids was born.

Today, that original spirit remains at the heart of everything we do. Through year-round programs, we create meaningful experiences that inspire confidence, resilience, connection, and a lifelong love of the outdoors. By keeping groups small and relationships at the center of our work, we're able to meet each child where they are and support them as they grow.

We believe the best learning happens outside—and that some of childhood's most meaningful moments begin with the freedom to explore.

Have Questions? Check out our FAQ page.

OUR TEAM

Effie (she/her)

Managing Director

At MOK can be found: Leading after-school, mountain bike, and summer camp programs while overseeing operations, supporting the team, and keeping the organization running smoothly behind the scenes.
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Hiking or running in the mountains, canoeing and mountain biking.
Experience: Effie has two decades of experience working with children in a variety of settings including nannying, adventure camps, outdoor education and coaching sports prior to MOK. She has also worked as a writer for outdoor publications.
Adventure Accomplishments: Effie has logged thousands of miles on trails and waterways through long-distance hiking, bikepacking, paddling, and endurance running. Highlights include completing the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, along with numerous multi-day expeditions and ultramarathons.
Professional Accomplishments: Wilderness First Responder, CPR Certified, Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, PMBI Level 1 Mountain Bike Instructor.
After work can be found: Creating new recipes in the kitchen, exploring local trails, and spending quality time with her family.

Molly (she/her)

Outdoor Experience Coordinator, Program Leader

At MOK can be found: Outdoor educator at after school, pop-up and summer camp programs, supporting program development and coordinating operations related to the the day-to-day program experience
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Surfing, running on trails, backpacking, tide-pooling and mountain biking.
Experience: Molly has over 10 years of experience working with kids. From babysitting to running a surf camp in California, she loves helping kids fall in love with the outdoors. She joined Maine Outdoor Kids in Fall 2024.
Adventure Accomplishments: Molly has backpacked through Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and the US, including notable peaks in Colorado (14ers) and the Adirondacks. Most recently she has been loving running and hiking in the Whites.
Professional Accomplishments: Wilderness First Responder, Red Cross Basic and Waterfront Lifeguarding, Bachelors in Social Work, Director of Environmental Education at Youth Education Services Cal-Poly Humboldt 2020-2023, Director of Pillar Point Surf Camp 2017-2024.
After work can be found: At the beach, reading on the porch or exploring a new trail.

Emma (she/her)

Program Leader

At MOK can be found: Leading outdoor education programs like after-school and summer camps, and keeping communications running smoothly behind the scenes.
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Skiing across the Northeast, swimming in the ocean, hiking, kayaking, and finding new camping spots.
Experience: Emma has experience working as an environmental camp counselor, ski instructor, and outdoor educator. She studied biology and conducted environmental-based research for four years in college. She joined Maine Outdoor Kids in the Fall of 2025.
Adventure Accomplishments: Emma has skied at over 10 mountains in Maine and New Hampshire and camped at various locations along the East Coast. She has traveled to The Great Barrier Reef and the Swiss Alps, and plans to continue to explore.
Professional Accomplishments: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology & Anthropology, Wilderness First Aid & CPR Certified.
After work can be found: Exploring new nature spots, making art, jumping in the ocean, planning a road trip, or practicing indoor rock climbing.

Anya (she/her)

Outdoor Instructor

At MOK can be found: Outdoor educator at after school, pop-up and summer programs.
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Backpacking, rock climbing, and surfing
Experience: Anya has experience working as a youth rock-climbing coach and nature-based education. She studied Sustainable Food and Farming and Urban Planning for four years in college, and joined Maine Outdoor Kids in the Fall of 2025.
Adventure Accomplishments: Anya has over 3,000 miles of long-distance hiking under her belt, having recently through-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. She has paddled the length of the Connecticut River and completed sport climbs all over New England.
Professional Accomplishments: Wilderness First Aid, Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Food and Farming.
After work can be found: Rock climbing, trail running, surfing, reading, lying in a hammock, and cooking good food.

Hillary (she/her)

Occupational Therapy Specialist

At MOK can be found: Outdoor Playgroup Program Leader
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Skiing, camping, hiking, and exploring nature with her children in all seasons.
Experience: Hillary brings over 15 years experience working with children in various
settings. Hillary began her career teaching in a variety of pre-k classrooms, and began practicing Occupational Therapy in 2019, including experience in Pediatric inpatient/outpatient, school based, and Early Intervention settings. Hillary joined Maine Outdoor Kids in Spring 2026.
Adventure Accomplishments: Hillary's love for the outdoors began at Gould Academy, where year-round experiential outdoor learning shaped her passion for adventure. She later circumnavigated the globe during a Semester at Sea while studying child development.
Professional Accomplishments: Hillary holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development andFamily Relations, with a Minor in Studio Art. She currently practices as a Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L), with a career focus in Pediatrics. First Aid & CPR Certified.
After work can be found: Playing in the mud, snow, sand, and sun with her children, traveling to islands in Casco Bay for both work and play, and upgrading her home mud kitchen with thrifted finds.

Mae (she/her)

Outdoor Instructor

At MOK can be found: Outdoor educator at summer camps programs.
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Hiking, swimming, playing soccer, and reading under a shady tree.
Experience: Mae has been working with children and educating outdoors for over 5 years in public school, after school, and summer camp settings. While studying the environment in college, and working in numerous farming and outdoor positions, Mae has gained a love for being outside that she can’t wait to share with kids. Mae joined Maine Outdoor Kids in summer 2026.
Adventure Accomplishments: Mae has road tripped across the country, hiked many of Vermont’s tallest peaks, spent a fall camping in Vermont’s forest with a conservation corps team, and hiked throughout the Torres Del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia.
Professional Accomplishments: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Spanish, Wilderness First Aid & CPR Certified.
After work can be found: Swimming, going for a bike ride, reading a book and getting ice cream.

Zoe (she/her)

Outdoor Instructor

At MOK can be found: Outdoor educator at summer camp programs.
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Running on trails, hiking with her dog, and laying on the beach
Experience: Zoe has over 10 years of experience working with kids from Camp Jabberwocky on Martha’s Vineyard to public schools in Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves helping kids build confidence and express themselves.
Adventure Accomplishments: While living out west, Zoe did solo backpacking trips in the Wind River range with her pup Sunny and podiumed at the Escalante Canyons marathon.
Professional Accomplishments: American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certified, Masters Degree in Fine Arts from NYU and is currently finishing her first novel.
After work can be found: Writing, swimming, and grilling

Alessa (she/her)

Behavioral Health Consultant

At MOK can be found: Providing expertise to the team as they make plans to accommodate kids who need extra support.
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Mountain biking, snowboarding, running, hiking, and surfing.
Experience: Alessa volunteers with adaptive rock climbing, biking, and surfing, has worked over 7 years as a Special Education Teacher, 2 years as Extended School Year Director, and as an inclusive summer camp counselor.
Adventure Accomplishments: Alessa has climbed Katahdin 3 times, holds two black belts in martial arts, has mountain biked over 500 miles throughout Maine, and gone white water rafting in Wyoming.
Professional Accomplishments: Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis, Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. Alessa works as the Program Director for the Maine Adaptive Outdoor Education Center.
After work can be found: Adventuring with her dog Max, biking or running local trails, or working on the latest house project.

FAQs

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

ABOUT US

Our Philosophy

Our Story

OUR TEAM