Lake Region Kids Calendar began as a way to gather and share all the amazing family-friendly events happening in the Sebago Lake region. But before that, I was a stay-at-home mom searching for something that felt missing in our days: time outside with community.

About a year ago, I launched a weekly nature playgroup—a simple idea born out of my own desire for consistent outdoor time and connection. I had seen the positive effects of fresh air and unstructured exploration on both myself and my kids. But when we tried going to playgrounds during what should have been busy times—late mornings, after school—we often found ourselves alone.

With a small circle of local stay-at-home parents and no luck at busy playgrounds, I created a Facebook group and invited a few friends. They invited their friends. I shared to a couple community pages. And slowly, the group began to grow—not through big promotions, but by word of mouth.

At first, winter turnout was small. But when I launched Lake Region Kids Calendar, it felt natural to quietly include the playgroup on the calendar—without sharing our exact times and meeting spots publicly. That info remains exclusive to group members, helping us maintain a safe and consistent rhythm.

Over time, something beautiful happened:
The playgroup and the calendar became two sides of the same mission—connecting local families to each other, to small businesses, and to the outdoors.

This summer, I’ve been hosting 2–3 outdoor meetups each week—from casual trail walks and balance bike rides to open-ended forest play. And I’m thrilled to now be partnering with Loon Echo Land Trust to co-host monthly gatherings on their preserves. These special days give me the chance to simply show up as a mom, while letting a knowledgeable guide lead the group through a beautiful slice of Maine’s landscape.

So yes—some of the events on the calendar are ones I host myself. If you’re curious about joining us, I’d love to have you! Nature playgroup info can be found here, or feel free to reach out directly.

Together, we’re creating a slower, more connected way to spend time with our kids—and there’s always room for one more family.

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