Some of the most meaningful lessons in life are learned outside, on trails, fields, mountains, lakes and playgrounds.

It might be a child learning to ski for the first time under the lights at Titcomb Mountain. It might be a family walking a trail together after dinner, a group of students heading out for a school-based outdoor lesson, or a community gathering at a local festival, skating rink, ball field or race. Sometimes, the moment looks big. Sometimes, it looks rather ordinary. But often, these are the experiences that stay with us. They help people build confidence, discover new interests, form friendships and feel more connected to the places they call home.

At a recent WinterKids Community Partners Breakfast, one comment stood out: “Everything WinterKids does is 100% joy.” That joy matters. For children, outdoor play is not simply a way to burn energy. It is part of how they learn, grow, explore, take healthy risks and build resilience. Outdoor play gives kids a chance to try something new, fall down, get back up and discover that they are capable of more than they thought.

Research supports what many parents, teachers, coaches and community leaders already see. Regular physical activity helps children build stronger bodies, but it also supports brain health, memory, academic performance and emotional well-being. The benefits extend beyond childhood, too. When young people learn to enjoy movement, recreation and time outside, they are building habits that can support lifelong health.

Photo courtesy of Franklin Savings Bank

For adults, outdoor recreation can be just as important. A walk in the woods, a morning paddle, a day on the slopes, a bike ride, a fishing trip or time spent gardening can provide more than exercise. Time outside can help reduce stress, support mental health and create space to reset. It also brings people together. Trails, parks, mountains, lakes, athletic fields and community events become shared spaces where neighbors meet, families make memories and communities come to life.

Here in Maine, outdoor recreation is also part of who we are. It is tied to our economy, our tourism industry, our small businesses, our workforce and our quality of life. Maine’s outdoor recreation economy represents billions of dollars in economic activity and supports tens of thousands of jobs. From skiing and snowmobiling to fishing, boating, hiking, biking, camping, guiding, outdoor retail and community events, outdoor recreation helps sustain local businesses and strengthen the communities around them.

That is especially true in more rural areas, where outdoor spaces are often central to community identity. A local ski area is not only a place to ski. A trail system is not only a place to hike or ride. A ball field is not only a place to play. These places become gathering spaces, learning spaces and points of pride. They give residents a reason to participate, visitors a reason to return and young people a reason to feel rooted in their community.

At Franklin Savings Bank, we often talk about investing in the future of our communities. Supporting outdoor recreation is one way we do that. Since 2025 alone, the Bank has contributed more than $400,000 to programs, projects, and events that help people get outside, including youth sports, summer camps, trail stewardship, adaptive recreation, community festivals, school-based outdoor learning, and local outdoor spaces.

That support has included organizations and initiatives such as the Titcomb Mountain T-Bar campaign, Ellsworth Rotary Demeyer Field project, the University of Maine at Farmington’s Outdoor Recreation Hub of Excellence, Main Street Skowhegan and Skowhegan Outdoors events, Maine Appalachian Trail Club trail stewardship, Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation, Maine Huts & Trails, High Peaks Alliance, as well as numerous local ski clubs, youth athletic programs, playground projects and community festivals across the areas we serve.

These donations are not only about sponsoring an event or helping fund a project. They are about helping people access experiences that can shape how they see themselves, their families and their communities. A free ski night can be the first step into a lifelong relationship with the outdoors, giving a child the chance to learn to ski or a family the opportunity to try something new together. A youth sports team can give a child a place to belong, learn teamwork and build confidence. A trail stewardship program can protect the places people return to year after year, ensuring that access is preserved for the next generation. A summer camp can give a child independence, friendships and memories they carry with them long after the season ends.

Photo courtesy of Franklin Savings Bank

Outdoor recreation also creates opportunities for families to participate together. When children see the adults in their lives getting outside, trying new things, showing up for community events and caring for shared spaces, they learn that recreation is not separate from community life. It is part of how we connect with one another, build traditions and develop pride in the places we call home.

We are fortunate to have access to mountains, trails, lakes, rivers, forests, fields and four full seasons of outdoor possibility. But access does not happen by accident. It takes schools, nonprofits, volunteers, businesses, municipalities, families and community partners working together to make sure these opportunities are available, accessible and sustainable.

Because when we invest in outdoor recreation, we are investing in more than fresh air. We are investing in healthier kids, healthier adults, stronger families, local economies and the future of Maine.

Outdoor recreation does not have to be expensive, planned, or perfect to be meaningful, here are some simple ways you can get outside.

– Start small with a walk after dinner, a picnic lunch, or spending some time on the lawn.

– Visit a nearby trail, park, playground, lake or athletic field.

– Let kids take the lead by choosing the activity, whether it is biking, exploring, building fairy houses, tossing a ball or looking for wildlife.

– Try something new as a family, such as hiking, paddling, fishing, skating, skiing, snowshoeing or joining a local fun run.

– Bring everyday activities outside, including reading, eating, homework, games or quiet time.

– Make outdoor time social by inviting friends, neighbors, grandparents or extended family to join you.

– Look for outdoor concerts, festivals, farmers markets, races, field days, youth programs and community recreation events.

– Support the organizations and volunteers who maintain trails, recreation areas, youth programs and outdoor community spaces.

– Check Franklin Savings Bank’s community events calendar to see what is happening in your area.