Hatching Chickadee
Living in Maine comes with so many wonderful advantages — quiet neighborhoods, a strong sense of community, and the kind of natural beauty you just can’t find anywhere else. From forest trails to sparkling lakes, there’s wilderness in every direction, and peace in every season. But one challenge that many Maine families face is access to support services — especially when it comes to speech and language development. Waitlists can stretch for months. Some families drive over an hour for a single session. Others end up connecting to providers across the country, receiving teletherapy from companies based in Texas or California.
While it’s a gift to have those distant options, it’s even more meaningful to have support close to home — from someone who understands your community, your lifestyle, and your child.
As a mother and community member in rural Southern Maine, I knew I needed to be the change I wanted to see. Our children are eager to play. Our parents are eager to learn. And right in our own backyards, we’re surrounded by the most incredible natural resources. Why not bring them all together?
My husband, a Registered Maine Guide, launched his outdoor education programming in 2019 and began visiting homeschool groups to teach wilderness skills. I watched the way kids lit up when they were outside — focused, curious, connected — and my brain eagerly grabbed onto the idea.
What if there was a way to offer speech and language support through the lens of a guide? What if we could bring therapy into the woods, into the rhythm of the seasons, and into the heart of the community?
My body and brain have always felt calmest among the changing seasons — outside, where the world slows down and speaks in softer ways. I always noticed how nature itself communicates: the rustle of wind through leaves, the rhythm of footsteps on a trail, and the familiar call of the chickadees — one calling out, another responding.
It reminded me of what I love most about speech and language: connection. The back and forth. The shared understanding. The joy of being heard.
I began to notice it with my own children, too. They were different outside than they were in our house — more regulated, more curious, more themselves. Their bodies moved freely. Their minds felt open. It was clear how much they needed nature to support their growth, their regulation, and their well-being.
That was the missing piece. If my children — and so many others — thrived in the open air, why should therapy be limited to four walls?
I started searching — looking for programs, ideas, something that combined nature with meaningful speech and language support. But everything I found felt far away, both in distance and in purpose. Nothing quite matched the vision I had: a place where children could grow their communication skills while moving, exploring, and connecting outside.
Then, just when I was about to give up, I saw a post in a speech therapy group that stopped me in my tracks. It was about “The Therapy Adventure” — a training program for becoming a certified outdoor therapist. I clicked. I read. I felt that familiar spark. This was it. The piece that pulled it all together.
Less than a month after forming Chickadee Chatter, I dove into the training. I began learning about the importance of nature connection, triadic approaches that bring together child, adult, and environment, and how so many nature-based activities naturally support mindfulness, emotional well-being, and communication.
It was everything I had hoped for — and more. I wasn’t just building a practice. I was creating a space where children could thrive in the ways they were meant to: through play, through presence, and through the healing rhythms of the natural world.
Now, nearly a year later, Chickadee Chatter has become more than a practice — it’s a safe and welcoming space for children to grow, both indoors and out. Here, communication support is rooted in connection. Children are guided through their passions, strengths, and interests, not forced into a one-size-fits-all model.
Whether we’re building towers out of rocks or plastic, sitting by a toy campfire in the office or the real one outside, gazing at the sky or drawing rainbows on paper — every moment is an opportunity to build confidence, connection, and communication, one meaningful interaction at a time.
Looking back on the decision I made just one year ago, I’m filled with gratitude — for the winding path that led me here, for the families who’ve trusted me, and for every small voice that’s taken flight through this work. Chickadee Chatter was born from a hope to do things differently — to lead with heart, with nature, and with the belief that every child deserves to be heard. And now, watching it grow, I know we’re only just beginning to hatch what’s possible.
